Dial 911 For Microsoft?

Operator, can you please connect my call? And no, I do not want an upgrade to Windows...or Office...or my cell phone operating system...or my TV set.

We've all become accustomed to the fact that when it comes to buying an operating system or software, you basically have three choices: Microsoft, Microsoft, or Microsoft.

Now word comes down that Microsoft will ultimately dominate VoIP as well. Info-Tech senior analyst Carmi Levi warns that Microsoft is in the process of tying all of its multimedia technologies together in a strategy to strategy to dominate the VoIP market..

Can it be possible? Will we all be sending more of our dollars Microsoft's way?

Well, yes and no. When it comes to the enterprise, it's a safe bet to assume that at least part, if not all, of your VoIP solution will involve Microsoft. The Redmond giant has made a series of quiet, behind-the-scenes move in the last year to dominate enterprise VoIP. It's released the Live Communications Server (LCS) 2005, the Office Communicator 2005 integrated Voice over IP (VoIP) and instant messaging (IM) client, and the SharePoint Portal Server. It's also made partnerships and alliances with leading telecommunications equipment vendors like Alcatel and Siemens. All that is aimed squarely at your corporate network.But it won't be a big player in the consumer market. Telecom and cable giants own the pipe into your home, and they'll increasingly offer hard-to-pass up deals combining Internet, TV, and VoIP services. Vonage will fade over time. And Microsoft won't make a dent there.

But when it comes to the enterprise, welcome to all Microsoft, all the time.