Step 1. Evaluate Your Organization's Requirements for Communicator Web Access

[This is preliminary documentation and is subject to change. Blank topics are included as placeholders.]

Microsoft® Office Communicator Web Access is a server that provides access through a browser-based client to Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2. The 2007 R2 version of Office Communicator Web Access enables users to access the instant messaging, presence, and conferencing features in Office Communications Server 2007 R2 through a Web browser without installing a software desktop client or connecting through a virtual private network (VPN).

As a browser-based client, Communicator Web Access can be used on computers running a Windows® operating system, an Apple Macintosh operating system, or a Linux operating system. Furthermore, Communicator Web Access can be configured for internal access, external access, or both.

For a list of supported operating systems and Web browsers, see Communicator Web Access Client Requirements.

Communicator Web Access Features

Office Communications Server 2007 R2 and the 2007 R2 version of Communicator Web Access build upon the foundation that was established by Office Communications Server 2007 and Communicator Web Access (2007 release).

New Features

The 2007 R2 version of Communicator Web Access includes the following improvements over the 2007 release:

• User interface customization options. Administrators can customize the Communicator Web Access client login page, as well as tabs and menus displayed in the Web client.
• Support for distribution groups. Users can add distribution groups to the contact list and exchange instant messages with those groups.
• Audio conferencing. Users can initiate and receive multiparty audio conference calls (calls in which there are at least two other participants) by providing the Communicator Web Access client with their local telephone number. Communicator Web Access connects the user’s telephone to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and then initiates calls to other conference participants by working with the Audio/Video Conferencing Server included with Office Communications Server 2007 R2.
• Desktop sharing. Users can initiate desktop sharing sessions using the Communicator Web Access client.
• Hosting for Dial-in Conferencing Web page. Communicator Web Access hosts a Web page for the users of dial-in conferencing. The Dial-in Conferencing Web page displays dial-in conferencing phone numbers. The Dial-in Conferencing Web page also enables users to manage their audio conference passcode, personal identification number (PIN), and reservationless conference information, including conference ID, and audio conference passcode for external callers.

For details about new Communicator Web Access features, see Communicator Web Access Enhancements.

Unsupported Features

Users of the 2007 R2 version of Communicator Web Access have access to many of the same features that are available in the Office Communicator 2007 R2 desktop client. For example, users can manage contacts, create and edit a personal note that is displayed to contacts, search for users, communicate with federated partners, set call forwarding on their desktop phone, and redirect incoming VoIP calls. However, there are some features that are only available to users of the Office Communicator desktop client.

The following Office Communicator 2007 R2 features are not supported in the 2007 R2 version of Communicator Web Access:

• Communicator (VoIP) audio/video calls
• Click-to-call integration with Office Communicator Phone Edition
• Call delegation*
• Microsoft Office Live Meeting integration
• Microsoft Office Outlook integration
• Response Group Service functionality
• Team Ring functionality*
• Contact location information
• Dynamic filtering of contact search results
• HTML rendering in the conversation history
• Drag and drop functionality