The newly issued Microsoft (News - Alert) Lync 2010 platform has everyone in a tizzy this morning as release after release are coming out about its dazzling new unified communications solutions. The latest to join the ranks of businesses adopting Lync’s features is Orange Business Services, a company known as a global integrator of communications solutions for multinational corporations.

Integrating Polycom (News - Alert) and Microsoft technologies, Orange Business Services is offering packaged, user-ready UC solutions and services that are designed to include Polycom voice and video products. The products are optimized for the next-gen communications server, Microsoft Lync 2010 as well as Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2.

The hot topic is the “workspace of the future.” I recently reported on a Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert) survey from earlier this year detailing that businesses with installed bases of fully integrated UC solutions will grow from 2.1 million users in 2009 to 50 million by 2015. UC solutions are going to be vital and permanent sources of cost-saving implementations, and any business that can hop on board with this trend is going to be celebrating with bells and whistles in a few years.

When employees can utilize UC solutions to more effectively communicate, a business saves time and money. Microsoft Lync unifies communications through its collaboration tools including instant messaging and presence with high-def voice and video from Polycom.

"Consumerization of IT is a reality today. Employees require leading-edge communications tools and global enterprises require seamless, secure connections between people, teams and knowledge. The ultimate goal of both is to create a fluid work environment that encourages meaningful, efficient communication, whether employees are in an office or on the go. Our relationships with Microsoft and Polycom, coupled with our integration know-how, enable us to deliver solutions that truly help enterprises increase business and employee productivity, while maintaining security and lowering cost," stated Paul Molinier, vice president, Unified Communications (News - Alert) & Collaboration, Orange Business Services.

TMC’s CEO Rich Tehrani mulled over what’s to come from the new Lync offerings here: http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/microsoft/microsoft-lync-server-2010-impresses.html.

Juliana Kenny graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in English and French. After managing a small company for two years, she joined TMC (News - Alert) as a Web Editor for TMCnet. Juliana currently focuses on the call center and CRM industries, but she also writes about cloud telephony and network gear including softswitches.

Edited by Juliana Kenny