AT&T is promising a host of new collaboration services based on a five-year agreement with Microsoft it announced last week at SuperComm 2005 in Chicago.
AT&T will deploy Microsoft’s Connected Services Framework (CSF ), which is designed to let service providers aggregate, provision and manage converged services.
“We’re integrating CSF with our service-oriented platform. It will interoperate with our VoIP control layer as well as with our [operational support systems]. This will revolutionize the way next-generation IP collaboration services are developed and delivered,” says Eric Shepcaro, vice president of strategy and business development at AT&T.
Shepcaro says with the Microsoft platform, AT&T will be able to offer “right-time” communication between applications and a multitude of devices on AT&T’s IP network. He says this will include integrating real-time audio applications, as well as applications such as presence and directory services. Applications will become network aware and deliver content to “end users on the right devices, in the right format, at the right time,” he says.
Both companies also are developing services for AT&T, which will include Web cast, Web conferencing, integrated VoIP, presence and messaging, says Chris Molke, director of services over IP at AT&T.
AT&T already offers some of these services, but the carrier says the difference will be in how these services can be used.
“Rather than opening a Web page and putting in your logon and password to upload a document for a Web conference, users will be able to right click on a Word document and pull people into a Webcasting session,” Molke says. Users will have the option of setting up a one-way or bidirectional conference with others who they can see are available to participate, he says.
Word documents are static for most users today, but what AT&T is promising is an interactive platform where, through a portal, users will be able to see the author’s name, where he is, if he’s available and his preferred means of communications.
The carrier says its first set of services will be centered on collaboration tools and are scheduled for availability early next year.
Microsoft’s CSF is a server-based package that uses service-oriented architecture and Web service interfaces. The platform works with BizTalk, SQL and Windows servers.
The company announced its Connected Services Framework in February. Bell Canada, BT and Celcom Malaysia also are deploying the platform.
While Microsoft is working with multiple service providers, Shepcaro says AT&T is the only carrier in North America that will sit on Microsoft’s CSF board, which will set the direction for Microsoft’s CSF product.
Microsoft also is developing a VoIP adapter API that will give customers and third parties the ability to build applications for AT&T’s network.
AT&T plans to integrate its network-based VoIP service called Voice Dynamic Network Application with CSF.
