Lots of questions coming in this month! If you’ve sent one in, don’t worry, we’ll get back to you. (I know we’re testing some changes in our local Lync Server, before we respond to one of them.)

Last week we received this question:

“Can we set up a global policy so everyone has a 5-minute idle in Lync?”

The answer to this question is yes – and no.

Right now, you can’t use a GPO (Group Policy Object) to set a Lync 2010 client’s default idle limit – when Lync switches from Available to Away.

You could go around changing each client’s idle settings, of course. But that’s way too time-consuming (and no self-respecting sysadmin would work that slow).

Don’t worry though! There IS a way to enforce a default idle for Lync users: Use a Management Shell script.

Run a Script at Startup to Set Global Idle

That’s right. One simple script will enforce global idle limits on all clients.

In a moment I’ll show you the script. But before that, a quick reminder: the Lync Server Management Shell isn’t set to run scripts by default! You’ll have to modify the execution policy so you can run scripts.

Which is easy. Just enter this command in the Management Shell prompt:
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

With that done, let’s move to the script itself. Copy the following into Notepad and save it as “set-global-idle.ps1″.

$computer = "."
$registry = [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey]::OpenRemoteBaseKey("CurrentUser", $computer)
$key = $registry.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Communicator", $True)
$key.SetValue("IdleThreshold",5,"DWORD")

Those of you who are familiar with PowerShell will see how this script works at a glance. Even if you aren’t, this script’s pretty easy to understand: It makes a small change to the client PC’s registry, relating to Lync’s registry keys.

In this case, we’re changing the “IdleThreshold” or idle timeout point.

You will have to run Set-Global-Idle.ps1 on everyone’s PCs at startup. It’ll act like a pseudo-GPO, making a background change during boot. We’ve tested it and had no errors.

Modify the script as you like! Setting idle isn’t all you can do with this method. But be careful; this causes a change to client PC registries. The wrong parameters could cause registry corruption…and nobody wants every single PC in the office to crash at once!

Bravely Standing In for Lync GPO

We’re sure Microsoft will release a Lync Server patch that lets you control global idle soon. Use our Set-Global-Idle.ps1 script as a stand-in/workaround for now. It works, but it’s an extra step imposed on your Lync setup.

Have you modified your Lync Server installation using Management Shell? How?

There’s so much information in the new Lync 2010 Training Package that I had to dedicate another post to it.

As promised, a second comparison of its training lists. As this package is geared toward training users on the Lync 2010 client, we’re talking about the Help Desk list today.

Training List 2: Help Desk

Last post I pointed out that each of the training packages is based off a “standard set” of materials. FAQs, Quick Reference cards, introductory How-To videos, and Self-Paced Training.

With Help Desk, we see how Microsoft adapts the training package for different roles. Specifically, 2 more resources included above this standard (1 new, 1 at higher priority).

A. The addition of “Help Desk Troubleshooting,” a 110-page reference document for common Lync client problems.You’ll find guidelines for everything from “(Sharing) Participants See a Black Window” to “Agent Unable to See Some Response Groups.”

The Troubleshooting document alone makes this worthwhile. It’s a great keep-on-hand reference. Our Support department has already used it to help a client. (I may pull some how-to’s for future posts in fact.)

B. The Instructor-Led Training mentions go from “Optional” to “Strongly Recommended.” Often the only difference between training lists is what priority each material element is assigned. However, because the Help Desk will field most of the (initial) support calls, it’s important they be fully informed on Lync’s capabilities.

If you want to see what’s available for Instructor-Led Training, look here. There are four courses (registration required, but free):

1. Introducing Microsoft Lync
2. Best Practices for Microsoft Lync Conferencing
3. Facilitating a Successful UC Rollout
4. Effective Conferencing with Microsoft Lync: Transitioning from Office Live Meeting

How to Start Lync Training with the Instructor-Led Courses

These 4 are the only courses for the whole Lync Training Package (at least for now). You’ll find them, at different priority levels, in almost every training list.

I don’t think all of these benefit the Help Desk most, though. Pick and choose which are the most relevant to the role you’re training for.

Here’s what I would suggest: Use the Instructor-Led training in the following order (by role).

• Executives and Information Workers sign up for 1 & 2 in succession
• Information Workers sign up for 3 & 4 afterward
• Early Adopters sign up for all 4
• Help Desk signs up for 1, 2 & 4
• New Hires and Admin-Receptionists sign up for 1

This way everyone receives at least an overview. From there, more technical roles take on more technical training. All without disrupting everyday workflow.

