Microsoft Lync Server 2013 is the sixth generation of an increasingly popular universal communications and collaboration platform. It provides real-time communication and collaboration features such as presence, instant messaging, native Voice over IP audio and video calling, conferencing, application and desktop sharing; Lync also serves as a full PBX and telephony replacement through integration with PSTN and SIP networks (which Microsoft refers to as Enterprise Voice).

A great deal of documentation and tools exist on how to implement key elements of a successful Lync solution (including this very book). At face value, Lync installation seems like an easy, wizard-based, repetitive process. What many seem to overlook is the impact of adding real-time communications to an existing network infrastructure, an issue that we have seen occurring far too often.

The reality is that Lync is a complex ecosystem with several dependencies, some of which are not strictly technical.

Deploying...