Download Free Lync Server 2010 RTM Trial from Microsoft

The launch of Lync Server 2010 is now just minutes away, but fact is that the RTM bits for the successor of Office Communications Server are already available via the Microsoft Download Center. Customers can grab a trial version of Lync Server 2010 and start testing the capabilities brought to the table by the next generation unified communications solution from the software giant, including complete presence, instant messaging, conferencing and enterprise voice.

There are a range of downloads available, but testers should start with either Microsoft Lync 2010 Trial (32 Bit) or Microsoft Lync 2010 Trial (64 Bit), depending on their infrastructure.

Both releases are offered for evaluation purposes only, and will expire after a total of 180 days of testing.

“New capabilities include:

•A new user interface that offers improves usability.

•Contacts enhancements that make it easier to find people and keep track of your contacts.

•Expanded sharing and collaboration features, including application sharing, whiteboard and annotation tools, polling, and PowerPoint presentations.

•Recording and playback for meetings

•An improved meeting join experience

•Call quality checks and diagnostics,” Microsoft stated.

The Redmond company is also offering the Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Trial for download. This is an ISO image weighing in at 1.52 GB which is designed to offer customers both SKUs of the UC platform, namely Enterprise Edition and Standard Edition.

However, there are additional downloads offered by the software giant related to Lync, including Lync Server 2010 SDK; Lync 2010 Attendant (32-bit and 64-bit); Lync 2010 Group Chat; and Lync Server 2010 Group Chat Admin Tool.

Kirk Koenigsbauer, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Office Division highlighted these Lync Server 2010 features:

“1.Unified experience. Go from an instant message, to a voice call, to a video call, to a meeting, to a shared whiteboard session – all within the same Lync 2010 experience.

2.One-click web conference. Use Outlook to set up a web conference with one-click of the mouse.

3.Connect with family. While you’re travelling, use Lync to start a high-definition voice and video conversation with any Windows Live Messenger user around the world.

4.Hush that annoying meeting participant. When someone has poor audio on a conference call or lots of background noise, Lync will identify which phone to mute to improve quality – and productivity.

5.Device switching. Switch between your head-set and phone in the middle of a call with device switching. Use that same head-set to make a phone call using WiFi on an airplane.”

Microsoft Lync Server 2010 RTM is available for download here.