Microsoft and Telstra strategic alliance

  • Article

You may have heard today’s announcement regarding the alliance between Microsoft and Telstra.

What does this mean for Unified Comms?

  • Hosted business applications: through Telstra's T Suite portal, it is contemplated that businesses will have access to Microsoft Online Services (e.g. Exchange, LiveMeeting), which will be hosted by Microsoft in the cloud and delivered as a subscription service.
  • Mobile services and devices: an all-in-one mobile email, calendar, contacts, web browser, business software and phone solution including security features, automatic software upgrades, support and data plan is envisaged. Advanced mobile phone fleet management and a new user-interface developed by Telstra giving users one-click access to their frequently used business applications on Windows Mobile phones is contemplated.
  • Unified Communications & VoIP: Integrating Telstra's premium hosted IP Telephony service (TIPT) with Microsoft Office applications, including Office Communicator, creating a set of solutions that makes it easier to control the way businesses communicate.

Read Telstra’s press release here, ZDNet’s coverage here, and Gizmodo’s thoughts here.