Introducing Lync Server 2010, the next generation of Microsoft Office Communications Server

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September, 13th 2010

Success in today's business world hinges on collaboration—whether it's with other employees, clients, partners, or vendors. Now there's a way to transform every communication into an interaction that is more collaborative, engaging, and accessible from anywhere.

Microsoft Corporation today (on Sep 13th 2010) announced the release candidate of Microsoft Lync, the next generation of Microsoft’s unified communications software that enables people to connect in new ways, anytime, anywhere. Lync is the new family brand for the products formerly known as Communications Server, Communications Online and Communicator, and it also now includes Lync Web App, and Lync Online.

Microsoft has been a proven Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Communication for last five years and this new release will further strengthen Microsoft position.

“Microsoft OCS 2010 R2 has seen year-over-year increased adoption for voice and audioconferencing, and now states that it has 100-plus deployments of over 2,000 telephony users. The next release of OCS, Microsoft Communication Server "14," scheduled for this calendar year, will add several critical telephony functions” – Gartner Group

“Over the past five years we have been on a journey to transform communications with the power of software,” said Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president of Unified Communications at Microsoft. “Lync delivers on this vision by unifying enterprise voice, instant messaging and web-, audio- and videoconferencing into a new, connected communications experience.”

Microsoft Lync can make every engagement a virtual face-to-face meeting, because any interaction can include video and audio conferencing, application and desktop sharing, instant messaging, and telephony. Lync has been designed from the ground up to work with Microsoft Office, SharePoint and Exchange, which helps reduce end-user adoption hurdles and increase return on investment. People can also stay connected to others on a wide range of devices while away from the office and manage their communications and calls in new ways, such as easily moving a call from a PC to a mobile device while leaving the office without disrupting the conversation.

More than 120 enterprise customers and partners are enrolled in the Microsoft Technology Adoption Program (TAP) for Lync, testing early releases and providing feedback, and over 400 unified communications partners are involved in readiness activities, preparing for general availability of the software later this year.

In addition, today more than 30 partners announced beta versions of their Lync-compatible hardware, software and service products. Hardware products include a variety of Internet protocol phones and USB endpoints optimized for Lync. Software solutions include contact centers, call recording, accounting and new applications that incorporate communications right within business processes

Lync Server 2010 offers:

  • A single interface that unites voice communications, presence and instant messaging, and audio/video/web conferencing into a solution that can enhance or replace existing systems.
  • A familiar user experience accessible through Microsoft® Office, Microsoft SharePoint®,
    and Microsoft Exchange.
  • A single identity that connects users to contacts inside and outside of the organization.
  • A consistent experience across PC, phone, web, or mobile that gives users the option to connect
    from many devices.
  • Exceptional security and reliability that works with Active Directory® and Microsoft Forefront®.
  • Interoperability with existing systems for smoother deployment and migration.
  • A rich platform for development, bringing unified communications into custom solutions ranging from business workflows to line-of-business applications.

Now the streamlined communications performance you have come to rely on with Microsoft® Office Communicator 2007 R2 and Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 has just gotten better. Improve collaboration, facilitate easier management, and lower the cost of ownership of your communications systems.

Try the new Lync Server 2010 Release Candidate today!
Download Now

This broad release candidate is the last step toward release to manufacturing and general availability scheduled for later this year.

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/sep10/LyncPR.mspx