What is Lync?
Microsoft® Lync® is an enterprise-ready unified communications platform. With Lync, users can keep track of their contacts’ availability; send an IM; start or join an audio, video, or web conference; or make a phone call-all through a consistent, familiar interface. Lync is built to fully integrate with Microsoft Office. The Microsoft Lync 2013 desktop client is available for Windows and for Mac and mobile versions are available for Windows Phone, iPhone/iPad, and Android devices.
Instant Messaging (IM) and Presence
Users can send messages to each other in real-time using the instant messaging (IM) features in Lync and can share status information with one another via presence. Presence is a collection of information about a contact in Lync that includes availability, willingness to communicate, additional notes (such as location and status), and contact options.
Lync Meetings
Lync Meetings bring together traditionally separate components of desktop video, audio, and web conferencing, content sharing and room-based video conferencing solutions into a single, unified experience.
Enterprise voice capabilities
Lync Server provides enterprise voice capabilities that can enhance or replace traditional PBX systems. These capabilities include common calling features such as answer, forward, transfer, hold, divert, release, and park, along with Enhanced 9-1-1 calling* for North America, support for analog devices and a broad range of both IP and USB user devices from partners. Users can access these features over the Internet without using a VPN connection.
Lync across devices
Lync provides a familiar and consistent user experience across a variety of devices. Using Lync, users can transition among PC, smartphones, tablets, phones and room systems with ease.
Connect to Skype
With Skype now part of the Microsoft family, new possibilities open up for extending unified communications scenarios to the hundreds of millions of people who use Skype. This combination will enable Lync customers to connect and collaborate with suppliers, customers, and partners, relying on the richness of Lync and the reach of Skype.