Next week – we’re talking about Archiving Server. The recent post on Monitoring Server got a lot of attention, so I’m tackling its cousin. Watch for it!

While on Twitter yesterday, I saw a new Lync download making the rounds:

Microsoft Lync 2010 Training Download Package

From the overview:

“The Lync Training Download Package contains all of the available training and user education resources for Lync.”

All of these resources are sorted for you in an Excel workbook, & divided up by office role.  Information Worker, Early Adopters, New Hires, Admin-Receptionists, Executives, Help Desk and Lync Online.

Each list is broken up by a category, defined by Lync Server Role or communication method.  They are:

• IM and Presence
• Collaboration and Conferencing
• Voice and Video
• Devices
• Group Chat
• Attendee
• Lync Web App
• Lync for Mobile Clients
• Lync for Mac

The training material for each category is ranked, from “Optional” to “Strongly Recommended.”  Some of the material comes in the training package download.  The rest is available on Microsoft’s support websites.

Organizes Current Lync Training Material For You

Why use this new training package?  It makes Microsoft’s Lync education resources neat & easy to find.

Everything (to date!) is included:

–WorkSmart Guides
–Quick Reference Cards
–FAQs
–Training Videos
–Instructor-Led Training (registration needed)

However, it’s important to know:  This is NOT recommended as a resource for Lync certification.  There’s almost no server-side material.   The package is clearly intended to help you train to support Lync’s client-facing functions.

Training List 1:  New Hires

The “New Hires” category is a good starting point.  It lists out what I’ll call the “standard set” of training materials.  FAQs, Quick Reference Cards, introductory How-To  Videos, and Self-Paced Training.

You’ll find these in every other category, with additional resources and/or different recommendation levels depending on the role.  Pay attention to Recommendation levels…they’ll give you a path to follow.  Start with “Strongly Recommended” and work down from there.

For instance, under Collaboration & Conferencing for New Hires, a Quick Reference Card and Self-Paced Training are “Strongly Recommended.”  A How-To Video is “Recommended.”  And Instructor-Led Training is “Optional.”

Catch-All for Microsoft Lync Education

How effective will this training package be?  That depends on how you decide to use it.  The download includes a lot of information, some of it new.  (I’m putting the “Help Desk Troubleshooting” doc on our SharePoint right after this post.)

Microsoft has written the workbook as a catch-all and a starting point.  So you can build training into your office’s activities by grabbing certain elements and putting them in front of the people who need them most.

Next week I’ll go into more detail with comparisons between categories.  Until then – planning to use this download?  How?

Have you tried out Mobile Lync yet?

Microsoft has released brand new clients for every major mobile platform – iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, even the iPad. Twitter’s abuzz over the new clients.

All of the clients will work with both on-premises Lync Server or Office 365′s Lync Online. (However, some features are not available to Lync Online users.)

Let’s go through what’s available, shall we?

Lync for iPhone

Download Lync for iPhone at the iTunes App Store.
What it does: Presence, IM, Email Contacts, Enterprise Voice Calls, Voicemail, Dial-Out Conferencing, Call Forwarding.
The iPhone client is surprisingly comprehensive. It even has capabilities (Enterprise Voice Calls) the Android client doesn’t right now. Microsoft really pushed to make the iOS client as complete a duplicate of Lync 2010 (desktop) as possible.

Lync for iPad

Download Lync for iPad at the iTunes App Store.
What it does: Presence, IM, Email Contacts, Enterprise Voice Calls, Voicemail, Dial-Out Conferencing, Call Forwarding.
Virtually identical to the iPhone client (adjusted for iPad screens of course). However, the reviews for this version gave it a slightly lower rating the iPhone client. One reviewer noted that push notifications didn’t work for her.

Lync for Android

Download Lync for Android at the Android Market.
What it does: Presence, IM, Email Contacts, Voicemail, Dial-Out Conferencing, Call Forwarding.
The Android client is a fairly basic mobile app. Some features are not supported yet (VoIP, video). Right now it appears to function best as a connector between the phone’s capabilities and Lync Server.

Also, note: Lync for Android runs in the background, all the time. Push notifications aren’t necessary. Something to keep in mind for Android users!

