Microsoft OCS 2007 is now Microsoft Lync

Microsoft OCS 2007 is now Microsoft Lync. Microsoft announced the new name change and they've made the "bits" available to download to the public. Microsoft's Kirk Gregersen, Lync Product Management said:

 

"A key part of the release is the re-branding to Microsoft Lync."  [Click HERE for more...]

 

Microsoft Lync, what was commonly known as "OCS" is made up of the following products:

• Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2
• Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2
• Microsoft Office Communications Online
• Microsoft Office Live Meeting

At the same time that we needed one name to help unify things with this release, we also wanted to make sure that the new name really reflects the big product transformation with this release. In that sense, Lync - a combination of "link" and "sync" - is about connecting people in new ways, anytime, anywhere. Beyond simplifying and shortening the current branding, the team's customer research found that the name Lync appeals to end users and IT pros, even more than descriptive options, and really helped land the value prop with end users. We hope you'll grow to like the name as much as we have.

 

The Lync Server 2010 RC includes both the Enterprise and Standard editions of the server, plus the Lync 2010 client (new Communicator). Microsoft Lync Server 2010 is 64-bit only.

Here's an overview plus important info posted about Microsoft Lync on Microsoft's site:

 

Microsoft Lync Server 2010 provides complete presence, instant messaging, conferencing and enterprise voice capabilities 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 capabilities 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.

 

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.