VoIP Solutions, IP Telephony and Unified Communications: Microsoft Lync 2010 Offers Collaboration, VOIP, Video Conferencing

Microsoft Lync 2010, a rebranding of the company's Office Communications software suite, offers business users an end-user platform for enterprise VOIP (voice over IP), instant messaging, video and audio conferencing, and application and desktop sharing. In keeping with Microsoft's drive toward interoperability, Lync will operate in conjunction with other software platforms such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint and Exchange. Research firm Forrester estimates that the overall unified communications market will be worth $14.5 billion by 2015, a ripe target for any software platform supple and sophisticated enough to appeal to businesses. During a recent demo in New York City, Microsoft executives demonstrated how Lync can allow groups of users to interface via voice or video, all while collaborating on a PowerPoint document. Because Lync integrates multiple services such as instant messaging, video and voice into a single client experience, experienced users can simultaneously juggle multiple tasks and calling partners. New York is also the site of Lync's Nov. 17 launch, and Microsoft hopes that businesses interested in an integrated communications experience will choose the platform over others on the market.??í??í??í