Apptix, a provider of hosted Microsoft (News - Alert) Exchange email, Microsoft SharePoint collaboration services, and VoIP phone services for small and medium businesses (SMBs), has reportedly announced Office Communicator Mobile service, a unified communications client that extends the reach of Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) secure IM subscriptions to mobile devices.

 

The service is integrated with Microsoft Exchange and enables mobile users to directly access contacts within their Global Address List, and use the application's real-time presence information to learn another person's availability and status. Additionally, users can choose to be alerted when contacts become available.

 

"By extending secure IM to mobile devices, Apptix (News - Alert) enables employees to communicate and collaborate more productively," said Rick Rumbarger, Vice President of Product for Apptix.

 

"Our service provides businesses the freedom to communicate using Instant Messaging from desktop to mobile within a secure environment," added Rumbarger.

 

The service enables users to directly chat from their mobile device, one-on-one or with a group, in secure IM sessions with other Microsoft Communicator users - using a computer or mobile device.

 

Apptix official also clarified that this newly announced service features a rich IM capability with the familiar look and feel of the desktop version of Microsoft Communicator.

 

Reportedly, Office Communicator Mobile service is available for free to subscribers of Apptix's secure Instant Messaging and Web conferencing services, and is applicable for BlackBerry (News - Alert), Windows Mobile, and Java enabled mobile devices.