Tom Keating : VoIP & Gadgets Blog
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Lync

Microsoft Lync 2010 for iPad 2.2 Released But No VoIP or Video

June 29, 2012


Microsoft recently released Lync 2010 for iPad v4.2. Features include rich presence, instant messaging, audio conferencing, and calling features, but surprisingly no VoIP or video conferencing. Instead it uses a callback mechanism for the voice calling.

You can connect to Lync conference calls with a single touch, without requiring long numeric passcodes or conference numbers as well as make and receive calls using your Enterprise Voice (Lync ID) number only, enabling you to connect with others using a single, consistent identity.


Skype Integration with Microsoft Xbox 360 & Lync is Slow Going

May 29, 2012

Microsoft's purchase of Skype for $8.5 billion was considered a risky move considering the failure of eBay's acquisition of Skype, which did not result in any synergies between these two companies. The New York Times gives some interesting insights into the inner workings of Skype within the Microsoft juggernaut. For one, the article states, "Microsoft gave Skype a longer leash than it grants most of its divisions, even allowing Mr. Bates to work in Silicon Valley." Apparently, Skype is the only Microsoft division located almost entirely outside Microsoft's Seattle-based headquarters.

The article goes on to explain that Tony Bates, the head of the Skype division, uses a Apple MacBook Air and not a Microsoft operating system.

HP Aims to Simplify Unified Communications Deployment

March 26, 2012


HP today announced two new offerings that aid in the rapid adoption of   unified communications (UC) solutions from Microsoft and Polycom. The new offerings include HP AppSystem for Microsoft Lync, a turnkey platform designed to expedite Lync deployments, and a customizable HP and Polycom Rich Media Communications (RMC) solution for video and collaboration.

Although many organizations are deploying Microsoft Lync, not everyone is embracing it. One reason is that internal staff lacks expertise or can dedicate time to deploy UC.

Ensim Adds Support for Lync Server 2010 Multi-tenant Hosting Pack

March 20, 2012


Ensim Corporation today announced support for Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Multi-tenant environments allowing enterprises who wish to host Lync in the cloud to have a a powerful deployment tool at their disposal. Ensim Unify Service Provider Edition now offers full support for Microsoft Lync in multi-tenant environments for messaging, presence, web and video conferencing, and telephony with enterprise voice. With Ensim Unify's ability to allocate resources physically and logically, service providers using Lync Server 2010 Multi-tenant Hosting Pack (Lync Hosting Pack for short) can support small or large deployments in multi-tenant mode or can dedicate a single server to a single organization and allow custom SIP integration for each organization - all while managing Lync as a single platform.

Ensim Unify Service Provider Edition offers service providers and a complete, centralized, relational platform that manages creation, activation, configuration, and administration of an entire hosted application and cloud service offering. 


Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Updates

March 2, 2012

Microsoft released some updates for Microsoft Lync Server 2010, Microsoft's unified communications server platform. You can download the cumulative update here.

Here's a list of updates released for Lync Server 2010:

KEMP Load Balancer Certified for Microsoft Lync Server 2010

February 14, 2012

KEMP Technologies today announced that its LoadMaster hardware-based and virtual appliance load balancers are now approved for Microsoft Lync Server 2010.  If you recall, I spoke with Kemp last year about their Exchange 2010 load balancer, so adding Lync load balancing certainly rounds out their Microsoft portfolio. KEMP’s LoadMaster products offer server load balancing, optimized application delivery and built-in SSL acceleration. These features enable the LoadMasters to seamlessly integrate with Microsoft's Lync server pools.

TMC Showcases the Top 40 "Newsmakers" at ITEXPO

February 2, 2012

There is a lot of news (product launches, new versions) being made at TMC's ITEXPO, some of which I've already covered (Digium, Xorcom)... ITEXPO has a record number of exhibitors that have unveiled new products and services at ITEXPO in Miami.

There have been many competing shows over the years, most notably VON, which suffered an untimely demise. ITEXPO and VON were the two best shows focused on VoIP and IP communications.


Microsoft Lync 2010, Asterisk & Skype Integration Tutorial

December 28, 2011

I came across an excellent tutorial on installing and integrating Microsoft Lync 2010, Asterisk and Skype. The tutorial covers installing AsteriskNOW within a virtual machine on Windows, so you don't even have to have spare hardware lying around to install Linux + AsteriskNOW on. The tutorial mentions integrating with Skype using Skype for Asterisk (SFA), which unfortunately was killed earlier this year. You can of course use Skype Connect (formerly Skype for SIP) to create SIP trunks, but the integration isn't as "tight".
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