Here’s a little speculation of my own. I think Lync Instant Messaging could grow into a replacement for texting.

I know that seems like a huge leap. But bear with me while I tease out some thoughts.

Consider the following:

• Texting is more popular than talking.
• Phones are primarily seen as data devices nowadays.
• Lync clients already exist for mobile devices.
• All Lync Mobile clients are capable of Instant Messaging.
• In terms of usability, IM is only 1 step away from texting. Both convey short written messages over whatever connection is available. The only major difference is that text messages can be sent via PSTN.
• Phones are geared more toward texting than voice now.
• Younger generations of businesspeople are already used to doing business over social media, email, IM–and yes, texting.

So, my speculation doesn’t look so implausible. Instant Messaging is very close to texting. Texting won’t do anything but grow in the future. Bridging the two, tweaking IM into a texting medium, is conceivable.

How would it work though?

The Method: Build an SMS Gateway into Lync Server

The simplest solution would be to build an SMS gateway into the next version of Lync Server.
(Maybe not EASY, but simple!)

An SMS gateway would allow Lync users to send texts the same way they do instant messages. The gateway pipes them out to the Internet (or the PSTN via Mediation Server).

We’re halfway there already.

A company called Geomant has developed SMS for Lync – an add-on which allows you to send & receive texts like they’re IMs.

It is not an SMS gateway; Geomant lists four gateway providers you can use with SMS for Lync. But it creates the functionality in Lync 2010. Seamless. Just like IM.

Which means if such a gateway were built into Lync Server, using it for texting IS achievable.

The Snag: Telecom via Satellites VS. Lync via Internet

SMS is not dependent on the PSTN to transmit text messages. Google Voice proves that.

But most text messages are sent through telecom carriers like AT&T and Verizon. Using, among other things, communications satellites.

Merging IM and texting in Lync Server would change the primary transmission medium to the Internet. (At least, that would make the most sense to me.)

This presents a snag in adoption. Telecoms won’t just give up the satellites. And increasing the amount of text messages sent via the Internet could strain existing channels (more than they are already!).

The saving grace might come in the “session” orientation of Instant Messaging. People in IM conversations tend to encapsulate those conversations into one period of time. One ‘session’ where they communicate what’s needed.

Text messages are less structured, more random. Combine the two, and you may introduce a little structure without damaging the “anytime” nature of texting.

What do you think? Would Microsoft be smart to integrate texting into a future Lync Server?

After the post, I received a tweet from Matt Landis, WCF’s creator. He made a very good point – Awareness of federation and its benefits is even more important than the directory.

(By the way, that directory is up t 8,300 orgs as of 5-9-12. Matt wants to get to 10K. If your organization has Lync Server installed and federation set up, go sign up!.)

I also received some emails wanting to hear more about federation.

Since I always like making Lync Insider readers happy, I’ll help out more!

First off, you don’t need to belong to a federation directory to take advantage of federation! All you need is the Who Can Federate (WCF) Tool. Find who you can federate with among your clients and partners, and add a few contacts from there.

I’ll even give you a couple reasons why, after this little walkthrough of the Who Can Federate Tool.

First: Install WCF. Then: Add Federated Contacts.

Grab the Who Can Federate Tool at the TechNet Gallery. Unzip and run setup.exe.

(Make sure you place the setup file where you want it to stay before running setup.exe! The WCF Tool will not run if you move the files afterward. You’ll receive an error that says, “You cannot start application Who Can Federate Tool from this location because it is already installed from a different location.”)

Once setup is done, you’ll be able to run the tool. It’ll start up like this:

I recommend un-checking the box next to “Auto submit new domains after scan” at the bottom. Just in case the other organizations you turn up don’t want to be listed in the Directory. It’s only polite.

There’s two options to choose from before clicking the Scan button. Along the top you’ll see “Outlook 2010 Contact Folder to Scan” and a drop-down menu. The drop-down menu has two choices: Contacts and Suggested Contacts.

Selecting “Contacts” will scan for federated partners among your Outlook saved contacts.
Selecting “Suggested Contacts” will scan for federated partners among the email addresses you’ve communicated with. (This can take a little while.)

All you have to do is choose an option and click the Scan button.

After a moment, you’ll see a list of contacts you can federate with. I’ve posted a second screenshot to show you what the results look like.