Lync for Windows Phone 7

Download Lync for Windows Phone from the Windows Phone Marketplace.
What it does: Presence, IM, Enterprise Voice Calls, Conferencing, Call Forwarding.
Of all the clients, this one looks the sharpest to me. Look at this screenshot. Slick, isn’t it? Almost a step up from the Lync 2010 interface.

Appearances aside, the Windows Phone client packs in every feature the iOS clients have. Several more than Android, like taking delegate calls & using Call via Work.

However, one thing is missing: access to Lync voicemail. I’m honestly not sure why Microsoft didn’t include this. The system has the same base from server (Lync Server) to hardware platform (Windows Phone). What prevented voicemail?

What’s Missing in Mobile Lync (For Now)

Please note: According to the Microsoft Lync Mobile Client Comparison Tables, NONE of the mobile clients can do the following.

• Automatically log IM conversations in Exchange
• Manage delegates
• View video in meetings
• Conduct two- or more-party calls with external users
• Share desktop or use presentation tools

Looks like we’ll have to wait until V2 for these features.

What’s your experience with a Lync mobile client? Is there something you’d want to see added?

We’re back, with another hardware review! Up for today is our newest acquisition (and already our favorite conferencing tool): the Jabra SPEAK 410-USB speakerphone.

A reader emailed me with a question about call forwarding in Lync. He wanted to keep call forwarding in place so people could receive calls while on the go. But, many of his users don’t change the forwarding while at their desks. They still take calls on their mobiles, using up minutes, when their PCs and/or VoIP phones are left unused.

So he’s looking for a way to stop call forwarding to certain numbers. At certain times.

It’s an unusual request. And after checking, we determined that such a setting isn’t currently available in Lync.

That doesn’t mean it’s not possible to configure call forwarding on a more granular level, though. In fact we came across two options for advanced call forwarding configuration. Here they are.

Tweak Call Forwarding with the “Set-CsClientPolicy” PowerShell Command

If you prefer administering in PowerShell, the Set-CsClientPolicy gives you dozens of configuration options for Lync client policies. Including call forwarding options.

For example, you could use the -HotdeskingTimeout switch to log a user out of their Lync Phone Edition after a short period of time (default is 5 minutes, but it can go down to as short as 30 seconds).

Or use -BlockConversationFromFederatedContacts to stop certain users from receiving outside calls initiated by the outside-the-office party. (Users can still call out though.)

Reserve Policy Control to the Admins with PolicyPak for Lync

We also located a third-party solution which allows you to manage Lync using Group Policy – PolicyPak for Lync. It operates like a layer on top of GPO, building in new options. Geared toward controlling which parts of the Lync client interface users can (and cannot) access.

The introductory video shows how to enable/disable a few common client settings. In terms of configuring call forwarding, PolicyPak for Lync essentially removes the control from users and puts it all in the administrator’s hands. Setting the policies you want becomes a piece of cake.

Want to test it out? A free Community Edition is available if you attend a PolicyPak webinar.

I’d recommend using Set-CsClientPolicy before trying PolicyPak. Just because there’s a lot of options available on that page, and it’s all built into Lync Server already. Still, both are useful ways of configuring many Lync client options. Including where & when calls can be forwarded.

P.S. – If you’re still on OCS 2007 R2 and you want to configure call forwarding, try Unify2′s Call Forwarding Configuration Utility. It lets OCS administrators configure simultaneous ring and call forwarding settings for users, from the same interface. Some of this functionality IS available in Lync Server though; if you haven’t upgraded, now’s the time to do it!

The Duo variant of the BIZ 620 USB. Image courtesy of Jabra.com.

Didn’t we already review this headset? Well, yes and no.

I titled this a “mini-review” because I did post a review on the Jabra BIZ 620 USB headset last month.

But one thing’s different today. Last month’s review was done on the Mono (single earpiece) model.

The Jabra BIZ 620 Duo has two earpieces.

Like its Mono brother, it has an adjustable microphone arm on one earpiece. The mic swivels to either side, so you can use it on the left or right ear (I prefer the right).

In fact switching the headset around is easier to do with the Duo model, since both ears are covered anyway.

Headset controls are located in the same call control knob as the Mono model. Located on the headset’s cord, it has four buttons for adjusting volume up/down, answering a call, and ending a call.

Advantages of the Jabra 620 Duo: Better Focus on Conversations, Music Playback

As someone who’s always used one ear with their phone, the Jabra 620 Duo takes a little bit of adjustment. The good kind – with two earpieces, it’s easier to tune out background noises when you have a call.

