Chapter 23. Mac Client

Although Lync Server 2013 is an impressive platform, most users will experience Lync Server 2013 through only one, maybe two if you count mobile, of its many clients. Microsoft has gone out of its way to provide clients for most of the larger platforms. Microsoft Lync:Mac 2011 is the Mac-based client that enables users to access the client-side functionality of Lync Server 2013. The client was first released midstream for Lync Server 2010 and is updated for Lync 2013. The client includes the following functions:

• Instant messaging

• Presence

• PC-to-PC calls

• Enterprise Voice functions

• Video conferencing

• Web conferencing

• Desktop and sharing

As such, this chapter covers the more commonly used functions of the Microsoft Lync:Mac client and should act as the basis of end-user training that most administrators want to provide to their user community to ensure successful adoption of Lync Server 2010 among Mac users.

The Lync:Mac client has finally nearly reached parity with the Windows client, but there are still a few key features missing. We intend to cover the good, but we’ll also review the bad, providing an honest analysis of Microsoft’s Lync for Mac solution.

It’s important to point out that the Microsoft Lync:Mac client isn’t the same as the Microsoft Messenger client that installs as part of Office 2011. Microsoft Messenger cannot connect to Lync and is meant for the pubic IM services provided by Microsoft. Microsoft Lync:Mac is an add-on to Office 2011 that allows for connectivity to Lync 2010 and Lync 2103 and offers the additional integration into Office 2011 applications.