Microsoft Gulf has announced the launch of Lync, the next generation of communications that connects people in new ways.

The launch, at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, was held in the presence of representatives of businesses who were given an opportunity to get in-depth insights into the product.

'Lync is a single platform that integrates instant messaging, presence, audio, video, web-conferencing and voice to bring people together in the ways they communicate best, with one interface that works with the applications businesses know and use today, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Exchange,' said Microsoft Bahrain and Oman regional country manager Tareq Hijazi.

'It delivers on our vision to unify all of the modes of modern business communication, giving people a more collaborative, 'in person' experience with features like HD video, conference recording, and social features like status updates and activity feeds.'

He said in addition to transforming how people communicate, information technology departments were also looking to Lync to evolve their infrastructure and enhance or eliminate their traditional PBX systems, saving money and time.

'Microsoft had recently commissioned Forrester Consulting to conduct a Total Economic Impact study that found that for a composite organisation Lync 2010 offered a risk-adjusted return on investment of 337 per cent, including $6.35 million in hard cost savings over three years, with a payback period of 12 months,' he explained.

Polycom Microsoft Alliance East Mediterranean and East Africa director Charles James said more than 70 new devices optimised for Lync include a variety of Internet protocol phones, headsets, speakerphones and webcams.

Polycom, he stated, was announcing the industry's first telepresence solution designed to interoperate with Lync through the Polycom HDX Series and Polycom UC Intelligent Core.

'Both solutions enable individuals and groups to collaborate naturally and effortlessly across any distance,' he added.

Microsoft Lync 2010 and Microsoft Lync Server 2010 are available for purchase for businesses of all sizes, while Microsoft Lync Online will be available as part of Office 365, with voice capabilities available in 2011.

Lync Online will include instant messaging, presence, audio and video conferencing, and PC-to-PC voice calls.-TradeArabia News Service