<p>Network World - Cisco chose the eve of Microsoft's first Lync conference to attack the Microsoft unified communications platform as incomplete when compared to Cisco's enterprise UC offerings.</p><p>Cisco has launched what it calls a frank and direct conversation and a weeks-long debate about what's important when IT executives decide which platforms to choose, and in its initial salvo finds Microsoft lacking in three areas:Microsoft doesn't provide phones, video endpoints, voice and video gateways, networking and cloud PSTN connections -- leaving customers to find them elsewhere, increasing cost and complexity. It has no clear path for cloud deployments that support the same functionality as on-site Lync deployments. Microsoft's Surface tablets and laptops compete against other hardware vendors, which poses a conflict of interest when it comes to supporting bring-your-own-device programs.</p><p>[ BACKGROUND: Lync moves closer to proverbial PBX replacement</p><p>CUSTOMER STORY: Microsoft delivers missing Lync for telemed project ]</p><p><a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/021913-cisco-microsoft-266822.html">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news/cisco-launches-unified-communications-campaign-against-microsoft-107797">Cisco Launches Unified Communications Campaign Against Microsoft</a> (TechWeekEurope UK)</p><p><a href="http://www.ucstrategies.com/unified-communications-strategies-views/what-people-want-in-collaboration.aspx">What People Want in Collaboration</a> (UCStrategies)</p><p><a href="http://www.fierceenterprisecommunications.com/story/microsoft-preps-lync-conference-competitors-launch-attacks/2013-02-18">As Microsoft preps for Lync conference, competitors launch attacks</a> (FierceEnterpriseCommunications)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=de_e9Dlt17C9xIMRphXbpzMZrXrDM&ned=us">17 additional articles.</a></p>