Microsoft to Acquire Parlano |
| Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)
REDMOND, WA UNITED STATES | |||
Microsoft strengthens unified communications portfolio with leading
enterprise group chat provider.
REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Microsoft
Corp. announced it has agreed to acquire Chicago-based Parlano, maker of
MindAlign, a leading application for enterprise group chat. Microsoft
expects to add Parlano's group chat functionality as a new feature of
Microsoft(R) Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office
Communicator, Microsoft's server and client software for presence, instant
messaging, conferencing and VoIP.
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"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 the Unified Communications
Group at Microsoft. "Parlano's expertise and technology, added to
Microsoft's unified communications offering, will deliver customers the
most complete presence, instant messaging and group chat solution on the
market."
Founded in 2000, Parlano offers group chat technology that enables
people to carry on topic-specific, multiparty instant messaging discussions
that persist over time. Parlano's software is used by companies in a
variety of industries, including financial services, call centers and
technology, to conduct ongoing business-critical conversations.
"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 chief executive officer of Parlano. "The resulting competitive
advantage will be further enhanced as we bring Parlano technology together
with Microsoft Office Communications Server and Office Communicator."
Because Microsoft's unified communications technologies are based on
standards and open protocols, Parlano has been able to create its
technology architecture from the ground up to integrate with Microsoft's
unified communications offerings. Currently, Parlano's MindAlign
application integrates with Microsoft Office Live Communications Server
2005 and Office Communications Server 2007.
After the deal closes, Microsoft will add the group chat functionality
to Office Communications Server and Office Communicator, and plans to offer
group chat as part of the standard client access license for Office
Communications Server 2007 Software Assurance customers. Current Parlano
customers, many of whom already use Microsoft unified communications
software, will have increased access to the breadth of Microsoft unified
communications software.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. The deal is
expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007. Following the
closing of the acquisition, members of the Parlano team are expected to
join the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft's Redmond, Wash.,
campus. Parlano is a privately held company and was represented by
Revolution Partners and Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP.
About Parlano
Parlano is a leading provider of persistent group chat solutions.
Parlano's MindAlign solutions deliver instant, intelligent and persistent
group and topic-based messaging to securely connect employees, customers
and partners with the right people, information and context to execute
business processes more efficiently. Some of the largest companies in the
world rely on Parlano to utilize group chat as a strategic business tool.
Backed by Longworth Venture Partners and Oak Investment Partners, Parlano
supports its customers and partners from its worldwide headquarters in
Chicago, Illinois and EMEA headquarters in London.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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