Other New Features and Capabilities of Microsoft Lync 2010
* More complete set of voice features supported, including Forward, Transfer, Hold, Call Park, E911 and others.
* Integrated natively with Active Directory to provide access to contact database..
* Connections can be initiated directly from the Contact Card (i.e., electronic business card).
* Mobile and web access is available over leading browsers and platforms.
* Other IM networks supported.
* System scales up to 10,000 users per server and 80,000 users per pool.
* Lync Server 2010 can be used in an on-premise, hosted or combination (hybrid) environment.
* Client and server APIs available for developers.
* Allows existing A/V infrastructure use in room systems and conference solutions.
* Enhanced Virtual meetings: schedule a meeting from Outlook; join the meeting though Lync 2010 via phone, PC, or Web interface. Includes integrated audio and video for presentation sharing. Allows Lync ad hoc meeting using IM to an Online Meeting.

Future for Unified Communications and Microsoft Lync 2010
Lync Server 2010 funnels the ways people communicate with each other to a single intuitive interface that IT can manage in a unified way. Because Microsoft Lync groups the most common ways of communication (phone, email, IM, desktop sharing, Office applications) into one platform to be ported to any device, communication is simpler with real-time presence and collaboration.

Bottom Line
Microsoft Lync 2010 is a resilient, scalable, feature rich Unified Communications system. Microsoft Lync 2010 should be on the short list for enterprise communication infrastructure upgrades. Quality third party peripherals from Aastra, Polycom and snom will help Microsoft achieve more market acceptance at the enterprise desktop. Third-party hardware such as the survivable branch appliance UX 2000 from NET will enable branch offices the resiliency needed for enterprise communications.

Rob Smithers is CEO of Miercom, which is the leading independent testing center that provides unbiased thorough engineering test analysis to trade publications including No Jitter. Additional information on Miercom can be found at www.miercom.com or message us at reviews@miercom.com.

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