Microsoft makes available public beta of its messaging and conferencing server

Microsoft made available for download on March 26 a public beta version of Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007, as company officials indicated they planned to do earlier this month.

OCS 2007 is Microsoft's combined instant-messaging/VOIP/audio-video conferencing server, and the successor to Microsoft's Live Communications Server product. The final, shipping product is slated to be available this summer, according to the Softies.

My ZDNet colleague David Berlind has lots more details and video footage of OCS 2007 and the accompanying Office Communicator client software.