One of the little known features of Office Communicator is the ability to make consultative transfers.  Very often we’ve been asked to include this feature, however it’s already included!

As background, a consultative transfer is a common scenario where before transferring a call to someone you want to contact the person you’re transferring to first to ensure they are able to take the call. Let’s walk through this scenario to show how this is accomplished using Office Communicator.

Marc Boyer, a client of mine, has called me and is inquiring about the project we are working on.

As I don’t have the experience in this specific project, I start a new phone call with Steve Chang from the Contact List, the project manager for this specific project.   When I start the new call to Steve, Marc’s call is automatically put on hold.

Steve has indicated that he is free to take the call, so I return to Marc’s conversation window and click on the Transfer Button. The transfer menu automatically includes people I’m currently talking to, so I’m able to select Steve Chang from here.  

While the call is transferred I can see the status from both Marc’s and Steve’s conversation window.  After the transfer has completed both windows are closed :)

The beautiful part about Office Communicator is that you are not just limited to consulting using a phone call.  Next time you want to consult someone before transferring, try using an IM. 

With Microsoft® Office Communicator 2007 R2, do the following to receive phone calls:

Answer a phone call

In the phone call invitation alert, click the left pane. The alert appears in the bottom right of your computer screen.

Redirect a call

Click the Redirect button, and then select an option from the menu.  If you choose to redirect a call to an instant message, a call rejection message is sent to the caller and the Conversation window opens so that you can send the caller an instant message.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

Following the release of Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 in January, the Communicator team continued to work on additional features and improved upon some of the existing ones.  Everything is now in an update that's ready to use.

One of our goals with this update was to make it easier to join conferences while on the go. Instead of using conference dial-ins and  entry codes, you can now join conferences with the single click of a button. This capability is available for all meetings scheduled using the new UC Conferencing capability in Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2.  As you can see in the screenshot below, the process is quick and simple. When you open a UC conference invitation in Outlook Mobile, you will see a “Join Conference” option.  Clicking on this option will automatically connect conference participants to the call as authenticated users.

Still subject to roaming charges? We have added an option to help you avoid them. When you are outside of your provider’s network, Communicator will not log in to a roaming network. As soon as you are back in your provider’s network, Communicator will log in automatically for you. All you have to do is select the option and Communicator will take care of the rest.

We’ve also done some work to get Communicator Mobile ready for the Windows Mobile 6.5 release this fall. A new plug-in will integrate nicely with the Home screen. In addition to looking good, it will show your presence status and the number of ongoing conversations.

Another benefit of Windows Mobile 6.5 is that it gives you the capability to make a call via work (the ability to place outbound calls using your work identity) directly from your phone dialer.  With this enhancement users can dial extension numbers to call their colleagues.

The team also improved the overall experience of making calls via work. In the previous release, you made your call via work and then answered the incoming call to complete the connection. Now Communicator Mobile completes the connection for you by automatically accepting the incoming call.

How to get it

The Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 update is accessible via your mobile phone at www.GetCoMo.com  or on the Microsoft Download Web site.

Marc Boyer

You can use Microsoft® Office Communicator 2007 R2 to make one-click phone calls to contacts in your Contact List. You can also call optional numbers by clicking the options arrow to the right of the Call button.

Make a one-click phone call

In the Contact List, click the contact’s Call button.

Call an alternate phone number

In the Contact List, click the arrow to the right of the Call button, and then click the number you want to call.

Enter a phone number to call

Type the number in the Search box, and then click the Call button next to the number as it appears in the Search Results box. You can enter an internal phone extension, an external number, an alphanumeric number such as 425-555-TAXI, or a contact’s name.

Invite someone to a call

In the Conversation window, click the Invite button, and then select a contact, enter a name, or enter a number to call.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

For audio (phone) conferencing, you need a headset, or speaker and microphone, or USB audio device connected to your computer For audio/video conferencing, you need a webcam connected to your computer.

Adjust phone and video

Microsoft® Office Communicator 2007 R2 automatically detects and selects the preferred phone and video devices for you. However, before you start placing and receiving calls, you may want to adjust your phone and video devices. Click the Menu button in the Office Communicator Title bar, click Tools, and then click Set Up Audio and Video.

Where to find more information

For more detailed information, visit the Office Communicator online Help. (Click the Menu button, click Help, and then click Microsoft Office Communicator Help.)

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

In Microsoft® Office Communicator for Java, to send an instant message to someone who is in your Contact List do one of the following:

•        From Online Contacts select Options, select Send IM.

•        From Online Contacts, select the person, select Details, and then select Send Instant message and select Send IM.

