Microsoft Lync 2013 – The Top 5 Benefits for Businesses

Lync 2013 has a variety of benefits that businesses can take advantage of to make internal and external communications more effective and efficient.

Lync, which comes bundled with Office 365 business subscriptions, is Microsoft’s server platform for unified communications. Lync ties real-time presence information with instant messaging, video conferencing, and voice communication, and integrates with Exchange email and Microsoft Office applications.

Here are 5 reasons businesses can benefit from adopting Lync 2013:

1. HD video conferencing

Lync 2013 delivers support for 1080p HD resolution for video conferencing so participants have a sharp, clear display. This provides superior communication both internal and external of your business. Also, external contacts do not need Lync to participate in HD video conferencing.

2. Mobile Apps

Microsoft has developed Lync Mobile apps for Windows Phone, Apple iOS, and Android, so Lync communications are available almost universally. The Lync Mobile apps allow users to instant message, call, or join a Lync Meeting from virtually anywhere. Mobility is more important than ever in the workplace

3. Web app

Beyond the actual Lync client software, and the Lync Mobile apps, Microsoft also introduced a Web app for Lync 2013. Users can join a Lync Meeting from Windows or Mac OS X using a Web browser, and still have access to all of the features of Lync, including HD video, Voice over IP, instant messaging, and desktop sharing.

4. Skype federation

As great as Lync is, you will run into plenty of partners, vendors, and customers who don’t use it. Skype, on the other hand, is a very popular and free communications tool ALSO owned by Microsoft. Lync 2013 extends communications to Skype with presence, instant messaging, and voice capabilities.

5. Office 365

Any size business can take advantage of Lync 2013 as a function of the new Office 365 offering. Lync is not part of the standard Office 365 Home Premium service, but for $150 per user per year the Office 365 Small Business Premium offering includes Lync, as well as Exchange and SharePoint hosted and supported by Microsoft so you don’t have to invest in or manage the backend server infrastructure yourself.

Adam Lee, PEI via PC Mag