Microsoft is going full steam into providing Voice over Internet Protocol services and pushing a new road map for unified voice and data communications. Its Unified Communication Product Roadmap and Partner Ecosystem has more than a few prongs to it: Because of improved integration with voice features, the Office Communications Server 2007 takes the place of today's Live Communications Server featuring capabilities including presence-based VoIP call management. Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 now boasts a VoIP softphone and Web, audio and video conferencing. A new product, called Exchange 2007 Unified Messaging, will feature unified email and voice-mail inbox and speech-based access. 

For more on Microsoft's unified road map:
- check out this CIO Today article