To select between conversations

1. From the Conversation window, select Options.
2. Choose Contact List. This option is only available if you are in multiple conversations. Choosing this will take you to the All Contacts tab of the Contact Manager window where you can select between conversations.

To switch to a call

1. From the Conversation window, select Options.
2. Choose Switch to Call.

When you switch to a call the default calling option is a Work call.  You cannot participate in an IM conversation until the call ends.  If there is no Work call choice provided under options, you can open that person’s Contact Card and choose a number to make a direct cellular call.

To add someone from your Contact List to a conversation

1. From Options, select Invite Someone. The Online Contacts window open.
2. Choose the person you wish to contact

To add someone not in your Contact

List to a conversation

1. From Options, select Search and Add.
2. From the Search Corporate Directory window, enter the alias in the Enter name to search by text box, select E-mail address, Display name, First name, or Last name in the Find by list, and then select Search.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

In Microsoft® Office Communicator for Java, once you sign, the updates to show retrieving contacts saved on phone. Offline contacts from the phone are fetched and displayed first. Presence updates come from the server. Once updates are complete, you have access to all of your contacts through tabs in the Contact Manger screen. This includes Contacts, Online Contacts, Conversations, Groups, and Phone Contacts.

To view detailed information for a contact

To view a person’s Contact Card, select a person’s name from any screen in the Contact Manager window. From any of these screens you have the option to click on a contact and view that contact’s Contact Card.

From the Contact Card you can:

1. Select a phone number and then either call using your cellular network or make a Work Call.
2. Send an instant message to the contact by highlighting the person’s IM address and then selecting IM.

To find someone

From any of the windows within the Contact Manager, do one of the following:

•       Type the person’s alias into the Search box, select Options, and then select Search Directory.

From the Search Corporate Directory window, enter the person’s alias in the Enter name to search by text box, select E-mail address, Display name, First name, or Last name in the Find by list box, and then select Search

To set My Status

1. From the Contacts window, select Options, and then select Set My Status.
2. Select a status option.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

In Microsoft® Office Communicator for Java, the settings page has three tabs: General, Calling via work, and PIN lock. On the General tab you can set options for: New IM Alerts, Turn on Logging, Show call warnings. On the Calling via Work tab you set your call back number. On the PIN lock tab you can reset your PIN, which will then require you to log you off and log back on.

To set your notification alerts

1. Select Options, select Settings, and then select the General tab.
2. Scroll to check box for New IM Alert.
3. Choose Select to select or clear the check box.

To set your call back number

1. Select Options, select Settings, and select the Calling via Work tab.
2. Enter your phone number in the text box.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

In Microsoft® Office Communicator for Java, the main window is divided into the Conversation Area and the Contact List. A conversation can be a phone call, a conference call, or an instant message. By paying attention to the Incoming, Active, and Pending conversation areas, you can easily manage multiple conversations at once.

To sign in

1. Scroll to Domain/Username, and then enter your domain name and user name in the specified format.
2. Scroll to Password, and then enter the password for your domain account.
3. Optionally, select Remember password if you do not want to enter your password every time you sign in to Communicator.

Enter the Server Address provided by your administrator.

To use special characters

1. Press the ASTERISK (*) key to display the special characters screen.
2. Find the character you want by scrolling through the list, and then press the middle soft key to select it.

To configure your PIN

The first time you sign in, you can enter a 4-digit numeric PIN for offline access, keypad lock, and the Save password feature (optional). Enter the 4 digit numeric-only PIN twice for confirmation. You can change this at any time by selecting the PIN Lock tab of the Settings screen.

To sign in/sign out

1. If you chose Remember Password on a previous sign in, press Sign In and enter your PIN on subsequent sign-ins.
2. From the Contact Manager window the next screen. Otherwise, you will have to re-enter your password on, press Sign Out. This will sign you out and return you to the sign in screen.

To make emergency calls

The first time you sign in, the system gives you a choice of how to conduct emergency calls. This is just a notification to default to the cellular network for emergency calls.

To reset your PIN

1. Select Options, select Settings, and select the PIN lock tab.
2. Enter your four-digit number in the first text box.
3. Re-enter it in the second text box. Select Save.

To lock/unlock the phone

1. From the Options menu, choose Lock. This will lock your phone, requiring you to enter your PIN before you can use it. If you do not use the phone for five minutes it will automatically lock.
2. To unlock the phone press Unlock and enter your four-digit numeric PIN. You have five chances to enter your PIN correctly. After that you will be returned to the Sign In screen to re-enter your credentials.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

With Microsoft® Office Communicator Mobile you can send and receive instant messages with the people in your Contact List or in your organization’s address book.

