Lync Server at a High Level

Lync Server is an integrated suite of communications tools that enable point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communications across various mediums. Lync Server enables simple instant messaging between two or more users for simple text-based communications. Lync Server also enables voice chat between clients. This voice chat is entirely IP-based and simple to configure. This enables end users on the same network to communicate between each other. This functionality can be extended beyond simple point-to-point conversations. Through the use of media gateways or a PBX, one can effectively convert an IP conversation on one side to a traditional phone call on the other. This is an example of Voice over IP. By transcoding through a gateway, a VoIP endpoint can talk to a traditional Public Switched Telephone Network to allow communications to a non-VoIP endpoint.

Lync Server also enables more complex methods of conferencing such as audio/video conferencing. Lync Server enables users to use anything from a simple web cam to a dedicated video conferencing system. Users on both sides of the conference can see each other. In large A/V conferences, Lync Server enables one to separate the voice and video into two different mediums to allow for higher numbers of participants.

An extension of the video conferencing is the capability to share applications with other participants. One participant can share an application or even an entire desktop, granting other users control so that they can interactively work on the same document or presentation.

Earlier versions of Communications Server introduced the concept of presence where one can view the status of their contacts in real time. This presence has been extended into other applications such as Microsoft Office, Outlook, and SharePoint. Presence enables you to quickly determine whether another user is available before going through the effort of trying to contact that person. You can literally look at a document created by a coworker that is stored in SharePoint and based on the information showing the document owner, that coworker can also see the status of that document owner and contact that document owner with a single click. This click can start an IM conversation or a voice call. It doesn’t matter where the document owner is because the call can either ring a desk phone, a mobile device, or a laptop, assuming the coworker is logged into Communicator.