Microsoft #Lync 2013 September 2013 Update: List of New Features & Fixes

 

Lync updates are now being delivered with Office 2013 updates.

Where is the September Update?

NOTE 9/14/2013: The Office September update was released and then due to some bugs was pulled back again. If you have Office 365 click2run this update is still available. Otherwise the update should be re-released in a few weeks. (a 3rd option is if you have it on a WSUS server . See Flinchbot for more notes on Sept update/pullback: Click Here)

The September 2013 update will update Lync PC client to version 15.0.4535.1002.

New Features:

• Spell Checker

Fixes:

• Tray icon shows your presence state (as it did in previous versions) click here
• Bug: sometimes ctrl+tab to switch conversations didn't work
• Assume that you zoom the text in the instant message input area in Lync 2013 to a value greater than or less than 100 percent. When you type some text in the instant message area, the zoom setting is not applied to the typed text.
• When you share content in Lync 2013, there is a persistent white bar at the bottom of the screen. For example, this issue can occur when you share a PowerPoint presentation and start a Q&A session.

 

Office 2013 Update KB: Click Here

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Microsoft #Lync Finally Gets #1 Requested Feature: Spell Checker

Now Lync can drive you crazy changing your IM spelling from what you wanted it to be to the “correct way” just like you cell phone!

The official Microsoft Lync twitter account @msftLync tweeted:

“Finally Native Spell check for Lync. Update available now.” Click Here

Here is the a link to the Office 2013 Update KB: Click Here (the actual update temporarily pulled due to bugs, excellent explanation by flinchbot: Click Here)

Below is a quick screen shot of the Lync 2013 spell check in action:

Native Lync spell checker has been the top requested Lync feature at www.lync.ideascale.com for some time:

To see all Lync updates in Sept. 2013 update: Click Here

Updates:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/lync/dn146015.aspx
TechCenter: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/lync/ff960995.aspx
Lync Updates RSS: http://www.microsoft.com/feeds/technet/en-us/lync/LyncUpdatesResources.xml

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Lync Qualified/Comptabile and Optimized IP Phone Features Compared: Which Devices are More “Advanced”?

I am getting more and more questions on which class of Lync devices is more “advanced”. As Lync Qualified (aka Lync Compatible/ 3PIP) devices get more and more features this question is getting less and less clear. Will Lync Qualified devices soon be more “Optimized” than LPE devices? This is a real possibility.

At one time I would have said Optimized devices were the information worker device while Qualified/Compatible where for those that wanted a more PBX-like experience. Qualified/Compatible devices certainly remain the devices for those that want a PBX/Voice centric experience, but with the addition of Better Together over Ethernet, USB/Bluetooth headset support and video right from the devices (VVX 500/600), this line has become blurred. I still think that (at this moment) the information worker may be best served by LPE devices, but this is becoming more subjective and very likely to change in the near future.

Some things that still weigh in favor of LPE in my mind:

• Less initial setup /provisioning “fiddling”
• Better Lync Monitoring server Media Quality reporting (basically there is non on Qualifed/Compatible devices)
• LPE firmware is more “settled” and hardened. (this is my sense)

 

NOTE: This article is in progress. Also, if you see any errors/omissions, please comment. Please verify and do your own testing.

	snom UC Edition	Polycom UCS 5.0.0	LPE “Aries”
	Qualified	Qualified	Optimized
Boss/Admin	X	X
BToE	Beta	X
USB Better Together			X
Call Park	X	X	X
1 Button Call Park	X	X
Parked Call Timer		X
Lync Server FW Updates	X	X	X
Lync Address Book Search	X	X	X
Lync Address Book	X		X
See Contact’s Lync Note	X		X
ABS Other Contacts Methods	X
Monitoring Server Media Details			X
Lync Server Setting Provision	X(5)
Device MOH	X		X
Transfer Directly to VM	X
1 Touch Contact Buttons	X	X
Video from phone		X(1)
Supports Video Call (USB audio)			X
Safe Transfer	X
2 Button transfer	X	X
Expansion Module	X	X(2)
DESI Less BLF Buttons		X
Define buttons from handset	X
Phone “In a Call” on handset lift	X	X
Support for USB/BT Headset	X(3)	X(3)
PC Port deliver non-default VLAN	X	X
Intercom – Auto pickup, 2 way	X(4)
Skype Federation audio calls	X
Disable 2nd Call  audio alert	X
Adaptable RTAudio codec Narrow	X		X
RTAudio Widband			X
View Outlook Calendar		X	X
Dedicated My Presence Light			X

1) VVX 500/600 with optional camera, to Lync 2010 client only.
2) Announced, but not here.
3) Some models
4) Works, but not certified feature. Click Here
5) Mentioned, but not demo’s Click Here

More:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2012/07/feedback-from-field-challenges.html

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First Picture of #Polycom CX5500 “Roundtable”IP #Lync Video & #SIP Audio Conference Station With It’s “CPU”

 

We have written about the CX5100 (USB)/CX5500 (IP) “Roundtable” devices before, but Graham Walsh posts the first picture of the Polycom CX5500 (SIP and Lync) IP video conference device with what appears to be the CPU beside it.

