Introducing Lync for Mac 2011

Justin MorrisConsultant, Modality Systems

@jm_deluxe

www.justin-morris.net

justin@justin-morris.net

Bridging the gap on the Mac

• Yesterday• Communicator for Mac• An “OCS 2007 R2” experience built on

Mac Messenger.• Today• Lync for Mac 2011, a brand new client.• A “first class citizen” amongst Lync clients.• Delivers online meeting experience.

A Totally New User Experience

• A true Lync experience

• Photos• Escalation

buttons• Participant

List (Roster)

New Features

• Call Forwarding Controls• Improved incoming call notification• Deflect to mobile/voicemail

Meeting Join Experience

• Online meeting add-in now in Outlook

• Create and join Lync online meetings on Mac

Meeting Experience

What’s missing

• No tag for status change alerts• No feeds, conversation history or voicemail

tabs.• Photo control is limited• USB audio device support is still clunky.• Conversation history is in a standalone store,

not in Outlook.

Infrastructure Requirements

• Will connect to:• Lync Server 2010• Office 365

• Will not connect to OCS 2007 R2.• Requires Mac OS X • Leopard (v10.5.8 or later)• Snow Leopard (v10.6 or later)• Lion (v10.7 or later)

• Requires Office for Mac 2011 SP1.

Things to be aware of

• Certificate problem on 10.7.2 (iCloud) OSX Lion update – requires workaround.

• Problems with Cisco AnyConnect VPN client – still outstanding with Microsoft PSS.

• Problems seen so far signing into Office 365.http://blogs.technet.com/b/toml/archive/2011/10/11/lync-for-mac-failing-to-sign-in-to-office-365.aspx

• Doesn’t play nice with bots + extension windows.

Key Takeaways

• Fully test the client to ensure it meets your Mac users’ requirements.

• Ensure their expectations are reasonable in comparison to the Windows client.

• If using voice, determine what device users will use. iPhone/iPod headset works great (not “optimised” but better experience than USB device).

Questions?

I love MS clipart :P