Some may already be in your Lync 2010 Contacts list. If they aren’t (and you want to add them) just double-click.

As you’ll see in the screenshot, there are also two clickable options in the bottom left of the tool.

“Add Your Organization” – Sends you to a Directory submission page. You enter your contact details, company name and Lync Server domain, and click “Subscribe to List” to be added to the Worldwide Microsoft Lync Federation Directory.

“See Directory Stats” – Sends you straight to the Lync Federation Directory page. So you can see the stats.

Why Make Use of Federation? A Few Reasons

Federation was included in Lync Server to provide a communications bridge between different organizations. It’s a service you can use in many different ways, depending on what your role is and who you’re talking to.

Customer Service. Provide a multiple-avenue communications channel for customers to resolve issues. If their problem can’t be resolved in an IM, escalating to a phone call takes less time than you took reading this sentence. (Credit to Tom Keating for the suggestion.)

Test a Lync Server Remotely. IT administrators can verify successful Lync Server installations by scanning with the WCF Tool. If their customers’ contacts show up as federated, Lync Server’s running fine!

Scheduling International Discussions. If you have a Lync-enabled vendor or partner overseas, and need a question answered, Federation + Presence tells you when someone is available to answer.

Do you use federation? What’s the most useful thing about it to you?

Should you join one of these directories? Or is it an unnecessary risk?

Federation’s Positives – Keep in Touch Easily, Save on Calls & Conferences

In a nutshell, federation lets your users communicate with another organization’s Lync Server. Said organization is considered a “federated partner” within Lync.

Any enabled organization can federate with another, if they so choose. Federate with partners, clients, suppliers, branch locations, etc.

Federation conveys a lot of benefits to both sides. It’s really easy to keep in touch via IM, with Presence to tell you who’s available. Turning a conversation into a conference happens with a click.

And best of all, this is all done on one Lync Server’s connection to another Lync Server. No phone lines used. No extra costs.

Distraction: The Drawback of a Federation Directory

Imagine you had a big phone book on your desk. Inside is a list of organizations you’re able to call. You can talk to them about anything – including your business.

They’re not expecting your call. But you have their number, so it must be okay to call, right?

That’s the big drawback of a Lync Federation Directory. It acts like a Lync-specific phone book…and it’s publicly accessible.

People you don’t know can find your organization and try to federate. If they’re successful, they can bother your employees. Spam via Lync IM, bleh!

This is the risk I see in adding your name to these lists.

I DON’T think distractions like this happen often. Maybe not at all. But with any technology, the more it’s adopted, the more potential for abuse exists.

Now, that doesn’t mean directories are a bad idea! Far from it. Federation IS a useful part of Lync. And the number of organizations using Lync Server won’t stop growing any time soon. If you want to benefit from Lync Federation, choose a directory and sign up!
Microsoft Lync Federation Directory
Lync Federation Directory Project – Windows PBX & UC Blog

P.S. – Try the Who Can Federate Tool to See…Who You Can Federate With!

One way to see if signup on a Federation Directory is worthwhile, is to see how many of your contacts use Lync Server. Matt Landis at the Windows PBX & UC Blog has created a tool to do this for you.

Who Can Federate Tool – TechNet Gallery

This tool tells you how many of your Outlook contacts have federation enabled. You can then add those contacts to your Lync contact list.

If the number is high, then maybe signup on a Federation Directory WOULD benefit you!

Since I promised a “takeaway” post of some sort last week, I’ll use this post to answer the questions you sent in.

Who would you recommend these Lync Server Jump Starts for?

Anyone new to Lync’s administration side of things. But not IT administration in general – they do require basic knowledge of server operations and networking.

Are video recordings available?

Not yet. But this is their most likely destination when they are posted: Technet Edge Videos
(The Jump Start team might be waiting until after this week’s course is over. I’ll update this section when recordings are posted.)
UPDATE: Video recordings are now available at: http://aka.ms/DeployLync
(Requires Windows Live account)

Are the slide decks available for download?

Download links to the slides are (right now) only accessible if you’ve signed up for one of the Jump Start courses. I’ve requested a public download link from Microsoft. I do have the slides, but unless they say it’s all right to post them, I’d rather not do so beforehand.
UPDATE: I’ve received permission from Microsoft to post this link: Lync 2010 Jump Start: Session Downloads. Click on the title of each session to find the download links for the slides (the video recordings are also available for download here, too).