The CX5500 Unified  Conference Station, unlike the original “Roundtable” and it’s little sibling, the CX5100, is a standalone IP device that does not require a PC.

It appears that the CX5500 “CPU” has matching look: black with chrome, silver and red trim. (In a sense the CX5500 appears to be a CX5100 with touchscreen control and a “small PC” added)

Some of the known Polycom CX5500 Unified Conference Station’s features:

• 1080p 30fps HD 360 degree Video
• (5100 USB Only or 5500 as complete conference phone)
• SIP HD Audio conference explained Click Here
• New CX5500 Will Have a Touch Screen Interface (Click here)
• Can optionally be Integrated with Lync Room System
• Custom built for Lync 2013
• Device physical design revamp from original “Roundtable”
• “An all-new user interface”
• New The CX5500 can be a “fully featured SIP conference phone”
  • So if you are not using Lync you can still use the CX5500 for audio conference (Click here)

Source:
https://twitter.com/Graham_Walsh/status/378104371692990464

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Acano Brings #WebRTC Meetings & Popular Video Endpoints to #Lync and #Cisco

I was glad to have a call with Acano CTO Mark Blake to get a briefing on their new Acano product. Blake noted that Acano the company has a strong Cisco/Tandberg DNA and their focus is on large enterprises (10k-100k).

Short term goals of Acano is to bridge popular video devices (by transcoding Cisco/Lync/std. SIP) and longer term is to bring a richer collaboration experience with WebRTC and HD voice. (Matt’s Note: Microsoft has noted they will support webRTC “…as soon as the standard is ratified…”)

I was provided with a hosted demo account (note: Acano is not planning to sell Acano directly as a hosted solution but will depend on partners to provide this service) which is what I will use for my comments/review below.

How does Acano fit into the UC mix?

It seems to be webex/goto meeting with a focus on video and being vendor agnostic. It bridges most coming video/audio equipment: Lync, Cisco Telepresence, Cisco Call Manaager, Cisco VCS, webRTC (Chrome), Windows and iPad/iPhone.

How does it supplement Microsoft Lync?

• any webRTC device can join audio/video/content – no app
• focus on multiple mobile devices (move calls between, audio on one, video another, content on another)
• CoSpace is a kind of persistent meeting (IM remains)
• Many Popular Video Endpoints can join a  meeting
  • Cisco Video
  • webRTC (Chrome at this time)
  • Lync (Lync client or any Lync video device)
  • Standard SIP video endpoints (VVX 500/600 w/videocam)

 

CoSpace, CoSpace, CoSpace…What is it?

From what I can tell it is a marketing name for a persistent meeting that saves Instant Message. (at the moment video and content sharing does not seem to be saved.)

Lync and Acano CoSpaces

Lync users can natively join coSpaces by just calling the unique CoSpace URI. Below you can see 2 other non-Lync Acano CoSpace (Meeting) participants being delivered to the Lync 2013 client.

What Technology is it using behind the scenes?

For signaling it appears to be using Jingle. It supports quite a few video and audio codec standards natively including RTVideo (Lync 2010), H263, H264, H265.

How is it sold?

As a server you install on premises or in an Amazon virtual machine with a per user per month charge. Acano server appears to have Core servers and Edge servers. (reminiscent of Lync) The core supports approximately 2,500 users per 2U server. Acano will depend on partners to provide hosted versions of Acano to smaller organizations.

What Clients Are Available?

• windows
• iphone
• ipad
• anything that can do WebRTC (chrome).

What is coming in the future according to Acano?

• Recording
• Social media integration
• Lync presence
• Android App

 

My First Impression Using Acano

~17MB AcanoClient download

Initial Windows client logon

Acano Windows client initial screen

CoSpace video Meeting

Different conference layouts

Instant Message panel: In CoSpaces IM is persistent.

