Cisco unveils Jabber unified communications tool

A new unified communications application to work across PCs, tablets and smartphones.

Cisco has revealed its latest play into the unified communications (UC) space with a cross platform application dubbed Jabber.

The tool is aimed at business users and incorporates Cisco’s “presence” technology, instant messaging, desktop sharing, conferencing, video messaging and voice.

Jabber is already available or in development for Windows, iOS devices, as well as Nokia, Android and BlackBerry handsets, but will not launch on Macs until the second quarter of this year.

It can also link into Cisco’s own Unified IP devices, WebEx MeetingCenter and TelePresence.

“Regardless of whether customers are using Macs, PCs or mobile devices, they are looking for flexibility in how, where and on what device they can communicate using voice, video and instant messaging," said Laurent Philonenko, vice president and general manager of the UC business unit at Cisco.

“With Cisco Jabber we are responding to this need by providing advanced capabilities and innovative user experiences that are available on the platform and device of their choosing.”

The use of the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) when using presence and IM allows for cross platform interoperability, and Cisco has also incorporated Microsoft Office applications to increase the reach of the tool even further.

This article originally appeared at itpro.co.uk