14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has extended its latest unified communication offerings to Mac OS X, in addition to Windows.
Lync Server 2010 was launched in November 2010, and the product comes with a variety of UC components, the latest of which was delivered this week.
Lync for Mac 2011 was released to manufacturing on September 8, 2011, according to Kirk Gregersen, senior director in Microsoft's Business Division.
Gregersen underlines that the finalization of Lync for Mac 2011 and its delivery are part of the company’s strategy to provide its UC offerings to additional platforms on top of just Windows.
The software giant had promised that support for more operating systems would be introduced when it launched Lync 2010 last year.
“Starting in October, our Mac customers will be able to experience the integrated communications experience that Lync has become well known for,” Gregersen stated.
“From the updated contact cards to the ability to set up Lync conferences from Outlook 2011 for Mac to enterprise voice features, Lync for Mac 2011 offers Mac users integrated functionality for presence, instant messaging, conferencing and voice and is designed to work with both Lync Server 2010 and Lync Online.”
Lync is Microsoft’s rebranded UC solutions which span Windows Servers, Windows clients and the Cloud, but now also Mac OS X.
Lync for Mac 2011 brings the same instant messaging, presence, conferencing and voice capabilities to the Mac users as have already been available to Windows customers. However, when using Lync for Mac 2011 with Lync Online customers will only be able to use a subset of the features available when connected to Lync Server 2010.
“Lync for Mac 2011 is available to customers as a part of the Office for Mac 2011 Volume Licensing SKU, Office for Mac Standard 2011, or through many of Microsoft’s Licensing programs. Customers can also purchase the application as a standalone volume licensing SKU,” Gregersen informed.
Microsoft Lync Server 2010 RTM is available for download here.
Microsoft Lync Server 2010 SDK is available for download here.
Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Attendee is available for download here.
Microsoft Lync Group Chat is available for download here.
Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Group Chat is available for download here.