Microsoft Corp. has introduced a new product combining the Whale Communications virtual private networking (VPN) software it bought last year with the latest version of its Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA Server), the company said Wednesday.

Called the Intelligent Application Gateway 2007 (IAG 2007), the software will give remote users a way to access Outlook e-mail accounts, as well as corporate applications while outside of the company firewall. Whale's software uses the Secure Sockets Layer protocol and can be used to gain VPN access via the browser.

Microsoft and Whale had offered a combined version of their products since December 2005, but IAG 2007 is the first version of this software released since Microsoft purchased Whale in July 2006.

The software's licensing has been changed to allow customers to pay one price for the Application Gateway and various add-ons like network connectors, software modules and Intelligent Application Optimizers. Microsoft did not say how much it would charge for the new software.

IAG 2007 can be purchased in preconfigured appliances built by Network Engines Inc. and Celestix Networks Inc.