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Microsoft Lync: The future of unified communications


Johannesburg, 26 Nov 2014

When two worlds collide, the results can either be disastrous or something quite spectacular. For IT futurist and visionary Barry Neethling, a founding member of First Technology Group (the holding company of Galdon Data), the unified communications and professional audio visual technologies worlds finally coming together can only be seen as magic.

While he is not directly responsible for this wonder, after 30 years working in the IT industry, coupled with his passion for unified communications and AV, seeing the two worlds merging has prompted Neethling to stand up and draw the attention of end-users to the unique offering of Microsoft Lync or rather Skype for Business as it will be named going forward.

In response to an article published in the April edition of inAVate, a leading publication in the field of pro AV technology and integration, Neethling has addressed why he believes Microsoft Lync is so much more than a typical garden-variety unified communications (UC) system:

"One of the main things that makes Microsoft Lync (Skype for Business) stand apart from all other UC systems is it is included in the Microsoft Volume Licensing or O365 stack. Microsoft Lync is, for many companies, a cost-effective UC solution as they will be benefiting from their existing licence agreements. With no costly hardware (other than the back-end server infrastructure, which is often already in place for most businesses) and freedom of choice when deciding which end-point device to use, Microsoft Lync is, simply, the only unified communications solution to consider.

"With thousands of end-point device options available, including the full range of professional AV pickup and playback gadgets out there, Microsoft Lync (Skype for Business) is paving the way for telephony infrastructure to form part of the computing device. This will consolidate communication systems, moving companies away from separate tools for separate jobs and streamline business practices along the way.

"From the perspective of First Technology and Galdon Data, we understand why Microsoft Lync is unique and ensure it is deployed correctly, allowing users to get the most out of the technology. Our focus has never strayed from outstanding quality, from service to products and that extends to the sound quality of calls. Should a customer choose Microsoft Lync, we encourage the use of professional audio visual gear over traditional equipment, to ensure nothing but an exceptional, richer experience.

"What in the world are we doing not using professional endpoint devices to conduct business when Microsoft Lync affords the freedom to choose any equipment and dictate our own level of sound quality? A fantastic UC system is best only when it has stunning audio quality. By implementing Microsoft Lync as the 'data transport' platform, businesses are able to rethink the standard of their communication equipment and improve the manner in which they communicate. As the old adage goes, 'communication is key'."

Neethling draws attention to Tim Kridel, as published in a short article in Techday, who highlights Microsoft Lync's unique position in the UC realm, driving home his, First Technology's and Galdon Data's viewpoints on the product: Lync is where it's at!

For more information regarding the above technologies, please visit the Web site: www.galdon.co.za, or contact the Galdon Data Johannesburg or Cape Town offices:

Johannesburg: Timothy van der Berg on (011) 805 4420 or e-mail timv@gladon.co.za
Cape Town: Fairoz Jaffer on (021) 525 7171 or e-mail fairozj@galdon.co.za

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Editorial contacts

Laura-Maria Murray
Galdondata
(+27) 11 805 4420
lauram@galdon.co.za