Test calls revealed the same audio quality, in and out, as the 620 Mono. That and the dual earpieces make Lync calls easy to make, pay full attention to, and end with a button-push.

Oh, and the 620 Duo will play music through its earpieces ( the Mono wouldn’t).

Comfort Warning: Don’t Fiddle With It Too Much

The only disadvantage I note is the weight of the control knob. It can pull down on the headset if you move it too much. With the Mono headset this isn’t too big a deal.

But with the Duo headset, you’re aware of the other ear piece slipping off your ear when it pulls down. More to adjust. So you notice it more quickly.

Still, pretty small price to pay for an immersive VoIP headset with good sound quality and an adjustable mic!

What headset do you use with Lync?

Something a little different this week – two mini-posts!

One today on a Lync Server update. One tomorrow on the Jabra BIZ 620 Duo USB headset.

Mobile Clients are Coming Soon: Prepare Lync Server

Yesterday I tweeted a link to a recent Microsoft announcement: Lync clients coming soon for Windows Phone 7, the iOS platform, and Android (via Engadget).

Last week, Microsoft also released a new Cumulative Update for Lync Server 2010 – one intended to prepare Lync for use of these new mobile clients.

The update, Cumulative Update 4, consists of multiple server-side (and client-side) updates, as well as six new Cmdlets. The cmdlets are what mark this as a mobility update. Tom Arbuthnot has written thorough descriptions of the cmdlets over at the Lync’d Up blog. I’ll just give overviews on what they do here (go read his post for full information – it’s worth it!).

1. CsAutodiscoverConfiguration: Lets you change Autodiscover settings. Autodiscover helps client apps (like a mobile Lync client) find certain resources, like a user pool.
2. New-CsWebLink: Creates a Web link to Autodiscover. Handy for updating configuration with new clients.
3. Test-CsMcxPushNotification: Verifies that Push Notification’s working, so you’re able to send notifications out to mobile devices.
4. CsMobilityPolicy: Lets you control Mobility Policies. In Lync, these policies govern who can use a mobile client, as well as if you can use Call via Work (using work numbers instead of mobile numbers for calls).
5. CsMcxConfiguration: Configures Lync Server Mobility Service settings. Enabling mobile devices to use many of Lync’s services – Presence information, voicemails, conferencing, etc.
6. CsPushNotificationConfiguration: This cmdlet lets you configure Push Notification.

Lync Server Updates for Core Components, Administration and Clients: Install Them All

The Cumulative Update 4 files are available for download at Microsoft Downloads. The easiest installation method would be to use the Cumulative Update Installer (LyncServerUpdateInstaller.exe).

If that doesn’t work for you, look under “Installation Methods” on this Microsoft Support page for a manual install option.

And as Justin Morris wisely reminds us – don’t forget to backup your Lync Server setup first!

Check back tomorrow for our second Lync headset review!

Some people learn by reading, some by doing, and some by seeing. Which are you?

Up until now I haven’t done much beyond text on this blog. But today, I have a treat for the visual learners – eight Lync Server how-to videos!

I’ve written a lot of how-to on this blog over the past year. Most of what’s covered in these videos can be found here in text format. However, if you’d rather SEE how to set up an Edge Server or call forwarding, these are for you.

How to Install a Lync Server: Start to Finish, on Video

The first 5 videos come from a YouTube member named “ITBananas.” (Their YouTube Channel is here: http://www.youtube.com/user/itbananas) We’re looking at a 5-part series on how to install and configure a Lync Server 2010 setup.

I suggest watching these in Full Screen mode. It makes seeing the options selected easier.

Video 1 – Install and Configure Lync Server 2010 – Installing ADCS

Video 2 – Install and Configure Lync Server 2010 – Prerequisites

Video 3 – Install and Configure Lync Server 2010 Part 1

Video 4 – Install and Configure Lync Server 2010 Part 2

Video 5 – Install and Configure Lync Server 2010 Part 3

The videos can run a little fast. And there’s no voiceover. (I don’t mind that, but it might throw you off if you expected audio.)

Nonetheless, these make for a good step-by-step visual aid to installing Lync Server.

More How-To: Edge Servers, Call Forwarding and Making Lync Calls

Add an Edge Server to Lync Server 2010

This video was posted by “AhmedYousryHassan,” who’s likely a Microsoft tech. (The “Microsoft TechNet” logo at the beginning, and the contoso.net domain used, sort of give it away.)