Audio settings

Joining a CoSpace as a guest from Chrome via WebRTC

changing Webcam/Mic from Chrome

In a session

In a session with Shared Desktop/App

I noticed anonymous webRTC user appears not to have:

• no IM

Joining CoSpace from Android w/Chrome basically similar to desktop: video

with side panel expanded…

with app sharing

Summary

Acano CoSpaces really could be a meeting solution replacement for Webex/GotoMeeting that does audio/video/desktop streaming that supports popular video endpoints and UC vendors. Acano does PSTN breakout as well.

Because of my focus I have considerable interest in how Acano fits into a Lync Server or Office 365 environment. One way I could see Acano being used is have a handful of Acano accounts for meetings that need to support a wider amount of endpoints and UC vendors. Another way would be as a more behind the scenes gateway to accommodate existing internal high video room systems in an otherwise largely Lync environment. You could think of Acano as a (video/audio transcoding) bridge between Lync, Cisco, SIP Video endpoints & WebRTC.

Acano graphically demonstrates the power of WebRTC in a UC meeting scenario: The meeting join experience on a PC with Chrome installed is very smooth and I was even able to join a meeting from Chrome on an Android phone. Ease of use: With Acano login credentials I was pretty much able to hit the ground running-if your familiar with any of the web meeting tools out there this will be familiar.

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What Happened to Spectralink #Lync Qualified WIFI/DECT Phones? @SpectralinkCorp

As most of us know the Spectralink WIFI/DECT phone unit was sold by Polycom and is no longer a part of Polycom.

It is now here:
http://www.spectralink.com
http://www.spectralink.com/product-information/wi-fi/spectralink-84-series-wireless-telephones

Spectralink notes in support document page 5 that Polycom UCS (Lync Firmware) and Specralink have separated ways as of September 2012 with Spectralink 4.2.0.

Very clever! Spectralink makes admin tool out of Plug Computer!
http://support.spectralink.com/products/wi-fi/spectralink-84-series-wireless-telephone-installation-configuration-tool-slic

I think I saw this little appliance in a previous life...as a snom ONE SOHO.

Now that Polycom has released the UCS 5.0.0, I’m curious if/when we will see a new update for the Spectralink 84xx series? If you know please comment.

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#snom Releases Better Together over Ethernet UC Edition Firmware BETA for Testing #Lync

It looks like snom  UC Edition firmware version 8.8.3.201309090236 BETA brings Better Together over Ethernet to snom devices listed below:

• snom 300
• snom 370
• snom 710
• snom 720
• snom 760
• snom 821

At this time there is not a .CAB version of the firmware for Lync Server automatic updating and this firmware IS NOT MEANT FOR PRODUCTION environment.

It looks like snom is now using the “Better Together over Ethernet” as opposed to earlier moniker of “Enhanced Better Together”.

Also, *very* interesting: From the “Better Together over Ethernet Beta Testing Installation and User Guide” is appears that you can pair a snom phone with any IP address. (and not just the device plugged into the PC Port of the phone as in Polycom VVX case)

To get the new firmware goto www.snom.com and login.

BETA Firmware: Click Here
Install Guide: Click Here

How to Install snom UC Edition 8.8.3 BToE by D(one) IT: Click Here

Our first look at the snom UC Edition BToE:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-first-look-at-snom-uc-edition.html

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First Impression of Polycom Better Together over Ethernet with UCS 5.0.0 Firmware

 

Below are some notes from my quick tests of the new UCS 5.0.0 Better Together over Ethernet.

Q. What are steps to initially pair a VVX and Lync Client using BToE?

A. Below are the steps:

1. Upgrade VVX phone to UCS 5.0.0
2. Install the Polycom BToE Connector software on the PC to be paired
   1. My PC gave an error on running the “Polycom BToE Connector” software
3. Plug the PC to be paired into the VVX PC port
4. Now initiate pairing process from the VVX phone by pressing: Home | Settings | 3-Features | 5-BToE
   1. when the pairing is activated the 1st time the “Polycom VVX Phone” driver will be loaded
5. Now on the Lync client on your PC it will pop up and ask for your NTLM credentials (just like Lynce Phone Edition devices)

After the pairing the Polycom VVX Phone will show in Devices.

Some more detailed articles on installing BToE:

• Greig in Sydney: Click Here

Q. What happens if the PC is unplugged from the PC Port in the VVX phone after pairing?

A. Every time the paired PC Ethernet is unplugged from the VVX PC Port you will need to “re-pair”. This is made easy by having a BTOE button in the “More” menu.

