Companies and CEOs will be able to see first hand a revolutionary new way of communicating courtesy of Microsoft at a conference held in Bermuda next week.

The Office Communications Server (OCS), which combines back office Microsoft products such as Windows and Office with the latest communications technology, will be on show at the demonstration by Microsoft's product marketing manager for the Caribbean and Central America, José Ramón Díaz Vega, at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Tuesday.

It integrates telephone calls, voice mail and conferencing communications into computer documents, spreadsheets, instant messaging, email and calenders.

Microsoft is teaming up with Applied Computer Technologies (ACT) to offer the product to the Bermuda market, with users getting the chance to experience it for themselves at the event. So far 60 attendees have confirmed, with upwards of 75 expected on the day.

The Unified Communications Technologies platform is Microsoft's first move into the voice-over market, while ACT will be the only partner on the Island to provide this designation, having sent some of its engineers over to Phoenix, Arizona for training in the new system. About 20 companies have already signed up to the product.

"ACT is very excited to be the exclusive Bermuda Microsoft channel partner to bring OCS to the market," said David Bart, general manager of ACT. "In having one of the largest IP telephony install base on the island, working with Microsoft in the area of unified communications is a natural extension for our organisation.

"We have already made an initial investment in the technology and have Microsoft trained engineers ready to demonstrate the capabilities of this powerful software application."

Mr. Vega, who will be giving a live demonstration of how the new technology works at the event, said there was no better testament to the product's success, than it was already being used within Microsoft's own offices and among its employees.

"There are no gimmicks or images, this is actually a live service that we all use in Microsoft as employees to communicate all around the world to talk to each other," he said.

He said the beauty of the new service was that it offers big cost savings, including charges, particularly on long-distance calls, as well as improving productivity.

"Since we have been using this system our costs are three-quarters of what they were about six months ago," he said.

Features of the new product range from having important contacts at your fingertips, being able to see if they are available, to the ability to communicate with not only your own colleagues, but also other corporations and clients.

Prices start around $400 for a standard server to $2,000 or $2,500 for an enterprise server.

The event kicks off with a cocktail reception between 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., with the main presentation taking place at 6.15 p.m.

For more information about the conference, contact Denise Wilson at ACT on 278-5235 or e-mail dwilson@act.bm