In preparation for my “Whats new in Skype for Business?” article, I dug up this unpublished blog. I’m a bit late to the party here I know! In any case hopefully some of you find this information useful.
Server Roles
- Monitoring and Archiving server is now co-located on the Front End server which reports directly to the monitoring/archiving backend database.
- A/V conferencing is now always installed on the Front End server.
- The uncommonly used Director role is no longer recommended but still available as an option.
- Persistent Chat is a new server sole that replaces Group Chat
- XMPP federation is now fully integrated
DR/High Availability
- Backup registrar is taken a step further allowing users maintain nearly all functionality in the event of a failed pool. Previously with Lync 2010 only voice was resilient. User data is now replicated between paired pools. Response Groups are still not highly available but can easily be backed up and restored manually within a 15 minutes.
- In Lync 2010 when the backend database goes down Lync goes in to a limited functionality mode. With Lync 2013 the Front End servers keep a full copy of the SQL backend databases. Lync 2013 also supports SQL mirroring on the back-end databases.
Enterprise Voice
- In Lync 2010 a Gateway could only be associated with 1 Mediation server without the use of DNS trickery. Now in Lync 2013 Gateway/Trunks can be associated to multiple Mediation servers.
- Inter-trunk routing is now supported so Lync can now be responsible for all call routing e.g. Lync could route a call from the PSTN to a legacy phone system.
- Trunk translation rules can now not only be applied to the “called party” but also the “calling Party”. This makes Caller ID presentation is much more manageable in Lync 2013.
- Delegates can now set up simultaneous ringing to their mobile devices for incoming calls to their managers. This provides delegates with more flexibility, enabling them to answer calls on behalf of their manager without being tied to a desk phone.
- With Voicemail Escape Lync can determine if the call was answered immediately without ringing (for example if the call goes straight to voicemail) and pull the call back so it continues to ring on the user’s other endpoints.
Integration with Lync Online
- Hybrid deployments now support a mixture of Lync on-premises and Lync Online users.
Persistent Chat
- Persistent Chat replaces Group Chat, and is now fully integrated in to Lync as a new server role. The Lync 2013 client supports this natively.
Clients
- Vastly revamped Windows simplifies user experience
- Windows Phone, iOS, and Android mobile clients can now join meetings as well as make audio/video calls via WiFi or mobile data
- Lync Web App has had a major overhaul making it much easier to use and now with full conference support
- Lync Room System specifically designed for meeting rooms
Other
- IPv6 supported
- VDI plugin for virtual desktop environments
- HD support up to 1080p. Clients now use best supported video quality e.g. If HD is supported by some participants but not others Lync will present the best option for each client device. Previously Lync 2010 would reduce video quality for all participants to match the least capable device.
- Skype Federation
- Unified Contact store allows Lync contacts to be stored in Exchange. This includes a feature to merge duplicate contacts.
- Archiving integration with Exchanges Legal Hold feature
- Response Groups now support the delegation of managers and administrators
More Information
New Server Features – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg425795.aspx
New Client Features – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg398192.aspx