Q. What happens if the Polycom BToE Connector tray software quits running?

A. If you exit the Polycom BToE Connector tray software, the pairing is lost. (so the Polycom software needs to be running at all times)

Q. What happens if a call starts on the VVX and you try to escalate to a video call?

A. When I tried to escalate a call from audio to video call, the call dropped from the VVX, but did not seemed to move to the PC (it did not disconnect) but seemed to loose audio. (bug?) As noted below

Q. Can BToE Paired device act as a USB Audio Device?

A. In this version of Polycom VVX BToE no. Polycom has communicated this is coming in future versions.

Q. Can the VVX Phone be on a VLAN separate from the PC and BToE still work?

A. I have not tested, but I see no reason why not. It appears to me that the only requirement is that the paired PC is plugged into the PC Port of the VVX phone.

Q. Will the Polycom VVX BToE functionality work with the Lync 2013 SDK (client side Lync SDK)?

A. From our quick tests, the Lync SDK works with BToE implementation. Since it appears to use a “virtual” USB connection this is as expected.

Q. Does BToE (UCS 5.0.0/BToE v1.0) work in a VDI/RDP/RemoteDesktop scenario?

A. At this time this scenario does not appear to be supported as the PC that is paired with the phone must by physically plugged into the PC Port on the VVX.

Q. What Ethernet Traffic does pressing “Pair” on the VVX generate?

A. From my Wireshark capture it appears that the VVX is initially sending a UDP broadcast packet on Port 2081. (show below) After that the phone and pc seem to communicate on Ports 24801 (from Phone) and 56xxx (from PC).

Misc Notes and Concluding Thoughts

• Pairing was lost when Laptop went to sleep
• It didn’t notify me that phone and Lync client users were mismatched
• More blogs about BToE
• Greig in Sydney: Click Here
• Lync Dialog: Click Here

UCS 5.0.0 has introduced version 1.0 of BToE.  This is a big leap forward for Lync Qualified IP Phones.

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Minataur V NASA Rocket Launch: My Video from Eastern Pennsylvania #

Below is my video (you may want to click full screen/1080p)

Even though I knew it was launching, at first sighting I thought it was fireworks from a nearby town. (my "huge flames" comment is explained by noting I was comparing it to Space Shuttle launch from the same location several years ago)

More:
http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/MinotaurV/index.shtml

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#Polycom Announces & Demos UC Software 5.0 #Lync Features: Big Update for Lync!

 

Polycom has just release video demo’s of its new UC Software 5.0 which appear to bring a lot of big, new features to their Lync Qualified devices. Below are the demo’s with some of my commentary below.

Most of the demos are done on the VVX500/600 form factor (touch screen, not BLF buttons) I’d be very interested to see how some of the features work on the VVX3xx/4xx as I suspect they will be the “bread & butter” of future Polycom voice implementations.

At the moment the UC Software 5.0 does not appear to be listed on Polycom Support. Click Here.
UPDATE 9/6/13: Jeff Schertz notes with tweet: “It’s out” (UCS 5.0.0). You can get the updates here.

New UCS 5.0.0 Lync Features and My Commentary

Boss/Admin

My notes:

• Since there are not hard line buttons on vvx500/600 the Boss has to press and hold to pickup a call the admin took for him

Devices Update

Device Update Notes:

• The graphical Reboot, Cancel Details is excellent
• Ability to set reboot delay time is a nice touch

Directory Search

My Directory Search Notes:

• I don’t see the Lync note in the contact details screen
• Can only work number be called?

Better Together over Ethernet

Better Together over Ethernet Notes:

• This feature is one of the most anticipated features on Lync Qualified devices
• Interesting to see a Polycom Better Together app is required
  • from the video it is not clear if this app is just for pairing or required at all times
  • See my in-depth article on Better Together over Ethernet Pairing: Click Here
• In the youtube description it is noted that the VVX can act as an Audio Playback Mode (emulates a USB audio device)
  • This means we could expect escalate to video to work (this was less clear before)

Call Park

My Notes

• Interesting to note this is not one touch on VVX 500/600
  • More | Park

UCS 5.0.0 Downloads

UCS 5.0.0 Firmware: Click Here
UCS 5.0.0 Release Notes: Click Here

Step By Step Upgrade Installation Guide

http://d1it.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/polycom-btoe-1/

To see all of PolycomVideo channel: click here.
To get updates for you phone click here.

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Lync 2013 Cumulative Updates List

To see the current version of Lync 2013 go to Options | Help | About MIcrosoft Lync. Look at the version number inside the parenthesis.

Lync 2013 Updates (for PC)

Date	Version	Link	Description
RTM	15.0.4420.1017
2013 Feb	15.0.4454.1506	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2812461
2013 Mar	15.0.4481.1000	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2760556
2013 May	15.0.4481.1004	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2768004
2013 July	15.0.4517.1504	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2817465	Meeting Tab/Paste Picture ...
2013 Sept	15.0.4535.1002	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2817630	Spell check, ...

