Microsoft improves Live Communications Server 2003
NetworkFusion | at | by Mike
As instant messaging and presence products have become prevalent in corporations, Microsoft has taken the instant messaging engine out of Exchange 2000 and turned it into a stand-alone product, Live Communications Server 2003.
All IM functionality was removed from Exchange, so if you're looking to upgrade to Exchange 2003 and want to keep the IM, you'll also need to buy LCS. (However, Exchange 2000 licenses covered by Microsoft's Software Assurance program allow you to receive LCS licenses when you upgrade.) We recently tested LCS and found it to be much better than the IM in Exchange 2000, but perhaps too limited for those looking to purchase an IM package as a separate system.