Microsoft Lync goes live, threatens UC domination

Microsoft, the software giant with a presence on almost every business computer in the U.S., has just released its latest entry into the unified communications (UC) market with its Lync package.

The new package threatens to displace some of the more established third party UC offerings because of its integration into some preferred business software. Lync is a single platform integrating instant messaging, presence, audio, video, webconferencing and voice. It works seamlessly with favorite business applications like Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Exchange.

The new system features some of the things you'd expect from a UC offering including webconferencing, application sharing, video calling. Some cool features include skill searches to find colleagues with the right backgrounds and activity feeds to check up on what your coworkers have been working on.

Microsoft is also positioning the new package as a stepping stone for getting more companies off their old PBX. Gurdeep Singh Pall, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Lync & Speech Group said in the release that "In addition to transforming how people communicate, IT departments are also looking to Lync to evolve their infrastructure and enhance or eliminate their traditional PBX systems, saving money and saving time."

In conjunction with the release a number of companies in the VoIP industry simultaneously announced the products they've developed to run with Lync. Polycom was first out the door with a a telepresence solution for Lync. Additionally, Global Crossing's SIP trunking solutions have also been certified as interoperable with the new system.

At the moment, anyone can download a free trial version of Lync at http://www.lync.com, and business customers can purchase Lync beginning Dec. 1.

For more:
- see our special feature with some screen shots of the new Lync
- read the release
- read the article

Related news:
Polycom Enables Unified Communications Anytime, Anywhere with Microsoft UC Solutions, Including First Telepresence Solution
Microsoft Lync released to manufacture, goes live in November