Is this course enough to prepare you for the 70-664 (Lync Server 2010, Configuring) exam?

Not quite. It’s billed as giving most of the required material, but not all. If you’re just starting the certification process, use this course to familiarize yourself with the many parts of Lync Server. Then, build on it with additional study materials like:

• Help Preparing for Lync Server Certifications: Resources and Direction
• Follow-Ups: More Resources for Lync Certs and Branch Appliances
• 31 Lync Training Videos from MacroConnect
• Mastering Lync Server 2010 by Nathan Winters – Amazon Link

What was the most important part of the course?

I’d have to say it was Day 2, the Enterprise Voice discussions. (Voice Day, yaaay!)

Enterprise Voice is arguably the most complex part of Lync Server. Devoting a whole day to its many components and interactions was a great idea. And they sure picked it apart – going from PSTN connectivity to Mediation Servers. Voice policies to Call Park. Exchange Unified Messaging integration to Response Groups.

The instructors gave several demos to show, real-time, how Enterprise Voice processes are put in place.

Including how to integrate Lync Server with Exchange Server 2010 SP1. I’ve copied the 3 slides they gave as a reference for that, in Module 6b.

Step 1: Integration Tools
These two tools – one in Exchange Server, one in Lync Server – make integration possible.

Step 2: Integration on Exchange’s Side
Create a UM SIP Dial Plan in Exchange Server 2010 SP1.

Step 3: Integration on Lync’s Side, and Use the Tools
Configure Lync’s dial plans to match the Exchange plan. Then, run Exchange’s exchucutil.ps1. Afterward, run Lync’s ocsumutil.exe.

That’s an oversimplified explanation. But you see how the Jump Start listed out steps in their presentation. When paired with their discussion, you can easily see how the process works.

Don’t forget – the second Jump Start, Planning and Designing a Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Solution is going on right now (started yesterday).

Sign up at the link (free) and you’ll be able to follow along today and tomorrow. You can download the slides from yesterday, today and tomorrow as well.

Did you attend the Jump Start? What for? And did you get what you wanted out of it?

I wouldn’t skip a post just for ANY class, though. No, no, only a Lync Server JumpStart class could do that:
Deploying, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Lync Server 2010

It’s halfway through by now (mid-Wednesday), but I’m sure you can still join if you want. Registration is free.

So far it’s a great brush-up on Lync configuration steps. Lots of good fodder for the blog too. (Don’t worry, I have plenty of notes already!)

If you’d prefer a course on planning Lync Server solutions, you’re in luck. Next week a second JumpStart class is available:
Planning and Designing a Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Solution

It will run Tuesday April 24th through Thursday April 26th. 9am-4pm PST. Registration, once again, is free!

You’ll either have a “course takeaway” post on Friday, or next Wednesday. Until then!

Lots of people are talking Lync these days. (Seems like I’m fielding questions via email and Twitter every other day!)

Some news articles about Lync adoption this week got me thinking about this. About all the places these conversations come from.

You might assume businesses would make up the vast majority of Lync Server inquiries. (I did at one point.) But, you’d be wrong.

Yes, businesses are adopting Lync Server every day now. But other organizations are as well – and the variety of reasons they have for choosing Lync Server are all over the place.

So today’s post is about the non-business organizations who use Lync Server. What types of organization they are, and what benefits they draw from adopting Lync.

Not sure if your organization should try Lync out? Uncertain of how its tools would help you? Maybe these examples will give you some ideas.

(I won’t name names, unless I’ve already been given permission, or media citations exist. PlanetMagpie protects the privacy of our clients and our prospects.)

Organization Type 1: Schools & Universities

The University of the West England in the UK has deployed Lync Server 2010. Primary reasons? Use of voice telephony, and meeting collaboration. Perfect for large university campuses.

Even high schools are getting in on the action. Remember our recent guest post on Custom Presence Status? Mr. Christie, its author, works for the High School of Dundee in Scotland. They’re deploying Lync to make communication between teachers and offices much easier. (IM doesn’t disrupt students too much during class.)

Organization Type 2: Religious Organizations

There’s a lot of structure to religious organizations. It makes sense that they’d need a solid way to keep in touch with constituents, and fellow organizations.

We’re working with a Catholic office which is looking at Lync for giving presentations and VoIP. It’s a lower cost than using a PBX, and having on-the-fly presentation ability in-house saves them time when hosting guests and running classes.

