Microsoft preps Web front-end to IM server

InfoWorld | at | by Mike

Companies using Microsoft's Live Communications Server 2005 will be able to provide Web access to the enterprise instant messaging system with a component the Redmond, Washington, software maker is currently developing.

The component that will open up LCS 2005 to browser users will go into a private beta, or test, period in mid-July and will become generally available around the end of 2005, a Microsoft official said Tuesday.

Microsoft hasn't settled yet on pricing or licensing details for this server-side component, called Office Communicator Web Access, said Ed Simnett, group product manager at Microsoft's Real Time Collaboration group.