Happy Holidays to you and yours from UC-Software!

 

Microsoft Launches Lync. Geomant's Lync 2010-Compatible Applications to follow.

This week Microsoft showcased their impressive next generation of unified communications software. Lync Server 2010 takes over where Office Communications Server (OCS) left off, bringing with it improved features and powerful new capabilities – a detailed list of which can be found on the official Lync site.

With Lync Server 2010 poised to play an increasingly prominent role as the strategic communication platform in the enterprise, the need for additional compliance and business-focused applications to effectively manage and support this environment also evolves. Geomant’s Microsoft-endorsed portfolio of Unified Communications solutions help drive return on investment of this platform and ensure adherence to regulatory compliance requirements.

As part of Microsoft’s TAP (Technology Adoption Program) for Lync, Geomant worked closely with the Microsoft Product Team to optimize and extend its suite of UC solutions to become fully Lync Server 2010-compatible. These value-added solutions for Lync include:

• Contact Expert - a fully featured Contact Centre solution tightly integrated with Lync
• Lync Server 2010 Call Recording – a server-side call recording/archiving solution to meet compliance and quality requirements 
• SMS for Lync Server 2010 
• UC Client Accounting - a Lync Server 2010 call accounting and client billing solution 
• Geomant Presence Suite - delivering Rich Presence, Geographic Presence, and Integration of presence with Business Applications

Microsoft Lync is available in trial and becomes generally available for purchase on Dec 1. Geomant’s Lync Server applications are also currently available in beta trial and general availability will follow within 45 days of the Lync launch event.

The Geomant portfolio of UC solutions for OCS R2 is currently available as well. Contact us to learn more or visit UC-Software.com/Geomant.

Introducing BPA CRM Mobile 2010 (and upcoming BPA CRM 2010 webinars)

BPA CRM 2010, the unique and complete CRM solution built on Microsoft SharePoint, is now available as a powerful mobile application. BPA CRM Mobile 2010 is designed to display all the important CRM features and optimize the user experience on your mobile device (see quick video overview).

Key Features and Benefits

• Fully customizable with no development required
• Compatible with any mobile device including iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and more. 
• Prioritize and display only key data – relevant tasks, events and opportunities 
• Search and display all information related to a contact quickly and easily 
• Simplify processes and save time with prebuilt email templates. All sent emails are automatically stored in the CRM application 
• Eliminate synchronization – all data is accessed from the server in real-time, resulting in dramatic improvements to data security, data quality and overall performance

To properly introduce the new BPA CRM Mobile 2010 application and to further examine the value of implementing a SharePoint based CRM solution, BPA will be hosting live webinars on November 9th and 16th at 2:30pm GMT (10:30am Eastern).

You can register here for the Nov 9th session, or here for Nov 16th. Each webinar will be 45 minutes in duration and include live demonstrations of BPA CRM 2010 and BPA CRM Mobile 2010, followed by an interactive Q&A session.

Learn more about BPA Applications for SharePoint or contact us with any questions or requests.

New Huddle Product Features and Upcoming Webinar!

The all new Huddle Tasks is set to release on Nov 4th and the Huddle VP of Product, Martin Eriksson, will be hosting a live open session to introduce the groundbreaking new features.

This 30 minute webinar is open to everyone - current and potential Huddlers alike. You can register here. (taking place November 4th at 4:30pm GMT).

The release of Huddle’s all new Tasks is a major product update which will provide users with a truly world class task management application, integrated right into the existing Huddle suite. This webinar will demonstrate the new interface and features, examining how they work and why they’re great!

A Quick Look at the new Tasks tool:

• Focused on team driven project management
• Flexible task viewing (filter, group and sort tasks any way you like!) 
• Easy one-click task creation and automatic assignee notification 
• Add comments, notes and build discussions on any task

In further Huddle news, Gartner has once again placed Huddle in the Visionary section of their Magic Quadrant for Social Software in the Workplace. Gartner credited Huddle’s innovative viral adoption model and rapid success in evolving through a number of major partnerships for the recognition. This community of global partners continues to grow and now includes HP, LinkedIn, Ning, XING and most recently, Xobni.

Learn more about Huddle. Register now for the webinar.

Microsoft Lync is the new OCS

Earlier this week Microsoft delivered exciting news regarding the next generation of their unified communications solutions. The Office Communications product family now has a new name, and a release candidate is also now widely available. We welcome Microsoft Lync (a combination of the words ‘link’ and ‘sync’) to the UC market - replacing the once anticipated Communications Sever 14 (OCS Wave ‘14’).

The fresh new branding is a result of extensive customer research by Microsoft which found the simplified naming scheme to be well-received by both end users and IT pros alike. So with the release of the final edition expected later this year, Microsoft has certainly been successful in generating some buzz.

A quick look at the new branding: Office Communications 2007 product suite to Lync 2010 Release
The family: Microsoft Office Communications > Microsoft Lync
The server: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 > Microsoft Lync Server 2010
The client: Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 > Microsoft Lync 2010
The service: Microsoft Office Communications Online > Microsoft Lync Online
The web client: Microsoft Office Communicator Web Access > Microsoft Lync Web App

Microsoft Lync 2010 is touted as a single interface that unites voice communications, IM, audio, video and web conferencing into a richer, more contextual offering. Here’s a look at a few of the exciting new features:  

• Location services integration 
• Activity feeds  
• Dial Pad Interface (for calls and voicemail)  
• Recorded and transcribed Voice Mail messages  
• Device Selection (allowing users to select their preferred audio device directly from the Communicator interface)  
• Simultaneous Ring (forward inbound calls to specific numbers, straight to voice mail or ring at multiple numbers simultaneously)  
• Contextual calls in real time (Users can enter a call subject for the recipient before initiating a call)  
• Newly designed and improved Contact card

Learn more or get the release candidates of Microsoft Lync and Lync Server 2010 available now. Also look out for Geomant's Enterprise UC solutions (currently tightly integrated with OCS) to adapt to the new Microsoft Lync release as well.

