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Microsoft Lync delivers the most complete Unified Communications solution available to your organisation today. Converge telephony, Video, Conferencing, Instant Messaging, Mobility and Online Collaboration in one solution that is designed for, and seamlessly integrates with your existing Microsoft applications. Microsoft Lync leverages your existing Microsoft investment both technically and commercially – and what better standard to converge on than Microsoft, familiar and used every day by people at every level of your organisation?
Microsoft Lync Functionality
Microsoft Lync enables you to adopt Unified Communications at your own pace, and as per your priorities. It’s possible to leave your PBX in situ and start with Instant Messaging and Presence initially across your organisation, as well as enable peer-to-peer video and online collaboration with a single CAL and client license. Alternatively, start as a PBX replacement and selectively phase in online collaboration capabilities for those that would benefit most. Invest 15 minutes in these videos for the fast-track on the additional user benefits of Microsoft Lync for your organisation:
Instant Messaging & Presence
Migrate from your ring-fenced legacy PBX system to a converged solution. Choose to retain ISDN lines or utilise VoIP, deploy in the cloud or on-premise, and connect sites and remote workers seamlessly, across desktop, phone and mobile. A unified communications platform means simplified infrastructure, increased flexibility, and rationalised ongoing costs.
Enterprise Voice
Migrate from your ring-fenced legacy PBX system to a converged solution. Choose to retain ISDN lines or utilise VoIP, deploy in the cloud or on-premise, and connect sites and remote workers seamlessly, across desktop, phone and mobile. A unified communications platform means simplified infrastructure, increased flexibility, and rationalised ongoing costs.
Collaboration & Conferencing
Empower colleagues to share information swiftly, on their terms, and in the most efficient way possible, one-to-one or on a team basis. Join your organisation together, and build stronger relationships without the necessity of travel and cost. Even connect to partners and customers outside your organisation using voice, video, and web, on demand, for free, out-of-the-box.
How real customers use these capabilitiesMicrosoft Lync is about freedom of choice. Every user will benefit from its capabilities in a unique way based on their role, location, the task at hand, or even simply their personal preferences; and everything can be permissions controlled at administrator level. Deploying Microsoft Lync empowers your users with the most intuitive and effective tools to perform and enjoy their role, and maximize their contribution to your organisation. |
Microsoft Lync Deployment Options
Microsoft Lync offers unparalleled flexibility for infrastructure planners considering the most appropriate topology design to match their organizational needs, opportunities and constraints.
On-Premise
Where organisations have invested extensively in local instrastucture and applications, “Cloud” based solutions may not make economic or political sense. Microsoft Lync can deploy on a single dedicated server or existing virtualization cluster, and integrate seamlessly with local Active Directory and Exchange servers without primary consideration for WAN suitability. Existing ISDN connectivity can terminate via a local 1U Media gateway to deliver all of the benefits of Microsoft Lync using the simplest of designs.
Public Cloud
Microsoft Lync is part of the Microsoft hosted Office 365 E4 price plan which offers IM, presence, video, and collaboration between users. With a suitably specified and capable WAN, organisations can locate these and other key business applications like Exchange, Anti-Virus SharePoint, and Office within secure Microsoft Datacentres without the risks of managing their own server infrastructure on premise. For SME organisations without bespoke or Enterprise Voice requirements that value simplicity, Office 365 provides entry to the cloud with a trusted provider. Atia offers cloud migration services to Office 365, plus connectivity directly from its ISP core to enable its customers’ direct access from premise to cloud without touching public internet.
Private and Hybrid Cloud
This offers many of the advantages of public cloud services, but with the added control and flexibility demanded by many Mid-Market and Enterprise organisations. Microsoft Lync and other Server applications can be housed in private rack space within Major European collocated datacentres, with extensive and low-cost redundant bandwidth and PSTN connectivity. Existing software and hardware investments can continue to be leveraged for optimal TCO - prior purchases of Microsoft CAL suites or Office variants can avoid significant proportions of monthly pay-per-user costs, plus the Private Cloud offers “hybrid” topologies that support piecemeal cloud migration and additional resilience options, with full Enterprise Voice capability.
