Lync

Vlync Pilot - Hosted Microsoft Lync Launches

August 31, 2011

VCOMM, a subsidiary of internet telephony provider Coms Plc, a UK-based company, has launched Vlync Pilot, a hosted version of Microsoft’s Lync. Vlync Pilot is a fully managed and hosted Microsoft Lync service that comes bundled with 5 user licences and 5 Polycom handsets (per bundle) enabing businesseses to pilot Microsoft Lync.

Vlync Pilot brings full unified communications functions to the desktop in a hosted setup. Another similar offering is from Workflow Communications who told me back in February to be the only hosted Lync provider offering direct SIP trunking. Features in this hosted offering include: Instant Message conferencing, peer-to-peer voice and video, AV and web conferencing, Federation, desktop sharing, Exchange UM, Outlook Web App, Enterprise Voice and integration into Microsoft Office applications.

Posted in Lync, Microsoft, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

Microsoft front-facing cameras, Skype & Lync Mobile client Coming Very Very Soon

August 25, 2011

Microsoft confirmed Mango Windows Phone 7 handsets would sport a front facing camera as well as Skype integration and a mobile Lync client. The confirmation came via the TechEd event in New Zealand, where two Microsoft employees mentioned that Microsoft's Lync VoIP client also be available on other mobile platforms, including iOS, Android and Symbian. But the Lync client would be first available on the soon to be launched Mango Windows Mobile 7 software.

The employees stated that the mobile Lync client would support both voice and video on Android, Apple's iOS and Windows Mobile 7, explaining "it will dependent on the device, but it will be enabled at some point at time." They pointed out that some devices don't have a front-facing camera so having a videoconference via a mobile Lync client wouldn't necessarily make sense.

The Microsoft Lync client for mobile devices is a long time coming. I was actually told by Microsoft in NYC during a live demo of Microsoft Lync that mobile versions of the Lync client would be coming out "very soon".

Posted in Android, Apple, Gadgets, Lync, Microsoft, Mobile Phones, Skype, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, Wireless

Microsoft Releases July Cumulative update package for Lync 2010

July 27, 2011

Microsoft released a cumulative update package for Lync 2010 with several bug fixes. Thought I'd share the list of fixes. They include:

2571523 A Lync Server 2010 Standard CAL user cannot use certain functionality of a HID device in Lync Server 2010.
2571525 A user receives an "Audio Join” notification message unexpectedly when opening a conversation window in Lync 2010.
2571527 A user cannot enable video in a conference after you assign a conference policy to the user in a Lync Server 2010 environment.
2571529 A PSTN or a PBX call is disconnected without a notification on a Polycom CX600 or Polycom CX700 telephone that is running Lync 2010 Phone Edition
2571530 A Lync 2010 client cannot download the address book file by using a UNC path
2560097 A Lync 2010 conference organizer cannot invite other users to the Lync 2010 conference
2571531 The voice mail LED on a Polycom CX300 telephone does not turn on when you receive a new voice mail in a Lync 2010 environment
2560100 The Enter key is not recognized correctly when you enable Input Method Extension and then perform a search in a Lync 2010 client
2560101 The Presence calendar data does not publish in Lync 2010 after users install update 2496325
2577950 Error message when you try to open a modified Live Meeting item in the calendar in a Lync Server 2010 environment
2577955 A user cannot sign in to Lync 2010 when the primary Front-end server is unavailable in a Lync Server 2010 environment

This update package also fixes the issues that are previously documented in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles:

