OCS 5 day hosted trial - no fuss opportunity to learn

I’ve just completed the 5 day OCS hosted trial and am pleased to report it provided an insight that I would recommend to anyone interested in OCS. The online signup process (https://r2.uctrial.com/) was followed by an email providing logon details, voicemail box numbers and a download link for the desktop Office Communicator client. The daily email outlining key features was clear and consise. Features covered by the trial include:

- Instant Messaging & Presence using the Office Communicator desktop client
- Email & Unified Messaging using Outlook Web Access including voice command access to your inbox and playback of email messages (Outlook Voice Access)
- Peer-to-Peer Voice & Video using the Office Communicator client
- Desktop Sharing
- Web-based IM, Email, Presence & Desktop Sharing using Office Communicator Web Access (this uses a web based client for access rather than a downloadable desktop client… key for workers using home or public computers)

Large enterprises considering evaluating OCS will get evaluation trials from their suppliers quite easily, however if you just want a no fuss trial to understand what OCS is about then the hosted offer will serve you nicely. If you have more time to commit you can also download 60 day trials that you host on your own hardware (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/bb684921.aspx).