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Today, Microsoft officially launches Microsoft Lync, the next generation of Microsoft's unified communications software that enables people to connect in new ways, anytime, anywhere! I'm excited that with this launch, we provide a glimpse into what will be an integral part of the overall Office 365 experience. With Lync Online, Office 365 customers will be able to make every engagement face-to-face whether from across the hall or across the globe.
To learn more about Lync, head on over to http://lync.com/ or the Microsoft News Center beginning at 8:00 am PST.
We've been running Lync internally for months now, and I have to say, I just love it! The ability to start impromptu meetings in seconds, sharing desktops or only certain programs, makes getting a quick look or advice on one of my blog posts super simple. I can switch from IM to voice, to video and even app/desktop sharing seamlessly, all in the same window in seconds. And if I want to add more people to the call, I just "drag and drop" their name right from my friend list to the IM/call window. And when a call is dragging on and I need to run to another meeting, I just click a button and take the call with me on my cell phone. I rely on it heavily to do my job every day, and can't wait to share this great experience with you with Office 365.
So what do you think? How can Lync help you get your work done? Are you excited for Office 365 yet?
Thanks for reading!
-Allen, Office 365 Product Manager
Comments: (13) Collapse
Great news. I'll admit, I'm a bit more confused now. Its not entirely clear if the Lync Online Enterprise subscription is all a small business user would need to enable voice/phone features or if there is still a local Lync Server prerequisite.
Exciting news today related to how Microsoft is helping enable customers to connect with coworkers and
@JohnCz: Voice/Phone features require a Lync server at this time, which falls under the most comprehensive SKU we offer at $27 per month per user.
Where can I find specific info on bringing Voice/Phone to my organization desktop. Our Mitel PBX/IP system is coming up for lease renewal in March 2011.
@Gary: I would read the Lync homepage Lync.microsoft.com, or the services description here ->
www.microsoft.com/.../details.aspx
@Allen_MSFT: I am really hoping in your 11/22/10 post reply about voice capability when you mention a Lync server is required at this time, that you are saying an online voice option, or option to connect in SIP lines or a VOIP service is in the works. I think this would be such amazing software to limit the small business community. I can see MS either benefiting from greater acceptance or sharing in the potential revenue stream of offering small business a way to bring voice functionality into Lync online. I know that is one MAJOR limitation with the current communicator.
@jonnyjmp: Yes, we plan on bringing full voice functionality into Lync Online. Right now, it is fully available with Lync Server, which integrates seamlessly with Office 365.
There is a great discussion about Lync and voice on our LinkedIn Page, take a look:
www.linkedin.com/.../How-does-Lync-connect-Public-3724282.S.40316583
@allen_msft thanks for the info!! I will join in on that linkedin page. Really looking forward to all the big things happening this year.
I will be upgrading a client from SBS2003 to SBS2011 soon. They have offices all over BC and would like to do video conferencing and online training. Will Office365 be an all or nothing service? IOW, Since they'll already have Exchange 2010 and SharePoint 2010 in house with SBS2011, would they be able to just use Lync online? At what rate?
@Henri: Yes, you can buy each and all of our services as standalone products. Lync Online has two levels:
1) IM, messaging, presence, audio and video - $2 per user per month
2) virtual meetings - $6.50 per user per month
Does Lync Online support multiple user profiles? Our biggest problem with Communicator/Live Meeting in BPOS was that it only worked internally. If we wanted to run a LiveMeeting with a client (using the client's own in-house OCS), we had to disable our user accounts' connections to the BPOS server. And then re-enable them afterwards before we could communicate internally. This was a massive problem for us and the reason why we don't use BPOS any more. If Lync Online supports both internal and external use of Communicator/Live Meeting without having to toggle the settings each time (it takes 2-3 minutes for each change), then we'd definitely use Office365.
@Steven: Lync works with both Live Meeting and other Lync deployments. Default is set to only your domain, but in the admin console it takes 15 seconds to add other domains to federate with. Once this is complete, you shouldn't have any issues IM'ing or doing meetings across domains/companies.
Thanks for the swift response. Sounds good - I look forward to trying it out!
Comments: (loading) Collapse