Microsoft Lync is a communication tool that allows users to collaborate in real-time via different communications. These include instant message chat, audio and/or video chat, and desktop sharing. In addition, Microsoft Lync talks with the Exchange 2010 Unified Messaging systems to allow users to see when others are available to collaborate.

• Downloading and Installing Lync
• Working with Lync
• Additional Resources
• Student Use of Lync
• Lync for Mobile Devices
• Known Issues

Downloading and Installing Lync

Lync is available to all UIS employees via the UIS Webstore. There are three versions of Lync available for download – one for Macs, one for 32-bit Windows, and one for 64-bit Windows. If you are not sure which Windows version applies to your computer,

1. Click the Start button.
2. Right-click Computer.
3. Click Properties.
4. Next to System type, you will see either 32-bit or 64-bit.

Installation Notes: Microsoft releases updates for Lync within Windows Update. Running Windows Update and installing the latest version may help solve any issues you may encounter.

Working with Lync

Printable hand-outs and video tutorials are available for step-by-step instructions in using Lync, as well as a Comparison Table showcasing the differences in functionality between Macs and PCs.

• Introduction to Microsoft Lync [PDF | 861 KB]
• Lync for Faculty [PDF | 776 KB]
• Lync for Students [PDF | 481 KB]
• Introduction to the Lync Interface [Video | 2 min, 45 sec]
• Basics of Chat and Video Chat [Video | 2 min, 50 sec]
• Basics of Sharing in Lync [Video | 8 min, 18 sec]

Additional Resources

Microsoft offers several resources and tools to assist in maximizing your use of Lync.

• Lync Team Blog
• How-to videos

Work Smart – Quick and Easy Guides

• Work Smart: Make and answer calls
• Work Smart: Make presence work for you
• Work Smart: Schedule and join an online meeting
• Work Smart: Start a sharing and collaboration session
• Work Smart: Use Lync 2010 Attendant
• Work Smart: Use Lync 2010 Attendee

Student Use of Lync

The full version of Lync is currently only available to UIS employees. However, students can take advantage of the benefits of Lync via Microsoft Lync Attendee. Lync Attendee allows users to participate in meetings, instant messaging, audio/video collaboration, and desktop sharing.

Lync Attendee may be installed for free from Microsoft for Windows users. (At this point, there is not a Mac-supported version of Lync Attendee. Please contact Kara McElwrath at kmcel2@uis.edu if you are a Mac user and need access to Lync.) An in-depth hand-out [PDF] highlighting the features is available, as well as a Work Smart Guide for using Attendee.

Lync for Mobile Devices

Mobile versions of Lync are available for Windows Phone, iPhone/iPad, and Android devices.

Known Issues

Please submit a request to the Technology Support Center to activate the CISCO phone functionality to Lync.

A comparison of features available in the various Lync clients is available on Microsoft’s website.