2517766 A warning message is cut off in a localized version of Lync 2010
2517757 The “Start Recording” command is still available after you transfer audio to a PSTN telephone during a conference call in Lync 2010
2517754 The Outlook.exe process is still running after you close Outlook on a computer that has Lync 2010 installed and that is running Windows Vista
2517747 The Lync 2010 Recording Player window displays incorrect localized language in Lync 2010
2517739 A short audio delay occurs after a RGS agent accepts a call in a Lync Server 2010 environment
2517736 You take over a presentation when you double-click the “Return to Presenter’s View” button in Lync 2010
2517735 "Your online meeting invitation needs to be updated due to changed server policies." message on a computer that has Lync 2010 installed
2517721 Lync 2010 cannot publish the "Presence" calendar data of a user
2517691 A user cannot retrieve a parked call from a paired Lync 2010 client when the orbit number contains "#" or "*"
2517673 Texts in an office application are cut off or the office application does not respond when you copy the texts from a Lync 2010 instant message input window
2503538 Lync 2010 prompts you for credentials when it is retrieving availability data through Exchange Web Services
2500416 The AVModalityPropertyChanged event is not triggered in Lync 2010 SDK
2499613 A Lync 2010 client crashes with an access violation when you click the "A" icon of an emoticon in a conversation
2498410 A user name is still in Lync 2010 after you remove the user account in AD
2497779 "Connection is not established" error message in a Lync 2010 client when an attendee is disconnected from an application-sharing session in a large conference
2464823 The Lync 2010 client crashes during a conference video call that includes ACP users
2520139 Lync 2010 does not prompt you for credentials when the credentials are deleted in Windows Credential Manager
2464821 An Exchange error notification displays in Lync 2010 when an authentication proxy is deployed in a Lync Online environment
2520142 Lync 2010 cannot connect to Lync Online service through a proxy firewall while in automatic configuration mode
2520144 Your instant message is not delivered if your URI is the same as the email address
2464810 A credential dialog box appears or an error message is received when you log on to Lync Online
2464811 The icon of the speakerphone in Lync 2010 is not generic
2464817 You have to press the TAB key two times to select the “Save my password” check box after you type your password in the Lync 2010 logon screen
2464828 The “Learn More” link does not indicate as a selection when you press the TAB key to select it in the “Edit Location” dialog box in Lync 2010
2464840 You are directed to the MSN website when you try to download software that is required to log on to Lync online by using Lync 2010
2464841 Lync 2010 does not populate your location information automatically
2464842 “Cannot sign in to Lync because this sign-in address was not found” error message during the Lync 2010 logon process when the default user is Lync-disabled
2464845 A Silverlight application for Lync 2010 does not start from a URL address that does not contain the page name
2464850 The conference disclaimer is missing from the “Disclaimer” window when you try to join a Lync 2010 conference by using an Office Communicator Object Model
2464872 Certain text in an invitation email message for an online meeting are displayed incorrectly when you create the invitation email message by using a Hindi or a Kazakh version of Lync 2010
2464873 Your audio and video is enabled automatically when you click “Retry” to rejoin a Lync 2010 Audio/Video conference
2464874 A Lync Online disabled user is not handled correctly during the logon process in Lync 2010
2483227 Your Live Meeting Service presenter password is included in the INVITE message when you start a meeting by using Live Meeting Service in Lync 2010

Download the Lync.msp x86 package.

Download the Lync.msp X64 package.

Posted in Lync, Microsoft, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Polycom Launches CX7000, Microsoft Lync Telepresence Solution

July 11, 2011

Polycom today announced the Polycom CX7000 Unified Collaboration System, what they claim is the "first room video telepresence solution custom-built for full integration with Microsoft Lync." It's an interesting solution that combines a wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, omni-directional full-duplex speakerphone, a high-end camera, and a small footprint PC, which I'm guessing is running some flavor of Windows in order to run the Microsoft Lync client.

According to Polycom, the Polycom CX7000 solution (codenamed “Rally”) features an especially tight integration between the Polycom and Microsoft solutions, with an intuitive interface, simplified UC experience, and more seamless telepresence. The solution offers all the typical Lync features you need: presence, IM, online meetings, content collaboration, etc.

“The power of UC is to eliminate barriers to teamwork and bring people face-to-face. Polycom and Microsoft share a passion for delivering easy-to-use UC solutions that transform businesses into highly collaborative environments,” said Andrew Miller, president and CEO, Polycom.

Posted in Lync, Microsoft, Polycom, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

Spirit DSP and Polycom Ink Licensing Deal on Polycom CX5000

July 7, 2011

Today, SPIRIT DSP signed their fifth licensing agreement with Polycom. Polycom has licensed SPIRIT's product to support quality videoconferencing on the CX5000 Unified Conference Station, Polycom's branded version of the Microsoft RoundTable, which I reviewed here.

As a Polycom-branded version of the Microsoft RoundTable collaboration and conferencing device, the CX5000 system provides engaging group telepresence and also can be used as an analog conference phone.

The Polycom CX5000 Unified Conference Station makes for an engaging group video experience to Microsoft Live Meeting session or to Microsoft Office Communicator conversation. With five cameras and six microphones, the CX5000 is primarily a USB peripheral device that delivers a unique, engaging 360-degree group video experience to Live Meeting 2007 applications, and when used only with Microsoft Office Communication 2007, the client functions as a video switched webcam. Interestingly, there is no mention of support on Polycom's website for the latest version of OCS now called Microsoft Lync. It should work with it since it is a USB webcam, though I heard it may only display the standard active speaker view and not the panoramic 360 degree view.

Posted in Lync, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Skype for Asterisk Killed - The Lowdown

May 25, 2011

In case you hadn't heard, Skype has decided to not renew the agreement for Digium's Skype for Asterisk, effectively killing Skype for Asterisk.

Skype for Asterisk will not be available for sale or activation after July 26, 2011.

Skype for Asterisk was developed by Digium in cooperation with Skype. It includes proprietary software from Skype that allows Asterisk to join the Skype network as a native client. Skype has decided not to renew the agreement that permits us to package this proprietary software. Therefore Skype for Asterisk sales and activations will cease on July 26, 2011.

This change should not affect any existing users of Skype for Asterisk.