Organization Type 3: Non-Profits

Non-profits exist in many shapes and sizes. The number we’ve spoken to have Lync needs just as varied. A charity is implementing Lync to bridge a communication gap between its main office and three branch offices. A hospital on the East Coast asked us about which Lync phones are best in high-traffic environments. We even had a non-profit which ran all Macs and iPads asking us about Lync Server!

Organization Type 4: Governments

Last month, the Argyll and Bute Council in Scotland adopted Lync Server for use across 60 separate locations. According to this TMCNet article on the adoption, the Council wants to use Presence and video conferencing for flexible remote work.

More locally, a county Transportation Authority here in California told us that they’d switched to Lync. They wanted training help on all Lync aspects. That was part of reason I blogged about the Lync Training Package (Part 1) (Part 2).

Organization Type 4: International Firms

Almost half of the emails to this blog come from overseas. Hong Kong, Europe, South Africa, you name it. The organizations vary from businesses to non-profits to charities.

VoIP is the big request with these firms. Especially when it comes to Skype. The recent purchase & integration announcements have either encouraged Skype-using international firms to consider Lync…or they’re a bit nervous and want some reassurance they’ll still have Skype’s functionality post-integration!

I find the international attention really encouraging, since it means so many more organizations worldwide are exploring Lync Server.

Many Organizations, Many Uses for Lync Server

When potential clients come talk to us about Lync Server 2010, they’re usually zeroed in on one aspect of it. We want the VoIP, they’ll say. Or, we heard Lync does web conferences.

It’s fun to watch their eyebrows rise when we tell them everything ELSE Lync does.

If you don’t have Lync Server yet, did this post give you ideas on what benefits Lync can bring? Which service are you most looking forward to?

Let me back up a second. The other day, I won an iPad 2 from a raffle! OpSource ran the raffle at Cloud Connect 2012. (Great way to start your week, huh?)

After familiarizing myself and loading up a few apps, I grabbed the Lync for iPad client app too. (We’ve visited mobile clients before, in case you missed it.)

Lync for iPad does most everything the Lync 2010 desktop client does. There’s a few limitations – you can’t modify your contacts lists for one. Or view video in online meetings. Or share your desktop. But IM, Presence, Voice? All available.

Okay, so time to try this out.

Dead simple sign-in here. Just enter your Lync login and password, and click Sign In. Lync Server is up & functioning normally. You’ve already pushed out desktop clients…should log in without a hitch, right?

And then my login failed.

(In case you can’t read the error line well, it says, “Can’t connect to the server. It might be unavailable. Also please check your network connection, sign-in address and server addresses.”)

Uh oh. Something’s not working.

Mobile Support Not Ready, Captain! Prepare the CU4 and Mobility Service Update!

As it turns out, the problem isn’t one ‘something.’ It’s two.

There are two prerequisites to using Lync for iPad. Both must be installed on Lync Server before I can connect.

1. Lync Server Cumulative Update 4 (CU4)
2. Lync Mobility Service and Autodiscover Service (properly configured)

Remember back in December, when I discussed CU4? That’s half of the solution for running Lync on iPads (and iPhones, Androids, etc.).

The other half is the Lync Server 2010 Mobility Service and Autodiscover Service. It’s a free add-on which essentially expands your Lync setup to include mobile devices.

Since my CU4 post, the “I’m a UC Blog” has posted a great step-by-step guide to installing the Lync Mobility Service and Autodiscover Service.

The setup process goes like this:

1. Create internal and external discovery records.
2. Install Cumulative Update 4 (CU4) if it isn’t already.
3. Adjust Windows Server 2008 and ASP.NET, if necessary.
4. Install the Mobility Service components.
5. Update internal SAN certificate.
6. Configure Forefront TMG with a new Web Publishing Rule for Lync Mobility.

(They even included Forefront TMG configuration steps!)

Before You IM on iPad, Download CU4 and the Mobility Service Components

If you want to use Lync Server on mobile devices – including the iPad – then you must setup Cumulative Update 4 and the Mobility Service (and Autodiscover Service) first.

I’ve mentioned CU4 already, and last month CU5 was released. You should have both installed. If not, head to my previous posts right now!

