14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has decided to rename Lync to Skype for Business, planning to offer enterprises a mixed solution that offers the best of both apps, with the center focus on communications.
Skype for Business will come with all current capabilities of Lync, but also adds new ones, the company says, so existing customers won't lose the familiarity factor when the renaming process completes.
“For example, transferring a call now takes only one touch or click instead of three,” the company explains.
At this point, Lync already supports instant messaging and audio calling with Skype contacts, but after the merger is completed, the resulting Skype for Business will also offer video calling and access to Skype user directory, Microsoft has added in the official announcement today.
“In the first half of 2015, the next version of Lync will become Skype for Business with a new client experience, new server release, and updates to the service in Office 365. We believe that Skype for Business will again transform the way people communicate by giving organizations reach to hundreds of millions of Skype users outside the walls of their business,” it says.
Features coming from both clients
By integrating Lync into the Skype series of products, Microsoft is trying to offer business users a better solution for staying in touch with partners and employees, thus borrowing some of the features from the official Skype client.
For instance, the Skype icons for calling, adding video, and ending a call will still be there, which should provide some sort of ease of use for all those who installed the VoIP client before.
“We’ve added the call monitor from Skype, which keeps an active call visible in a small window even when a user moves focus to another application,” Microsoft reveals.
Fortunately for existing Lync customers, the rebranding process won't be too painful and everything should go really smoothly if no issues are experienced.
Microsoft says that those who already use Lync Server should be able to update from Lync Server 2013 to Skype for Business Server in their datacenters when the new solution becomes available, without the need for additional customers.
As far as Office 365 customers are concerned, the whole process is even smoother thanks to the fact that everything is based in the cloud. This time, Microsoft will take care of everything, so when Lync is finally renamed to Skype for Business, all changes should be available for all Office 365 customers without any other user input or action.
