Microsoft Announces Response Point Phone System Pricing and Preorders

U.S. small businesses are one step closer to phone technology that is easy to set up and simple to use: Microsoft Corp. has released its Microsoft® Response Point™ phone system software to manufacturing.

Xuedong Huang, general manager for Response Point at Microsoft, said that working alongside D-Link Corp. and Quanta Computer Inc. has helped Microsoft develop a flexible solution that meets the needs of small-business customers. “Response Point helps deliver value to small-business telephony through the power of software,” Huang said. “Our team has worked hand in hand with small-business customers to deliver a new and fundamentally better user experience.”

Customers can preorder Quanta Syspine models beginning Friday, Oct. 5. A complete package that includes a base unit with built-in analog telephone adapter (ATA) and secure gateway, plus four phones, will cost approximately $2,500 (all prices U.S.). Additional phones will be available for $159 each.

In addition, D-Link VoiceCenter phone systems will be available in the fourth quarter of 2007. The VoiceCenter system will include a base unit, ATA and five phones for approximately $2,999. Additional phone lines will cost approximately $149.

Microsoft Financing will also allow customers who purchase through an authorized Microsoft reseller to pay for fully installed Response Point phone systems on a monthly basis, giving small businesses access to advanced phone technology without straining their credit lines or requiring a large upfront investment.

Telecom Leader to Manufacture Response Point Systems

Microsoft also announced Aastra Technologies Ltd. as the newest hardware vendor that will manufacture and ship Response Point phone systems. Aastra, a global leader in the enterprise telecommunications systems industry, will offer complete, end-to-end Response Point phone systems with wireless handset options by next year.

“Response Point is a great addition to our offering, and we are looking to reinforce our relationship with Microsoft,” said David Sayson, vice president of business development at Aastra. “Aastra has a strong expertise in enterprise communications as well as a very comprehensive range of VoIP terminals, including campus wireless handsets. Partnering with Microsoft allows Aastra to expand its line of enterprise communications offerings and provide an affordable solution for small businesses.”

Telephony Software That Grows With Business Needs

Response Point is an integral piece of Microsoft’s comprehensive voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) strategy, which addresses communications and messaging needs for businesses of all sizes through the power and flexibility of software. Response Point’s user-friendly management center empowers an average computer user to set up a phone or make system changes in minutes. And the unique voice-enabled user interface instantly connects employees and customers with the people or information they need.