Category Archives: Uncategorized

Exchage Online SBC Connectivity Discontinued

Posted on by
Reply

Microsoft have recently made the announcement that support will be withdrawn, as of July 2018, for third-party PBX systems (Cisco, Avaya, Siemens etc.) to leverage Exchange Online Unified Messaging (UM) via a Session Border Controller (SBC).

Today, as shown below, many organisations provide voicemail functionality via Exchange Online UM to the end users mailbox or telephone device whilst continuing to use their third-party PBX for call control functionality.

Removal of Microsoft SBCs

Based upon the announced change, customers have under a calendar year to complete the migration to one of the following supported topologies:

  • Migration from a third-party PBX to Office 365 Cloud PBX
  • Migration from a third-party PBX to Skype for Business Server (On Premise or Hosted)
  • Implementation of Cloud Connector Edition
  • Implementation of a software based connector, connecting the PBX to Skype for Business Server (On Premise or Hosted)
  • The final option is to implement a third-party voicemail system, removing the dependency upon Exchange Online

The following topology will continue to be supported:

  • Skype for Business Server leveraging Exchange Online UM
  • Third-party PBX systems connecting to Exchange Online UM via an API and NOT an SBC
  • All forms of Exchange Server UM (on-premise)

Unsure of what to do next? Feel free to get in touch and we would be happy to talk through the available options in more detail with you!

Advertisement

Skype for Business TechNet Library

Posted on by
Reply

….is now live!

For those that like a bit of midnight reading, you will be pleased to know that the TechNet library for Skype4Business is now live (Published 9th April).

Included so far are the Planning, Deploying and Managing libraries. On the home page is also a summary of resources which is also a useful page to keep bookmarked (as well as my page here of course!)

The Library can be found here. Have fun! 🙂

#Skype4B Content Released

Posted on by
Reply

Whilst we count down the days to the Office 365 Summits, it would be a good idea to keep an eye on the Office 365 Summit Readiness Tab.

Microsoft have released the Skype4Business Reference Architecture and Design PowerPoint content – It had 0 downloads when I found it 😉

Not long now!

Lync 2010 Client now supported in LyncOnline

Posted on by
Reply

Microsoft has recently updated it’s client support for Lync Online, which now includes the Lync 2010 Windows Client. This is a significant piece of Information, particularly for migration scenarios and the client rollout process. A lot of demand has been made within the community for this, so I’m sure it will be very much welcomed!

Client Requirements

Microsoft Lync 2010 desktop client must be version 4.0.7577.4419 (or later) released in January 2014, as described here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2912208.

Who, What, Where, When and Why?

Posted on by
Reply

So I’ve been meaning to start blogging for a long while now, I think the main reason as to why it is taking place now and not then is solely down to nature playing it’s course and me wanting to get myself to a position where I am able to provide the community with the same quality of support, that I found was available to me when I was starting my journey.

I’ve been working within IT collectively for 8 years now, although I have always had a passion for technology. The primary focus of this blog is to provide an insight into the full life cycle of UC and in particularly Microsoft Lync and it’s dependencies.

I am currently an MCSE: Communication working in a Pre Sales Technical Specialist role, but my enthusiasm and drive often propellant me to all areas of the product, from deployment right through to training end users.

Hopefully the the blog serves it’s purpose, if I can help one person out of one of those “hair pulling” situations, my job is done 🙂