Microsoft Lync Server 2013 Part A

This is the first installment in a brief series of blog posts on Microsoft Lync Server 2013 which is based on what I learn on the introductory video training course by CompuWorks on this software. This software which integrates with many of the Microsoft products in particular Exchange Server & Office is all about communication. It works with IM or instant messenging, telephony, email, video chat among others that comprise unified communication in general. You have a status for you to give updates. There is the option of preset status's you can select ie in a meeting or busy. To a certain extent these status updates can be automated ie if away from the computer it will automatically send out busy or will automatically check the calendar to see what you are doing and update accordingly. There is a virtual phone dialler in this program and if you type part of a person's name or number, auto complete will do the rest. Contacts are kept in groups to make it easier to find them. There is typically several of these groups and if you right click groups, click create new group and name it you can create a new one. You can have call forwarding with telephone calls and even have it ring 2 numbers simultaneously to make sure you are able to answer it. If you hover over the contacts icon or photo a menu comes including various options to contact them, ie email or IM etc. You can right click the icon and choose always on top which keeps the communication window visible regardless what work you are doing. When finished you can deselect it to turn this feature off. You are able to share files and format text. It also has emoticons to enhance your message. It can integrate with Powerpoint to show a presentation and you can teleconference so several of you have a similar screen. With teleconferencing more than 2 can be in contact at the same time. You also have a virtual whiteboard within the program for drawing and sharing illustrations. I did stop doing the video training course on Administering Sharepoint as it was too difficult but am enjoying this course and sadly there is only 2 installments to this course.