Unified Communications Platform. Complete presence, instant messaging, conferencing and enterprise voice abilities. Microsoft Lync Server is the next generation of Microsoft's unified communications program that enables people to connect in new ways, anytime, anywhere. Lync is the new family brand for the products formerly known as Communications Server, Communications Online and Communicator, and it also now includes Lync Web App, and Lync Online. The release candidates of Lync 2010 and Lync 2010 are now available for businesses of all sizes to try for free.

Microsoft Lync Server provides complete presence, instant messaging, conferencing and enterprise voice abilities through a single, easy to use interface that is consistent across PC, browser, and mobile device. You can Architect your deployment for high availability using data center resiliency and survivable branch appliances.
Administrators benefit from a single, consistent management infrastructure, new abilities to increase availability, and interoperability with existing systems. Administrators also use a new PowerShell-based foundation for administration consistent with Exchange Server, Active Directory, and other Microsoft server products.

1. Find the right people, right now
See the availability of colleagues immediately with detailed presence information. Easily find others in your organization by name using global directory search, or by interest and expertise using Microsoft SharePoint powered Skill Search.

2. Communicate how you want
Switch instantly among instant messaging, voice, video, conferencing, and software sharing, as needed, during any conversation.

3. Turn any conversation into a collaboration
Whether you're conversing person to person or in a conference, a single click is all it takes to share an software or your desktop, upload a PowerPoint, open a whiteboard, or transfer a file in real time.

4. Connect with your social network
Communicate your personal status using the status note in the main Microsoft Lync UI, and keep track of updates from your colleagues through the Activity Feed tab. Use pictures and video calling to make long distance communications more personal.

5. Dial with ease
Dial by name using your Contact list or the search functions, or use the dial-pad in the Microsoft Lync Phone tab to easily make voice calls. Visual access to voicemail in the Phone tab lets you listen to messages and view the corresponding Outlook item and automatic transcription.

6. Control how people reach you
Use Presence and privacy settings to control how others contact you, and your call forwarding settings to ring other numbers and identify others to handle calls on your behalf.

7. Communicate directly from Microsoft Office
Bring other users in to comment on documents and spreadsheets without switching applications.

8. Work from anywhere
Stay in communication and productive anywhere you have an Internet connection-no VPN required.

Please Note: This Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Release Candidate includes both editions of the server (Enterprise Edition and Standard Edition), along with the Microsoft Lync 2010 client.

Limitations:
* The RC version of the program will cease to function on or around February 20, 2011.

The license of this software is Freeware, you can free download and free use this instant messenger software.