Microsoft Response Point phone software for small businesses set to RTM

Microsoft is expected to announce on October 2 that it has released to manufacturing (RTM'd) that its Response Point small-business phone-system software, according to sources close to the company.

When Microsoft initially announced Response Point, it said the first phone units would come from three OEMs, D-Link, Quanta and Uniden. According to sources, Uniden has decided against producing Response Point handsets. (I've contacted Microsoft for comment; so far no word back.)

Response Point phone systems from Quanta and D-Link are expected to be priced at under $5,500, according to sources.

 Update: Looks like the tipsters were on the money. Here's Microsoft's October 2 Response Point press release. No Uniden -- but there is a new Response Point OEM on the list -- Aastra Technologies.

Response Point is just one of a number of communications products Microsoft and its partners will be launching this month. Microsoft is gearing up for its Office Communications Server 2007 rollout on October 16. Microsoft will be launching not just OCS 2007, but also the accompanying Office Communicator 2007 client, Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack (SP) 1 and the new version of Office Live Meeting on that date.