For those who just need the download links, here they are:
Lync Server Cumulative Update 4 Downloads – Microsoft Downloads

Lync Server 2010 Mobility Service and Autodiscover Service Components – Microsoft Downloads

Now, time for me to pester the server team about finishing these updates!
When we’re done, I’ll take you on a screenshot tour of Lync for iPad.

Do you have Lync clients running on an iPad? What’s your experience like so far?

Hmmmm. Interesting. Now, Lync Server does all of this, via A/V Conferencing Server and Enterprise Voice. Would this Lucid Meetings have some use to people who don’t have Lync (yet)?

Or maybe it has something Lync doesn’t?

And here they’ve kindly to offer me a free trial.

In the end, I decided it was worth a check.

Initial Impression: Simple, Straightforward Meeting Setup

(I apologize if the following screenshots don’t look too good. It’s a broad site, in terms of screen space.)

Signup was simple – you create a login at http://meet.lucidmeetings.com, use a coupon code if you have one, and done!

After that, I was presented with my “Review Room.”

Pretty clean dashboard. Lists recent meetings, my Room Bridge number, and tabs for contacts & settings. You’ll note a list of additional options in the toolbar at top right. One-click access to my dashboard, to the Meeting Rooms I can attend (there’s only one in this trial), search and help.

Next I clicked the “Schedule a Meeting” button on the right. To, what else? Schedule a test meeting.

I then beheld this setup screen:

Let me draw your attention to something: Under “Phone and Voice” on this screenshot, you’ll see three options.
• None
• Use Lucid Meetings Integrated Audio (the default)
• Enter a New Number for This Meeting

This means you could use Lync numbers with Lucid Meetings. Their FAQ even backs this up:

Do you support VOIP or Skype?
Not at this time, but we’re working on it. However, you can always use a separate VOIP or Skype solution in conjunction with Lucid Meetings.
http://www.lucidmeetings.com/docs/conference-calls

Next you must create an Agenda, and add people (by email address). There are a couple options for agendas if you don’t have one, including Standard Agenda and Committee/Team Agenda. I picked Committee/Team.

Running a Lucid Meeting: Agenda Steps and Action Items

I went ahead and started the meeting right after setting it up. Here’s the “Meeting in Progress” screen.

I looped a co-worker into the meeting as a test (after taking this screenshot). Since it’s browser-based, no special configuration or preparations were necessary.

Conference call quality is comparable to Lync Server. Recording conference calls may be initiated the facilitator at any time. Lucid Meetings provides an MP3 recording of the call for 90 days (so download it right after the meeting!).

If you want to share your screen or a file, click the Share tab. You will need to install an app called Glance to share your screen (link’s in the tab). Fair warning: you can’t be on a phone or tablet to run Glance.

Creating Action Items – tasks you create during the meeting – was a breeze.
1. Click the Action Item tab on the Meeting in Progress screen.
2. Type out the task you need Person X to do.
3. Select an attendee to assign the Action Item to.
4. Assign a due date from the calendar.
5. Click Save. Done.

When you’re done, just click End Meeting at the top.

Lucid Meetings has set up a Support page, with a FAQ and User Guide. They’re very easy to navigate, and you’ll find clear content on how to get around in the app.

My Impression: Good Alternative to Lync Server, if You Only Want Conferencing

If you’re happy with your current phone setup and only need a conferencing solution, Lucid Meetings may be what you’re after. It doesn’t try to be anything more than an online meeting platform. That focus has served it well.

Pricing starts at $24.95/month for 1 Meeting Room and 1GB of storage. They have four total packages, from Individual up to Enterprise (Pricing page here).

LucidMeetings.com is offering a Blogger Discount Special: 10% off your first year, and a free 30-day trial. Just use this coupon code on signup: NY2012

Don’t forget to mention that you found them at The Lync Insider!

We won’t have a post next week, due to a short trip I’m taking.

In the meantime, what do you use for online meetings? Lync? WebEx? Something else?

I’ve seen a lot of updates on the Lync field lately. New documentation, software patches, and lots of information shared.

So much information in fact, that I wanted to pull some important things out from the tide. These are too good for our readers to miss!

Keeping up on Lync Server? You’ll want to know about these 4 items.

Lync will NOT work with SQL 2012 (right now).

Planning an upgrade to SQL Server 2012 in the coming year? If you use Lync Server, you may want to wait. According to the TechNet Blogs, SQL 2012 does not support Lync Server 2010.