Huddle gets #1 spot on Startups 100 list

Huddle has landed the top spot on the Startups 100 list. The list from Startups.co.uk is described as "the definitive countdown to the UK's most innovative, inspiring and ground-breaking new companies." Huddle has impressively topped the list among a number of celebrated and outstanding young companies with UK roots. (See full list here).

Huddle - the complete Online Collaboration, Project Management and Document Sharing solution - has experienced tremendous growth since its launch in March 2007. Startups.co.uk credits Huddle's number one ranking to its rapid success in building a "market-leading brand with global reach," along with its ability to grow an impressive client base (including such notable names as Disney, KIA and Panasonic...) and secure major partnerships (including LinkedIn, Intercall and HP...) along the way.

Learn more about Huddle or try your own Huddle Workspace free.

ComArchive Recorded Demo

If you're seeking a simple-to-use yet feature-rich Exchange email archiving solution, you need to add ComArchive to your consideration set.  This clever and amusing recorded demo is a great starting point.

Check it out and then visit our ComArchive product page to learn more.

Exchange 2010 Personal Archives

We speak with many organizations with plans to forego an email archiving system in favor of Exchange 2010 Personal Archives.

If you're thinking along this same line, you should read this TechTarget post from renowned Exchange MVP Brien Posey.

Frustration with the complexity inherent to most third-party archiving systems is at least partly responsible for the interest in centering on Exchange 2010 Personal Archives.  ComArchive is a great alternative - it truly is email archiving made easy.  Install it in an hour, learn it in a minute.  Take ComArchive for a test drive, no cost and zero risk.

KPIs in SharePoint: Simple, Powerful Performance Measurement

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are a measure of performance - a quick view of the progression toward achieving predefined business goals.

KPIs will differ based on the unique requirements and specific goals of each individual organization, but the essential concepts remain the same. An organization establishes a set of objectives which complement its broader strategic vision; identifies the relevant stakeholders (department, team, manager, etc); and establishes benchmarks and specific time frames. KPIs must be clear, concise and quantifiable measurements which reflect the critical success factors of an organization.

The usefulness of KPIs is amplified when they are integrated (as a visual cue) in the business tools that workers use everyday. For many companies, that indispensable daily hub of organization and collaboration is Microsoft SharePoint.

With the addition of KPIs to SharePoint, users are empowered to stay on objective and better execute goals. A good set of SharePoint-based KPIs will serve as a dynamic and effective tool for performance and quality management - with the added flexibility and utility of SharePoint.

Learn more about creating and publishing KPIs on MOSS 2007. KPIs are also included in all BPA Applications for SharePoint, including BPA CRM, BPA Quality and BPA Project Pro 2010 - enabling users to display all their strategic performance indicators in one single place.

BPOS migration and BPOS archiving

If you are considering a migration to Microsoft BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite), then you need to consider the costs of preserving your legacy data - and where that data should be stored. 

This solution brief asks (and answers) the key points of a BPOS migration. 

Exchange 2010 mailbox size management

Interesting blog post from Bob Spurzem of Ferris Research on a potential issue with taking advantage of Exchange 2010's support for larger mailboxes - how will large mailboxes affect future Exchange upgrade projects?

Read the post here....

Exchange email archiving is still a good idea, particularly if you deploy a product such as ComArchive - simple Exchange email archiving that protects your data, turns email into a usable business asset, and gives users an endless inbox.

Contact Expert turns Microsoft OCS into a multimedia call center

New from the Microsoft OCS experts at Geomant (and proudly resold in North America by us at UC-Software)....

Contact Expert provides any organization with OCS to turn OCS into a multimedia call center.  Voice calls, emails, SMS - route them to help desk or customer support staff according to your pre-defined preferences (eg, skill-based, most-idle, etc).  Record OCS calls for quality oversight and compliance requirements.  Improve OCS call center processes with full reporting and auditing.

Contact Expert improves first-call resolution rates, enhances customer satisfaction, and increases employee productivity.

If you're using Microsoft OCS, you owe it to your customers and/or your help desk to learn about Contact Expert for Microsoft OCS.

ComArchive - Easy email archiving

"Install it in an hour, learn it in a minute."

Sounds impossible (if you've ever used or evaluated an email archiving system)...but the clever developers of ComArchive have done it.

(Ferris Research confirms that ComArchive is indeed Exchange email archiving made easy.)

At UC-Software, our mission is to match our clients' requirements to innovative, cost-effective solutions that are easy to deploy and simple to use.  ComArchive meets all those conditions. 

So if you're searching for your first archive system or seeking to replace your outdated existing system, take a few minutes to learn about ComArchive.  We promise it will be time well spent.

PS - And if you're moving to Microsoft BPOS, ComArchive is the only archive system that works with BPOS....and it will save you a heap of $$$ over the cost of Microsoft's hosted archive service.