Communications Server 14 News

Microsoft Lync Server 2010, previously known as Communications Server "14", is already proving popular with a queue of early adopters forming.

A Microsoft spokesperson said: "More than 20 partners and over 100 customers have enrolled in early adoption programs to get an experience of the enhanced Lync features. And at least 20,000 seats will be active before the final product launches."

The product is at its final stage of testing with a Release Candidate now available for download.

Kirk Gregersen, senior director for Microsoft OC, said: "Lync 2010, previously known as Communications Server "14", will unify enterprise voice and allow instant messaging as well as video, web and audio conferencing all within the same back-end infrastructure."

Recently Microsoft has partnered with unified communications vendor Polycom, to offer VoIP and IP-based solutions as an alternative to PBX-style voice communications.

Microsoft will ship the final release of Lync Communications Server 2010 by the end of the year. They are renaming many of their products:

- Office Communications Online is now Lync Online
- Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 is now Microsoft Lync 2010
- Office Communicator Web Access is now Lync Web App.