This is due to SQL 2012 dropping support for DMO (Distributed Management Objects), an older set of objects which let programs do some SQL management. Lync Server still uses DMO. The blog’s author, Damien Caro, has provided links to explain more about DMO and SQL.

This has to change soon. Having Lync and SQL incompatible doesn’t make any sense. Either Microsoft will introduce an add-on that allows Lync to work with SQL 2012, or there will be a fix in the next version. Keep it in mind.

Lync Server Cumulative Update 5 (CU5) has been released.

The fifth Cumulative Update for Lync is out. Credit to Justin Morris at Justin-Morris.net for making the announcement (he’s on the ball with these!).

CU5 contains fixes for video in Remote Call Control (RCC). Justin has already done the work of finding the links, so I’ll send you over to his blog for the downloads.

Lync Server 2010 Cumulative Update 5 Download Links at Justin-Morris.net.

Maybe a future Cumulative Update will fix the Lync 2010/SQL 2012 issue. If so, you have yet another reason to always patch when a new Update is released!

Lync Wikis are now available.

If you’ve used Wikipedia, you know that wikis are a great way to collect information about topics. TechNet has created wikis for Lync Server and Office 365′s Lync Online. Where you, me and everyone interested in Lync can share what they know.

Lync Server Wiki Portal

Lync Online Wiki Portal

Starting out, these two use different navigation structures. The Lync Wiki starts with an Overview in the “Wiki Navigation” section of the main page. The Lync Online Wiki has organized by resource type instead.

The best thing about a wiki, however, is that it changes depending on what its community decides. DrRez has some guidelines on how to use the new Wikis, to get you going.

And yes, you’ll find me milling about in there!

Troubleshoot Lync Phone Edition Issues (and Phone Firmware) at Jeff Schertz’s blog.

Jeff Schertz (Lync Server MVP and an excellent blogger) has posted a “massive” troubleshooting article. It gives exhaustive detail on fixing problems with Lync Phone Edition, AND firmware for compatible phones.

The content is very technical (Jeff gives firmware screenshots and log analyses), and calling it massive is not an exaggeration!

Lync administrators, if you support a lot of desktop phones in your environment, this needs to go in your resource library. Grab a coffee and start reading.

Now you’re (a little more) up to date on what’s happening. Plenty more out there, too.

Next week I’m digging into Lync Mobile a little more. Join me on Wednesday for the details!

After reading his post, I thought it was time for a Group Chat revisit!

Lync Group Chat 101: What it Is, What it Does

Group Chat is an additional role for Lync Server 2010. It provides text-based chat rooms where chats are recorded & searchable.

• Group Chat is a separate download from Lync Server
• Comes with its own client (see screenshot)
• You’re sharing knowledge in a format people can look up later
• Use Group Chat for both internal and external discussions, thanks to federation and public sharing
• Simple setup – add the server in Topology Builder, DNS configuration, push out clients
• Create chat channels organized by topic, department, etc.

Necessary Components for Group Chat

1. Group Chat Server Role download
2. DNS A Records
3. SQL Database
4. Client Software
5. License: If you’re licensed for IM/Presence, you’re licensed for Group Chat

Here’s the 2 key points Justin made (be sure to read his post too!):

A. The SQL database is the key here. It holds Group Chat’s configuration and channel data. Group Chat is basically a pair of services (Lookup Service, Channel Service) which both plug into SQL.
Make sure your SQL Server has plenty of space and solid performance. Consider deploying a separate SQL instance (you’ll have to if you run Lync Standard Edition).

B. When you obtain certificates for your Group Chat server, DO NOT USE ANY SANs! Any Subject Alternate Names listed in a Group Chat certificate causes the Channel Service to work improperly. As in, it will make some Chat users invisible to others–even if they’re in the same channel.

Uses for Group Chat

As I mentioned in my post in May, “Administer Group Chat”, Group Chat works best for project discussions and meetings.

You could also think of it like a constantly-updating FAQ. Support teams can use it to share customer solutions between themselves. Co-workers at different offices can use it to communicate.

Group Chat sits comfortably between IM and email. If you need to share information with multiple people, and you need it accessible later, then neither IM nor email are the best choice. Go with Lync’s Group Chat.

Want to try Group Chat? Head to Microsoft Downloads for the three main components (must have Lync Server installed):
Group Chat Server
Group Chat Admin Tool
Group Chat Client