Chapter 1. Getting Started with Microsoft Lync Server 2013

For more than 10 years, Microsoft has been focused on a vision of providing an integrated software suite that allows users to communicate and collaborate in new and innovative ways. Lync Server 2013 represents the latest iteration in the product line that has been designed to fulfill that vision. As an alternative to traditional voice-only systems such as Private Branch Exchanges (PBX), Lync Server instead offers a software-based infrastructure that combines voice, video, instant messaging, conferencing, and collaboration managed from a single interface. The end result is a unified communications system that can easily adapt to the changing needs of an organization, and can be extended to provide new functionality as it becomes available.

In this new world of unified communications, users are no longer tied to a single device as a communication endpoint. They can choose to use a traditional-style desk phone, a headset attached to a laptop, or a mobile device to place and receive calls. In addition, plenty of flexibility exists in how these devices are provisioned to users. For example, instead of being assigned a phone that is tied to a specific phone number, a user can simply log in to any supported phone with appropriate credentials, and make use of that device for communications. Incoming calls are then routed to this device, and can also be routed to any other device that the user is logged in to, either simultaneously or one device at a time, depending on preference. At the same time, Presence information is published to allow a user to determine whether another user is available even before the caller picks up the phone to call the other user.

Lync Server allows users to choose and change their forms of communications seamlessly as the situation demands, using a single interface. For example, Dave and Jason are collaborating on a project, and Dave has a question for Jason. Dave looks at his Lync client and sees that Jason is listed as available. Dave sends Jason an instant message asking whether he has a moment to answer a question. Jason replies, “Sure.” After a few messages, Jason determines that the subject is a bit too complicated to be explained via IM, and suggests that they have a voice conversation. Dave then escalates the session to a voice call with a single click, and Dave and Jason are able to speak directly. After a few minutes, Dave determines that he would like to see a document that Jason has referred to, and asks whether Jason could show him the document. At this point, Dave adds video to the call, and Jason uses application sharing to display the document as he continues talking.

The communication session just described could as easily take place with the two individuals being at coffee shops or at the beach using Internet-connected laptops, as opposed to a traditional corporate setting. Lync Server doesn’t require participants to reserve or schedule video conferencing resources ahead of time, nor does it require users to be in a specific location, or even to use specific hardware. Lync Server allows users to dynamically control their own communications and to be available almost anywhere they can get an Internet connection, at almost any time.