To send an instant message

1. In the Contact List, click the name of the person to whom you want to send an instant message.
2. Click Send Instant Message.
3. Type your message, and then either click Send or click the center select key on your mobile device.

To invite others to the instant message session

In the Conversation window, click Menu > Invite Someone.

Do one of the following:

•       Under Contacts, click the name of the contact you want to invite, and then click Select.

•       Type the e-mail address of the person you want to find, and then in Search Results, click the name of the person that you want to invite.

To call someone during an IM session

If you are engaged in an IM session with another contact in your enterprise or with a federated contact, you can escalate the IM session to an Enterprise Call.

1. In the Conversation Window during an IM session, click Menu > Call.
2. Click Work or another available call option.

To end an instant message session
In the Conversation window, click Menu > End Conversation.

To handle an incoming message
When you receive an IM invitation, an alert appears.

Do one of the following:

•       Click Chat to accept the message. Type a response in the message entry area and then click Send.

•       Click Ignore to decline the invitation.

To switch between multiple IM conversations

With Communicator Mobile, you can conduct multiple IM conversations at the same time. To switch between conversations, do one of the following:

•       In the Conversation Window, click Menu > Conversations, and then click the conversation you want to resume.

•        In the Contact list, in the Current Conversations group, click the conversation you want to resume.

•       Click the Left/Right scroll options on the center select key of your mobile device.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

In Microsoft® Office Communicator 2007 R2, in addition to setting your presence status, you can share presence information with others by creating a personal status note.

To set a personal status note

1. In the Contact List, click Menu > My Note.
2. Type a message to let others know more about your presence status, and then click OK.

To clear a personal status note

1. In the Contact List, click Menu > My Note.
2. Click Menu > Clear Note > OK.

Users who have you on their Contact List can see your personal status note. To see the personal status note of a user on your Contact List, view the user’s Contact Card as described in the Viewing and Using the Contact Card section of this Quick Reference Card.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

Microsoft® Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 can automatically set your presence status by detecting your current activity on the mobile device or by gathering information from your Microsoft® Exchange Server calendar if you are also signed in to Microsoft Office Communicator on your desktop. For example, if you have a meeting scheduled on your calendar, Communicator Mobile will automatically set your presence status to In a Meeting. If the back light on your mobile device turns off, Communicator Mobile will automatically set your presence status to Inactive after a predetermined interval of time

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

Microsoft® Office Communicator provides a set of personal presence

attributes that you can customize and make available to other contacts to help them communicate with you. As shown in the following illustrations, presence attributes include your presence status and a personal status note..

To view your presence status

•       In the Contact List, click Menu > My Status. Your current presence status is indicated by a check mark.

When you are signed in, your current presence status is also displayed next to your name at the top of the Contact List.

To change your presence status

1.    In the Contact List, click Menu > My Status.

2.    Scroll to the presence status that you want others to see, and then click Select.

To block a contact

1.   In the Contact List, click the name of the contact you want to prevent from communicating with you.

2.   Click Menu > Access Levels > Blocked. You will appear as Offline to contacts that you block.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

With Microsoft® Office Communicator Mobile, you can control the type and amount of your presence status and contact information that others see by granting access levels.

1.    In the Contact List, click a contact.

2.    On the Contact Card, click Menu > Access Levels, and then click the access level. If you click Blocked, also click OK to confirm. You can select one of the following access levels:

•  Personal contacts see all published contact information, including home and mobile numbers.

•  Team contacts see published work and mobile numbers, plus schedule and availability details, and can interrupt you when you are busy.

•  Company contacts see work contact information, plus basic schedule and availability.

•  Public contacts see your name, title, company, e-mail address, and limited availability.

•  Blocked contacts see your name and limited contact information, but cannot contact you through Communicator

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing

With Microsoft® Office Communicator Mobile 2007 R2, you can search for someone by e-mail name, and then initiate a call, send an instant message, view the user’s Contact Card, send an e-mail, or add the contact to your Contact List.

To search for someone

In the Contact List, click Menu > Find/Add Someone. Type the person’s e-mail address in the Find by e-mail address box, and then click Find. Under Search Results, click the name of the person you want to contact or add to your Contact List, and then do one of the following.

•       To add a contact, click Menu > Add Contact, select the group where you want to add the contact, and then click OK.

To call the contact, send an instant message or an e-mail, click Select and then click an option on the Contact Card.

Do you have a tip or a trick to share? Send e-mail to trainuc@microsoft.com or leave a comment below.

Neeti Gupta

Product Manager, UC Technical Audience Marketing