BT TEAMS WITH MICROSOFT TO DELIVER REAL TIME TRADING COLLABORATION ACROSS THE ENTERPRISE

- BT to demonstrate new capabilities for the first time at SIA 2006 -

New York, June 21, 2006 – BT today announced that it is working with Microsoft to develop a unified communications capability, designed to allow all participants in the financial trade cycle to share information regarding their presence, and preferred means of communication in real time. BT’s Real Time Collaboration capability is one of a series of packaged ITS Myriad applications, designed to enable users to quickly begin realizing the benefits of the Virtual Trading Organization and to deliver increased trader effectiveness.

BT’s ITS Myriad Real Time Collaboration capability is designed to bring the rich communication capabilities of Microsoft Office Communicator 2005, a unified communications client that brings the richness of the PC together with the familiarity and voice capabilities of the desktop telephone, to the trading floor. By utilizing the ITS Myriad event bar within Office Communicator 2005, users will be able to see when vital colleagues are on the phone and either choose to call them as soon as they become available, or make contact with them via the most appropriate alternative channel such as email or instant messaging. Integration with a firm’s corporate directory also makes it easier to find the next best alternative contact, should the primary contact be unavailable.

The Real Time Collaboration capabilities can also be extended to mobile devices equipped with BT’s ITS Anywhere application for remote trading. Users can monitor the availability of all colleagues and easily stay in touch with them, whether they’re in the office or traveling – helping to ensure that no trading opportunity is missed. The technology also provides a complete audit trail of contacts made between all parties and across all channels, with all conversations voice recorded for compliance purposes.

All communication, including voice calls from ITS.Netrix, a turret or PBX phone, as well as emails and instant messages can be initiated from the ITS Myriad event bar within Communicator 2005 on the desktop, and buddy lists or speed dials can also be listed here – so that the trader has everything he needs at his fingertips.

Rod MacDonald, managing director, BT Trading Systems, said: “BT’s ITS Myriad Real Time Collaboration capability is a key component of our strategy for enabling the Virtual Trading Organization and promoting improved trader effectiveness. Traders are reliant on collaborating with colleagues throughout all stages of the trade cycle – from identifying opportunities through to post-trade resolution. Giving traders the ability to detect the presence of their colleagues across a variety of channels, understand the best way to reach them, and initiate all contacts from their desktop, will be crucial in helping traders develop and execute successful trading strategies in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

“The integration of BT’s ITS Myriad with Communicator 2005 enables real time access between the trading-floor environment with other groups within an organization, such as middle and back-office support groups,” said Marc Sanders, senior product manager in the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft.  “This capability provides additional reach and functionality for securities industries professionals many of whom use Communicator 2005 and BT turrets today.”

BT’s ITS Myriad Real Time Collaboration capability will initially support communication between colleagues within the trading enterprise, but BT also envisages making the technology available for users across different organizations. This will give trading organizations greater visibility of their customers, and other external parties, and help them deliver a more effective service.

About BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries.  Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group’s revenue was £19,514 million with profit before taxation of £2,040 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Further information

Please contact Fleur Sohtz, BT, on +1 917 601 8284 or Sharon Nieuwenhuis, Write Image on +1 973 714 0433, email: sharon.nieuwenhuis@write-image.com. Alternatively you can see BT on booth # 1509 at the SIA show in New York.

Inquiries may also be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre