Microsoft has scheduled a US web conference this week where company chairman Bill Gates is expected to unveil a communications product code-named Istanbul.
The unified system is expected to feature improved links to VoIP and Instant Messaging.
According to a Microsoft announcement, Gates as chief software architect will discuss the "newest wave" of Microsoft Office System real-time collaboration products.
The announcement will coincide with the Von Spring 2005 Conference in California, which focuses primarily on VoIP.
Istanbul is the code name of desktop PC software targeted to link users to Microsoft's Live Communication Server 2005.
Microsoft's Ed Simnett will be featured in a Von panel discussion on the use of IM in supporting collaborative work and integration with existing systems infrastructure.
Simnett is lead product manager for the Live Communications Group in Microsoft's Real-Time Collaboration Group.
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