Lync and Skype Overview

The next major version of the Skype for Business software (previously named Lync) is planned for the first half of 2015. Current and upcoming versions of the client, server, and related services are shown above. Updated mobile clients and improved conferencing capabilities arrived in 2014, as did updates to enable presence exchange, instant messaging, and voice calls with Skype for consumers. Microsoft partners also released conference room systems based on a specialized client (not shown).

Live Communications Server 2005 will leave Extended support on Apr. 14, 2015. Organizations still on Live Communications Server 2005 should move to a supported version, prior to that date, to ensure their systems are protected and receive security patches.

In 2014 and beyond, Microsoft has renamed Lync to Skype for Business, and is expected to provide further compatibility in the user interfaces for Skype for Business and Skype consumer clients and improve Skype for Business Online features to include enterprise voice services to connect to public telephone networks and support for large online meetings that can handle thousands of attendees. New versions have typically appeared every 18 months to two years. Microsoft has said it intends to speed up the pace of releases, so a new version in 2015 is possible, but Microsoft might just release feature improvements between versions, as it has already done in 2014.