What is Microsoft Lync?
Microsoft Lync is a unified communications platform developed by Microsoft that brings together instant messaging, voice, video, and web conferencing capabilities into one easy-to-use interface. First released in 2010, Lync allows users to communicate and collaborate with each other in real-time across PCs, phones, tablets, and other devices.
Some of the key features of Lync include:
- Instant messaging - Send and receive instant messages with presence information
- Voice over IP (VoIP) calling - Make voice calls directly through the app
- Video conferencing - Conduct meetings face-to-face through high-quality video
- Screen sharing - Share your desktop or applications during meetings
- Whiteboarding - Collaborate on whiteboards in real-time
- File sharing - Easily share files and documents
- Integration with Microsoft Office - Presence and communication capabilities from within Office apps
With its wide range of communication and collaboration tools integrated into one platform, Lync helps improve productivity and workflow for both individual users and enterprise teams. It requires much less technical knowledge compared to configuring separate tools for messaging, calling, meetings, and file sharing.
Microsoft positions Lync as an enterprise-ready unified comms solution that integrates tightly with popular Microsoft productivity software like SharePoint, Exchange, and Office 365. It competes closely with offerings like Cisco WebEx, Google Meet, Zoom, and Slack in providing a feature-packed digital workspace.
Skype, BigBlueButton, Cisco Webex Meetings, Trillian, Adobe Connect, OpenMeetings, join.me, Jitsi Desktop, GoTo Meeting, JumpChat, Twiddla are some alternatives to Microsoft Lync.