Thursday, 30 August 2007

Microsoft Acquires Parlano

Microsoft Corp. has said it will acquire Parlano and add its group-chat software to a broad vision for integrated office communications programmes...

Microsoft Corp. has said it will acquire Parlano and add its group-chat software to a broad vision for integrated office communications programmes.

Microsoft, based in Washington state and Parlano, based in Chicago did not disclose financial details of the deal but said they expect it to close in October.

Parlano makes MindAlign group chat programme, which lets users log on to a permanent chat room and send messages in real time, or search through an archive of the conversation later.

Microsoft has been working to integrate software for e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, office and mobile phones. Under this "unified communications" vision, PC users will be able to see whether the person they want to contact is available by IM but not by phone, for example, or move seamlessly from an e-mail to an IM conversation to a video chat.