Other Lync Server Clients

Lync 2010 is the primary client for Lync Server 2010, but alternatives exist for other platforms and specialized functions. Shown here is a list of existing and planned clients, and their capabilities and limitations when used with Lync Server 2010. The lists of capabilities and limitations are not complete; see Microsoft’s article “Client Comparison Tables” (listed in the “Resources” section of this article) for more details. A “call” here means any communications session and could include some combination of instant messaging (IM), voice, video, synchronized PowerPoint presentation, application sharing, and other features.

Some clients that worked with Communications Server 2007 R2 do not work with Lync Server 2010 as of Jan. 2011. Notably, Lync Server has no Web Scheduler, which enabled Communication Server 2007 R2 users to schedule calls with only a browser. This means that Mac users and Windows users without Outlook cannot schedule calls.

Third parties have their own clients for Lync Server not shown here. In particular, Research In Motion has not yet updated its BlackBerry IM and presence client for compatibility with Lync Server 2010, although an update is planned in early 2011.