Microsoft has done it again - set the bar for voice technology!

Today, Monday September 13, 2010, Microsoft announced the Public Beta/Release Candidate for its upgrade to Communications Server 2007 R2 to the new product name Microsoft Lync Server 2010 (previously called Communications Server "14". There has been a lot of waiting, speculation, and gossip regarding the next version of Microsoft's real-time communications product from name to functionality and have delivered an interesting milestone of a public beta (something that the team has not done since OCS 2007 RTM a.k.a wave 12).

Having used the product for some time now I am happy to finally be able to openly blog/speak about it as I am sure many others are as well. The product is nothing short of amazing from improvements to mobility, voice quality, and overall functionality. Currently I am working on a few OCS/LS engagements so my time this morning is limited but I plan to share some how-to's regarding the product in the next few days. The setup routines are different, the flexibility is greater, the high-availability of voice is what we have been waiting for and yes - it is a PBX replacement now.

Join me in congratulating the Microsoft team in a job well done with expectations of RTM this year, it is an amazing milestone. A link to the product downloads and Microsoft blogs/articles may be found below.

Microsoft Link Server 2010 (RC)
Team Blog
Microsoft Press