Microsoft has completed their testing of SQL Server 2008 R2 and Lync Server 2010 and has found the database to be compatible. This is great news for companies that have an existing SQl 2008 R2 environment and have had to in the past setup a new SQL server/cluster just for Lync Server. The official blog from Microsoft may be found here.

Lync 2010 Web Scheduler Resource Kit Tool

Microsoft released April 15th the conference Web Scheduler for Lync 2010. The web application is nearly feature identical to the OCS 2007 R2. Using a web browser, non-reoccurring meetings may be created, managed, and email invites sent all from the web client. This creates an additional level of functionality for non-Windows Outlook clients, but provides no added value for users running Outlook on Windows as the current add-in for Outlook already configures and schedules meetings.

The setup and configuration is super-simple with a single MSI that installs the virtual websites under the Internal and External sites on your Lync server running web services. The documentation included is simple to follow and includes the necessary steps for configuring outbound email as well. user authorization is required on the site unless you allow email relay from the particular server IPs.

Download the resource kit utility here.