 

Lync Phone Edition “Aries” Updates

To get the current FW version from the device press Menu | System Information

Date	Version	Polycom	Aastra	HP	Description
2012 Dec	4.0.7577.4366	Link	Link	Link	MOH ...
2013 Apr	4.0.7577.4387	Link	Link	Link
2013 July	4.0.7577.4397

More:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/nexthop/archive/2013/03/26/lync-2013-cumulative-updates-list.aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/b/nettracer/archive/2013/07/05/lync-client-and-server-version-numbers.aspx

Lync Phone Edition Updates: Click Here

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#Lync Senior Product Marketing Andrew Cook: Microsoft Lync Is $1 Billion Business--By Itself

In an interview with Doug Green of Telecom Reseller recorded at ITExpo 2013 Las Vegas, Andrew Cook, Lync Senior Product Marketing Manager notes:

“We’re the newest $1Billion business at Microsoft,  there are 16 billion dollar businesses at Microsoft and Lync is one of them. I think we passed that in late May or early June (2013)…”
–-Andrew Cook, Senior Product Marketing

Doug Green notes:

“If Lync was its own company…that would make you [Lync] among the largest companies in the UC space...”

Andrew Cook’s thoughts on WebRTC:

• WebRTC is a huge & hot topic
• It’s not a standard yet
• Start trying it out
• It’s not going to revolutionize anything
• Expect to see Lync WebRTC Meeting Join
• Cook quote: “In the end, what we’ll probably see, (and I’m not promising anything) if a user wants to join a meeting using WebRTC we’ll do that, if not they can join via the Lync Web App…and do it that way…”

Cook’s thoughts on WebRTC are certainly not new as Derek Burney, Corp. VP Microsoft Lync, noted this back in March 2013 at Enterprise Connect 2013 keynote Q&A:

“…the Microsoft Lync Web App uses a plugin today. Microsoft will support webRTC as soon as the standard is ratified. This is a super exciting initiative.”

While we do not hear much industry buzz around Microsoft Lync and WebRTC, we’ve now heard Microsoft convey that WebRTC is likely in the Lync Server future.

Listen to the Whole Podcast over at Telecom Reseller: Click Here
Tom Arbuthnot: Click Here

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Microsoft Extends TechNet Subscription for 90 Days Due to Community Feedback

Some (good?) news to add to the steady stream of (disconcerting?) news  out of Microsoft (Technet Subscription discontinuation, MCM program drop, Microsoft Buying Nokia)

Here is an email I just received:

Some more info on changes:
http://windowsitpro.com/industry/microsoft-attempts-ease-demise-technet-subscribers-building-replacement-mcts

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After 60 Days Video Review of Plantronics Blackwire C720

Wendell Martin, Sales Manager at Landis Computer Technology Solutions, gives his experience using the Plantronics Blackwire C720.

Below is our First Impression Review of Plantronics Blackwire C720: click here

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What If #Lync Would Get Call Me Using URL Functionality? #WebRTC

 

What if external users could interact with Lync user via a web URL? To initiate communication as opposed to current LWA that requires the Lync user to initiate?

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#Lync News Summary Out of #ITExpo Las Vegas 2013

Below are some items I’ve noticed around Microsoft Lync coming out of ITExpo Las Vegas 2013. You can book mark as we will update as new items announced.

ITExpo website: click here
Take a look at Lync Partner Solutions Pavilion and events: click here

Announcements

• 8/28/2013 – Lync TVA Server by Broad-Connect
  • Description: Lync enable legacy desk phones
  • PR – Click Here
  • TVA Product page – Click Here
• 8/28/2013 – snom demos “Major New Capabilities” on Lync Qualified phones at ITExpo
  • Description: Not announced at this time.
  • Supports Skype to Lync federation: Click Here
  • PR – Click Here
  • Another recently mentioned new Lync Qualified feature: Enhanced Provisioning – Click Here
    

 

ITEXPO News

• Tom Keating notes Lync Session “Jam Packed” - Click Here
  • “Digium / Asterisk employee who commented that the WebRTC session he attended and this Lync session were the two most well-attended panels..”

 

Other Recent Announcements

• Microsoft Lync Resilient Branch Appliance by Audiocodes and Sonus: click here
• Audiocodes Working to Lync Qualify New Audiocodes 420HD Desk Phone: click here
• Sangoma: “Lync Express is a big part of what’s happening at Sangoma right now…” click here

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