Microsoft Communicator for Mac 2011 works with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 to provide real-time collaboration between people in different locations. People can collaborate in real time by using several methods of communication, including instant messaging (IM), presence, Web conferencing, and audio/video (A/V) conferencing. Contacts that a user adds to his or her Communicator account can include coworkers in the same company and, if authorized, associates on federated networks.

IM conversations are not limited to conversations with other Communicator for Mac users. With Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Communicator for Mac users can have IM conversations with contacts who use Office Communicator for Windows and public instant- messaging connectivity (PIC), such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger.