Lync Mobile Client & Mobility Server
Microsoft’s communication solution Lync has seen a major update. Lync Mobile Client & Mobility Server are a further step on the way to communicating with a single identity business-wide. Being able to take part in conferences while on the move and checking the status of important contacts with one glance should be welcome to any Lync user.
Contact details as displayed on Lync Mobile Client:
Lync Mobile Client incorporates a whole array of options to communicate. These do not simply include direct audio calls but also Conferencing and Instant Messaging, even simultaneously if needed. Several conversations can be handled at the same time via their respective communication window. Additionally, users can instantly get an overview over missed calls or messages, allowing them to never miss any call and to respond to critical requests in a heartbeat.
The aspect of a single platform-wide identity is an advantage not only in the context of work economic. It also allows a greater protection of the user’s privacy and a stronger means of controlling his or her availability. Not having to give every contact a direct mobile number eliminates the need (which some users have had so far) for separate “work” and “private” phones, as Lync Mobile Client is a powerful tool in channeling business communication. The easy use of Call-Forwarding and the Presence Options factor into this importantly.
When discussing the pile of new features Lync Mobile Client offers, the question may arise if there will be separate licensing requirements. Luckily, customers which have full Voice licensing do not have to purchase extra licenses to be able to use Lync Mobile Client.
Supported mobile devices for the new Client include Windows Phone, Nokia Symbian 3, Android Phone as well as iPhone and iPad. It is important to note, that Android Phone functionality does not yet include several minor features like Call via Work (PSTN Callback).
On the level of technical architecture, referring to the below visualization by Microsoft is probably the best choice. As can be seen, Mobility Service is installed on the central Lync Server, which communicates with the attached mobile devices mainly via Internet and Reverse Proxy, while functions like Push Notification Service are handled via Edge Server.
As a company with experience in Microsoft-based communication solutions since minute one, UC Point has already implemented one of the first ever Lync Mobile architectures. Should you be interested in an infrastructure with such functionality or simply want to upgrade your existing Lync environment, we would be happy to accept such a challenge.