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An example of a real-world Atia deployment, incorporating a Private/Hybrid topology with unparalleled resilience and redundancy” :-
Microsoft Lync Architecture
With flexibility come the responsibility of choice. Atia assists it’s clients in making optimal decisions based on their current needs and future plans
Standard vs. Enterprise Server>
Microsoft Lync can be deployed using Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition Server topologies. The terminology does not refer to the size of the deployment as such, rather the potential level of resilience and availability of the core solution, and the ability to distribute the core server roles within and between hardware and sites. These core server roles include but are not limited to:
- Front End Server (user capabilities and authentication)
- Back End Server (runs Microsoft SQL database for Front end Pool)
- A/V Conferencing Server (Conferencing and collaboration bridge)
- Edge Server (communication with users or organisations outside the firewall)
- Mediation Server (translates ISDN and SIP signaling for Enterprise Voice)
- Monitoring Server (collects Quality data and CDRs)
- Archiving Server (archives IM and Meeting content)
- Director (authenticates user requests, particularly for multiple Front end pools)
Standard Edition enables the co-location and consolidation of primary server roles onto a single server to deliver a fully functional solution for up to 5000 users. Resilience is still possible via networked Standard Editions or the use of Survivable Branch Appliances. Enterprise Edition delivers optimal high-availability and allows the deployment of multiple Server Role pools for load balancing and redundancy and class leading up-time. The choice of Server Edition can be influenced by customer specific infrastructure, WAN, complexity and budgetary preferences, and is best made based on the recommendations of a topology scoping review conducted by a certified Microsoft Lync Architect. Example topologies are shown below:
Gateway only vs. Survivable Branch Appliance
Both Standard and Enterprise Edition Topologies support, and in the case of Enterprise Voice, require the use of a Media Gateway to terminate SIP or ISDN traffic. Microsoft Optimised Media Gateways are 3rd Party Appliances, with varying price points and specifications with the ability to provide failover for Enterprise Voice capabilities in the event the (connection to) Microsoft Lync Server is lost. This modest additional investment provides “Survivable Branch Appliance” capability through Microsoft Lync. This may be of particular relevance in a multisite deployment, where the Media Gateway deployed at a remote office relies on WAN connectivity to connect to the Microsoft Lync Server core for shared services. The ability to plan, deploy, and manage Voice, Video and Collaboration end-to-end is the primary predictor of project success when moving to a multisite Survivable Branch Appliance topology, and deployment and support of Media Gateways, SIP, ISDN and WAN are core deliverables of the Atia Professional Services proposition.
SIP vs. ISDN
Traditional ISDN transits via a dedicated digital network from premise to exchange whereby public telephone numbers are tied to physical hardware at geographic locations. SIP (Session Initiated Protocol) trunks are virtual lines that connect via an incumbent (or new) internet connection, and interface with the traditional Public Service Telephone Network via Telco interconnections, typically within major UK and European datacentres, using SIP-PSTN carrier gateways. In simple terms, SIP uses a data connection to bypass the “last mile” digital ISDN network, to interface with the PSTN via an ISP network. Microsoft Lync is able to utilise both SIP and/or ISDN, within and between sites, in primary and failover configurations, via an appropriately deployed Media Gateway. A good deal of misinformation is distributed when describing the relative advantages and considerations of choosing digital or IP lines – contrary to the pervasive rhetoric, in terms of reliability, when specified appropriately SIP offers significantly greater business continuity options than ISDN, but outcomes are typically service provider specific compared to wholesale ISDN resale - Atia is able to deliver a fully managed service whereby SIP trunks never need traverse the public internet. Likewise in terms of price, where internet connectivity needs to be upgraded to utilise SIP, the expected cost savings may not be forthcoming and justify migration from ISDN. Atia is an ISP, SIP Service Provider, and (BT) Openreach partner, and able to offer impartial, expert-led scoping and provision of the right service to meet the need of your organisation.
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Handsets and Endpoints
Deploying the right handsets and endpoints is a crucial predictor of user adoption and any UC project outcome. Considerations such as an increasingly mobilized workforce, restrictions imposed by Virtual desktop technologies, and the trend towards converged applications mean a “Power” handset is no longer the best way to leverage the most from a UC investment. Atia recommends and distributes Microsoft Lync endpoints via www.lynchandsets.com throughout Europe and beyond, from entry level USB headsets to full boardroom Video Conferencing suites, all of which support native Microsoft Lync integration.
Optimised vs. Compatible devices
“Compatible” means the device can log into Microsoft Lync and make and receive calls, but with the following considerations:
- Limited or no hot-desking capabilities
- Limited or no AD integration, meaning admin and password changes are not propagated
- Limited or no Searchable phone book
- Limited or no receipt of presence from other devices
- Limited or no integration with Microsoft Lync Client
- Each phone must be configured manually, increasing deployment costs
“Optimised” devices means simplified deployment and support of Enterprise Voice features:
- Hot-desking supported
- AD integration, meaning admin and password changes are propagated
- Searchable phone book
- Receipt of presence from other devices
- Integration with Microsoft Lync Client
- Centralised configuration
Device functionality differs as per the functionality tables enclosed. Of the Microsoft Lync Optimised devices, the key differentiator is the ability to pair the handset with the Microsoft Lync Client. The relevant marketing term for this capability is “Full featured Desk Phone” compared to “Common Area Phone” for devices that do not integrate.
Enterprise Video Conferencing
Where an organisation needs a permanent High Definition conferencing solution for the boardroom, Atia can provide both standalone and natively Microsoft Lync compatible Video Conferencing solutions at an optimal price point. Atia is a Polycom and LifeSize Professional Video Partner, and can deploy and support full Enterprise Video solutions, integrated between Tablet and PC desktop, meeting room and boardroom, out-of-the-box.
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