Updated: July 14, 2020 (November 4, 2013)

Features Licensed by Lync Server CALs

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Client access to Lync Server 2013 is licensed with three different Client Access Licenses (CALs): Standard CAL, Enterprise CAL, and Plus CAL. All three types can be purchased for each user or for each accessing device, usually a PC or desktop handset.

The Standard CAL (pictured at the bottom) licenses Lync Server’s basic features, including the following:

Exchanging instant messages (IMs) with one or more other users
Viewing other users’ presence information to determine if they are available to receive IM or other communications
Initiating immediate transfer of a file to another person
Participating in continuously updated discussion boards (called persistent chat or group chat)
Searching for people in their enterprise by skill set (skill search)
Placing and receiving PC-to-PC voice and video calls using Lync client software
Participating in, but not initiating, conferences.

The Enterprise CAL licenses (top left) licenses Lync conferencing features, including the following:

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