For business owners, the most important thing they can have is a clear and concise way for employees to communicate with each other. Having a computer-based system can make collaboration much easier by allowing users to share documents without having to resort to email. There are many programs available that allow employees and their managers to communicate, but few offer the same managed resources as Lync services.
Basic characteristics
The communication program comes with several basic functions that users are already familiar with. Voice over IP (VoIP) and video conferencing allow employees to discuss specific projects without having to use the telephone service dial-up method. The program also includes instant messaging for those who need to throw a quick question or comment to a colleague and don’t want to have to resort to email, which can get lost in a flooded inbox.
advanced features
In addition to basic communication features, Lync services have a number of advanced features designed to work with other office suite products and can access contact lists from those programs. With integration with document writing programs, the software allows coworkers to see who is working on the same document, allowing them to use Messenger to collaborate on the project.
In addition to being able to see who is working on a document, this software offers other collaborative tools such as whiteboarding and desktop sharing. Users can also add voting lists to a presentation which gives the meeting an interactive twist as all participants can vote during the poll and see the results instantly.
Of course, one of the best advanced features is that the system can store past conversations. This allows users to go back and view the discussion even after stopping the program without having to configure any additional settings to save the information.
Communications management
Lync services only work well if they are managed correctly. This software is primarily a client application that requires Lync Server to run. The client side is what’s found on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, while the server controls things from the company’s data center infrastructure. Server-side software allows managers and administrators to delegate granular control of user accounts. It also gives administrators a holistic view of the messaging system, allowing them to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
This communication tool can be installed and configured by an experienced IT or other administrator. Some settings must be included correctly for the software to work smoothly with other programs. Managing and deploying Lync services and all of its features can be a lot for a business. Many of them choose to host their service with a cloud computing provider who can help them maintain the system.