51 things I LOVE about Microsoft Lync - Part 2
So let me start my next post with one of my favourite and little known Lync gems.
11) The Windows Mobile client.
Now right about now you’ll probably be wondering what I’m on about or even thinking – hang on a mo – it’s not out yet! So let me explain.
I’m using an HTC HD2 with Windows Mobile 6.5 and the HTC Sense interface. I thought I’d try the Windows mobile client for Communicator R2 (the previous version of Lync) and what do you know – it connects to the Lync platform.
I can’t make phone calls through the client but I can still be in touch with people via instant message. (The Lync client for Windows mobile 7 is on its way and is due for release with the release of the ‘Mango’ update)
12) Integration
As you would expect – Outlook works really well with Lync. Your outlook contacts are a key component here. As you type a name in Lync’s search field, it’s not only those names listed in your enterprise but those listed in your contacts as well.
And SharePoint shows those juicy little jelly beans as well… and where ever there’s a jelly bean, there’s the ability to communicate..
13) The Lync API
Speaking of integration – the Lync API lets you integrate with anything you like… as an example, one of our smart little developers has taken this API and used it to show the status of the key members of our tech team in our Network Operations Center console. We have plans to integrate Lync into the support pages of our website..
14) Elevate a communication
How many times have you found yourself in an email conversation that you know is not going to end anytime soon? Stop the one line emails and get on to Lync – not only is it faster – but you can do something about breaking the cycle. Next time you realise you’re heading down the email conversation road – simply elevate the email to Lync chat.
15) Chat subject
And guess what… the email subject flows through to the IM subject – so even if you start am IM chat from an old email, the person is still going to know what the context of the conversation is.
16) and 17) Federation
I’m going take 2 items for this – because I can. Federation makes Lync valuable… really valuable!
Federation is the ability to communicate with other IM networks.
So my first point covers the ability to federate with the public IM networks such as MSN, Yahoo and AOL. Sure there is a cost to obtain the licences to do this, but at 50cents/user/month… you probably spend more on photocopy paper. I believe Google chat is also accessible via the implementation of a gateway.
And my second point is the ability to federate with other Lync installations. Think about this for a sec…
and this also includes Office 365 users, both Customers and Partners.
For some time now we’ve been able to see when our Microsoft Account Manager is available, it’s so easy to send them an IM and we get an immediate response. I can’t remember the last time I left him a voice mail – I don’t need to... I only contact him when I know he’s there.
18) Federation rules
Which brings me to the ability to define who, and how, you federate with these networks. Putting my security hat on for just a moment, I can say that there are ways to limit which networks you federate with, assuming you even decide to turn it on. You can allow, or deny, ALL and then define by exception. On top of that you can define policies that prevent the sending of URL’s or even attachments.
19) Privacy Settings
So now that you have federation in place anyone can see your status and contact details right? - Only if you want them to. When someone adds you to their contact list – you get a nice wee popup telling you that they’ve added you to their contacts, and you get the opportunity to add them to yours and define their visibility of your details. You choose what you want them to see.
20) Block!
I left this off the above list –I figured its worthy of its own point.
So as you’d expect – you can also block “those who are not worthy”… they can still see your name and address – but there’s no way they’ll get through to you.
If you somehow managed to miss my awesome 'Part 1' of this post - check it out here, otherwise stay tuned, I've got 31 reasons to go!!