Microsoft has thrown its hat into the enterprise voice over IP (VoIP) ring as it predicts the number of users will more than double in three years.

Speaking at the VoiceCon Spring 2007 event earlier this week, Jeff Raikes, president of Microsoft’s business division, claimed VoIP costs will halve in three years as systems shift from hardware to software.

He also predicted around 100 million people – twice the number of existing business VoIP users – will be able to make phone calls using Microsoft Office applications within that timeframe.

“Software is set to transform business phone systems as profoundly as it has transformed virtually every other form of workplace communication,” Raikes said. “Over time, the software-based VoIP technology built into Microsoft Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator will offer so much value and cost savings that it will make the standard telephone look like that old typewriter that’s gathering dust in the stockroom.”

He added the software giant plans to ship the public beta-test version of Office Communications Server 2007 - its VoIP and unified communications server - and Office Communicator 2007 – its unified communications client – later this month.

In addition Microsoft has revealed that for the first time it is making the interoperability specifications for Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007 available to its partner network, saving end-user customers the cost of ripping and replacing their existing telephony systems.

“We’re embarking on a software transformation similar to what we saw from the mainframe to the PC,” added Raikes. “With a shift of this magnitude, there will be tremendous opportunities for our industry partners worldwide.”

Further reading:

Telcos to lose $18bn to VoIP by 2011

Tesco expands into VoIP market