Posted in Asterisk, Linux, Lync, Microsoft, SIP, Skype, TMCnet, VoIP

Blue Jeans Network Bridges Skype, SIP, H.323 for Multipoint Telepresence Solution

May 9, 2011

Blue Jeans Network has been quietly developing a new cloud-based video conferencing and collaboration service that bridges H.323 and SIP end-points, PSTN — and even Skype, with the goal of allowing users to connect everything from high-end video telepresence systems like Tandberg/Cisco and Lifesize to web cams running Skype to desktop IP videophones from Polycom, Grandstream, Cisco, and others. This solves a major problem with video conferencing and telepresence since interoperability, while it has improved, still doesn't take into account legacy H.323 end-points or users that only have inexpensive webcams. Blue Jeans Network plans to support Google and Microsoft Lync as well. Their cloud-based service handles the transcoding of audio and video codecs as well as manages the meeting IDs, PINs, etc.

Posted in Cisco, Digital Cameras, Internet, Lync, Mobile Phones, News, Polycom, SIP, Skype, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, Video Hardware & Software, VoIP

Kaspersky Kills Microsoft Lync - No Audio or Video

May 3, 2011

If you use Kaspersky with Microsoft Lync (or OCS 2007), you may be interested to know that Kaspersky can kill Lync's connectivity. Specifically, Kapersky Internet Security's network traffic monitor, called Web Protection in some versions blocks the network traffic. It can kill remote desktop sharing sessions (Microsoft Live Meeting sessions) within OCS/Lync, as well as audio/VoIP, and video. Curse you anti-virus!

Posted in Lync, Microsoft, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Cumulative updates for Microsoft Lync 2010 released

April 28, 2011

Some important updates for Microsoft Lync client were just released as part of KB 2540951.

According to Microsoft, this cumulative update fixes the following issues:

2543532 Credential prompts occur when you sign in to Lync 2010 by using the Lync Online service
2543531 Lync 2010 does not authenticate after you resume the computer from hibernation

This update package also fixes the issues that are previously documented in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles:

2517766 A warning message is cut off in a localized version of Lync 2010
2517757 The “Start Recording” command is still available after you transfer audio to a PSTN telephone during a conference call in Lync 2010
2517754 The Outlook.exe process is still running after you close Outlook on a computer that has Lync 2010 installed and that is running Windows Vista
2517747 The Lync 2010 Recording Player window displays incorrect localized language in Lync 2010
2517739 A short audio delay occurs after a RGS agent accepts a call in a Lync Server 2010 environment
2517736 You take over a presentation when you double-click the “Return to Presenter’s View” button in Lync 2010
2517735 "Your online meeting invitation needs to be updated due to changed server policies." message on a computer that has Lync 2010 installed
2517721 Lync 2010 cannot publish the "Presence" calendar data of a user
2517691 A user cannot retrieve a parked call from a paired Lync 2010 client when the orbit number contains "#" or "*"
2517673 Texts in an office application are cut off or the office application does not respond when you copy the texts from a Lync 2010 instant message input window
2503538 Lync 2010 prompts you for credentials when it is retrieving availability data through Exchange Web Services
2500416 The AVModalityPropertyChanged event is not triggered in Lync 2010 SDK
2499613 A Lync 2010 client crashes with an access violation when you click the "A" icon of an emoticon in a conversation
2498410 A user name is still in Lync 2010 after you remove the user account in AD
2497779 "Connection is not established" error message in a Lync 2010 client when an attendee is disconnected from an application-sharing session in a large conference
2464823 The Lync 2010 client crashes during a conference video call that includes ACP users
2464810 A credential dialog box appears or an error message is received when you log on to Lync Online
2464811 The icon of the speakerphone in Lync 2010 is not generic
2464817 You have to press the TAB key two times to select the “Save my password” check box after you type your password in the Lync 2010 logon screen
2464828 The “Learn More” link does not indicate as a selection when you press the TAB key to select it in the “Edit Location” dialog box in Lync 2010
2464840 You are directed to the MSN website when you try to download software that is required to log on to Lync online by using Lync 2010
2464841 Lync 2010 does not populate your location information automatically
2464842 “Cannot sign in to Lync because this sign-in address was not found” error message during the Lync 2010 logon process when the default user is Lync-disabled
2464845 A Silverlight application for Lync 2010 does not start from a URL address that does not contain the page name
2464850 The conference disclaimer is missing from the “Disclaimer” window when you try to join a Lync 2010 conference by using an Office Communicator Object Model
2464872 Certain text in an invitation email message for an online meeting are displayed incorrectly when you create the invitation email message by using a Hindi or a Kazakh version of Lync 2010
2464873 Your audio and video is enabled automatically when you click “Retry” to rejoin a Lync 2010 Audio/Video conference
2464874 A Lync Online disabled user is not handled correctly during the logon process in Lync 2010
2483227 Your Live Meeting Service presenter password is included in the INVITE message when you start a meeting by using Live Meeting Service in Lync 2010

Posted in Lync, Microsoft, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

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