Microsoft enters contextual communications arena

I seem to have had my head in the clouds to much these last few months. I just became aware of the Outlook Social Connector for Outlook 2010. Even though it is designed for 2010 versions for 2003 and 2007 will be available from live update early 2010.

So far the holy grail for email and social communications was really how communications were related, in other words "contextual" communications. We all know the frustration of trying to find the contact details, previous emails and attachments of people you are communicating with.

So far the holy grail for email and social communications was really how communications were related.

Now imagine if you had instant access to all that including their latest tweets, linkedin updates, facebook feeds, contact information and more (thanks to the outlook social connector API). Enter the age of contextual communication.

A lot of people will say "aaah this sounds like Xobni" and yes there are some 400 000 of you out there and 20% of Microsoft employees. Microsoft made a failed, rumoured to be in the range of $20m, bid for xobni in april 2008. interestingly xobni now has mayor investment from Blackberry Partner fund as well as Cisco, Cisco touting that its a perfect fit for their webex online meeting platform.

However OSC is really all that xobni is and so much more, it integrates seamlessly with Sharepoint, Skydrive, Windows Live, Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook and thanks to the API the possibilities are endless.

Microsoft seems to take Social media quite serious and with this launch has brought social media into everyday business.

Its very clear that in 2010 Social Media in business will force businesses to review their current and outdated internal social media strategies.