Microsoft buying group chat developer

Stephen Withers
Friday, 31 August 2007 03:17

IT Industry - Strategy

Microsoft has agreed to acquire Parlano, the developer of enterprise group chat application MindAlign.

"Parlano has been successful in meeting the rigorous communications needs of companies in financial services and other vertical markets," said Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president of Microsoft's unified communications group.

MindAlign was designed to work With Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 and Office Communications Server 2007, and Microsoft plans to add its functionality to future updates of Office Communications Server and Office Communicator.

"Parlano has helped many organizations enhance operations, improve service delivery and increase sales through more effective ongoing group communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing," said Nick Fera, chairman and CEO of Parlano.

The value of the deal - which should be completed by the end of the year - has not been disclosed.