Microsoft provides enterprise instant messaging to wireless users Users of Microsoft’s Live Communications Server (LCS) will be able to access this enterprise instant messaging platform from mobile devices, the Redmond, Washington, vendor plans to announce Tuesday.Microsoft is developing a client front end to LCS that will go into beta testing in the second half of this year and that will be based on the Windows Mobile operating system.The mobile front end’s user interface will be based on LCS’ new PC-based client, Microsoft Office Communicator 2005, formerly called Istanbul, a Microsoft executive said. “With the new [LCS] Windows Mobile client, we’re providing instant messaging and presence to wireless users … and creating a user experience that is reminiscent of what we have on the desktop,” said David Sokolic, group program manager in Microsoft’s Live Communications Group.The development of the mobile client responds to companies’ increasing demands to give users, particularly those who travel a lot, access to LCS while they are away from their desks, Sokolic said.The mobile client will be designed to run over a variety of wireless networks and will feature an application programming interface (API) for third-party developers, he said. The mobile client will run on Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition and Windows Mobile 5.0. Three types of devices will immediately be supported: the Pocket PC, Pocket PC Phone Edition, and Smartphone.Meanwhile, Research In Motion is announcing Tuesday that it is developing an LCS client front-end for its BlackBerry wireless device that is expected to be available by the end of this year. Software Development