During the first half of 2015, Microsoft Lync will become Skype for Business with the addition of new features.
Acquired in 2011 for an amount of 8.5 billion, Microsoft has been integrating Skype, the system of telephone and video calls by internet, to its services. After integrating certain services, including Windows Live Messenger in Skype, Microsoft looked at Lync, its communication system for professionals. In 2013, Lync login was integrated into Skype for Windows and Mac versions.
Microsoft is now going further. Indeed, the group has just announced that the professional solutions launched on first semester 2015 will have Skype for Business and non plus de Lync. The group announces "a new customer experience, a new version of the server and updates to Office 365".
Microsoft has kept some elements of Skype and Lync, including the answer and end icons, and add video from Skype, but also keeping the active call button in a small window.
As for Lync, the new service will keep all of its features, but improved. For example, content sharing will always be possible, as will call transfer, which will be simplified with a single operation.
In addition, Skype for Business will be equipped with new features. Among other things, it will integrate Skype directories and allow video calls to be made.
Launched in the first half of 2015, Skype for Business will be automatically available to users ofOffice 365. Those who use Lync Server 2013 will only have to update the software to use it.
By unifying Skype and Lync, Microsoft wants to bring together "the familiar and loved Skype experience with the security, compliance and control that Lync offers businesses to create the most trusted and trusted communications platform to do things together."
Photo: © Microsoft.