This video does have voiceover. It walks you through using Topology Builder to add an Edge server to an existing Lync setup.

It’s a very clear how-to on one specific task. I’m adding this to our training regimen.

Setup Call Forwarding and Simultaneous ring in Lync 2010

We’ve had a few call forwarding questions lately, so I wanted to include a good how-to video for setting it up.

Since this one comes from the Microsoft Lync Adoption and Training Kit, I’d say it qualifies.

Make a Call Using Lync 2010

The acting is kind of bland, but don’t let that ruin this Microsoft training video. It does a good job of showing Lync’s call options. Starting calls from IM, adding people to existing calls, two-click conference calls, and so on.

What other Lync Server videos have you seen? Any good how-to’s we should mention here?

First off, I want to say thank you to all the new signups, and the people who’ve emailed me with questions! We’ve had a lot of conversations lately. It’s great! Lync Server adoption is growing like crazy (not just on the blog too – we’re getting more & more consulting projects on it).

Today’s post centers on the Skype purchase. Yes, once again. Someone asked about it, honest!

Thing is, they asked me a very poignant question:
“What else do you think is in the cards for Skype at Microsoft? I’m thinking about Windows 8, mostly.”

GOOD question. And from just a little research, I determined that we’re not the only ones who’ve weighed in on it lately.

Skype’s Future at Microsoft: Ars Technica Speculates

Big-name tech news site Ars Technica posted on this the other day. Jon Brodkin speculated on “integration everywhere,” putting everything from Windows Phone to Xbox Live to Windows 8 on Skype’s potential-destination radar.

Jon has some very good points about how easily Skype could be integrated into the Microsoft software base. I think building it into Xbox Live and Windows desktop make a lot of sense. With that in mind, I’ll say this:
Adding Skype as a default option to Windows 8 is the smart play.

Picture this. You install Windows 8 around this time next year, on a dozen tablets for employees. Lync Server is already running on your back-end. The Skype client included in your Windows 8 detects each employee’s Lync credentials, auto-configures…and poof, your employees are able to call anyone.

I mean *anyone.* In the office or around the world. The VoIP in Skype and the Unified Communications in Lync, working together.

Pick up a Windows Phone and you’d have the same connectivity there. Same interface too. Sounds like a good future for Skype, doesn’t it?

Will Skype Grow, Shrink, or Vanish? Web Users Weigh In

That wasn’t the only speculation I came across though. Many Web users have their own questions. And their own concerns.

I’ve copied out a few of them below. And added my own thoughts. Some useful food for thought, for those of us involved in office communications.

“Do we have to use an integrated client?”
I suspect there will be several client options. A “basic” Skype client, Lync 2010 with Skype baked in, a Windows Phone app, etc.

“Skype on Windows Phone 7?”
As one commenter said on the Ars Technica piece, “Microsoft could easily roll its own telephony package.”  With the Skype technology and a Lync backend, they could indeed. That’s a bit more ambitious than I was thinking. It would be a very good pull for Windows Phone though!

“Skype allowed multiple logins before. Will we lose that?”
More than one person was interested in multiple logins. Since a seamless integration – not just with Lync, but also with Windows Phone and Xbox – makes sense, multiple logins is still a safe bet.

“Will Skype disappear into Lync and Windows Live Messenger?”
Unlikely. The Skype contact interface is too well-known to just throw it out. It’s more likely that Windows Live Messenger will take on most of Skype’s interface.
Lync less so, since it has its own interface. That will be more of an in-process integration; certain steps to use Lync may come to resemble Skype.

“Skype’s painfully inefficient. Anything Microsoft does will be an improvement.”
While that seems a little excessive, a lot of user complaints about Skype are that it’s slow. Bloated, memory hog, call it whatever you want.
Will that increase load time for Lync? Or other Windows integrations? Possibly. It IS a disparate code base. One possible method would be to re-develop segments of the code as they’re integrated into separate Microsoft platforms (one for Lync, one for Xbox, one for Windows 7, one for Windows 8…).

Hopefully Microsoft will release some additional plans soon. Now that the merger is approved, they’ll want to avoid wild speculation going on too long.

Since there’s already so much discussion, they’d better hurry!

I hope this sates your curiosity (for now). Next week I’ll discuss a Lync bug we came across in our latest implementation.