#Lync User QuickTip #26: Lync Instant Message to Any SMS Enabled USA Mobile Phone (for Free, In 1 Minute)

 

Note: You do not need an AOL account but you do need your Lync PIC AOL Federation.
Note: You need Lync 2010 or Lync Windows Store App to use this  (more details below)

Due to the fact that SMS has recently hit its 20th anniversary, many are wondering what IM solution will replace SMS. Well, with this solution, or another solution using this concept, any IM/P solution could render test messaging less relevant. (Actually I’m quite interested in the subject of moving past SMS so if you have more ideas, please comment or twitter me @matthewlandis )

Steps to setup: 1-Configure AOL PIC Federation, 2-Type in SMS number @AOL.com, 3-IM to SMS!

#1-Get PIC federation for AOL/AIM work correctly. Here are some tips on how to enable AIM/AOL PIC.

#2-Now just type in the phone number, prefixed by +1 and suffixed by @aol.com (e164 format) into Lync client. (Example: +18001112222@aol.com)

#3-If everything is working alright (with your PIC AOL federation) the contact should light up as "online" as shown below. (note, AOL doesn’t verify the sms # until you send the message) Now just send your message! That’s it!

Below is what the SMS mobile sees: The sms will come from a 6 digit number. Each sms will include the Lync URI so the person knows who the IM is coming from. And as clearly noted on each sms, the mobile user can reply.

Of course you can save a contact and give the SMS contact a nice name.

More details about your AOL to SMS Instant Message Account

A good way to think about this service is that every USA mobile phone already has a corresponding AOL account. Identity/Authentication is done via the mobile phone number.  Management of this account is done by sending SMS msgs to 26519. To get started send HELP to 26519. The mobile device can easily STOP this service.

Some question I still have about this service and maybe some AOL/AIM guru can help me?

• Is there a way from the mobile/via sms to change your AOL/AIM “presence” to away/offline?
• Is there any statements/sources on if AOL/AIM is planning to continue to support AOL IM?
• This is an excellent way to bridge the Instant Message / SMS divide, are there any other vendors doing this? (just in case AOL goes away)

 

Pros

• You do not need to have any AOL account for this to work
• Amazingly it is not all that clear that the sms is actually coming from AOL!
• You handle txt message communication JUST like an peer to peer IM in Lync
• This includes using the same Lync window, and you IM history is saved
• You can same the contact in Outlook and Pin on Lync just like any other contact

 

Cons

• txt phone number can not be a part of an IM conference
• IM is the only modality supported

 

Notes:

• no cost per text (just what the recieving mobile pays)
• if the IM you send is longer than 1 SMS it will split the message.
• Works for USA mobile numbers
• No need to know which mobile operator

 

Which Lync clients work with this Solution?

Since this solution depends on simple federation it should work with any Lync client---unfortunately there is a snafu related to the URI starting with a +. It seems in some newer Lync clients any URI that starts with a + is hardwired to consider this a telephone number. This limitation means that you cannot federate with any contact/URI that starts with a + . (thanks to @tompacyk for pointing this out)

Lync 2010	Works
Lync Attendant	Works
Lync 2013 Windows Store App (RT)	Works
Lync 2013 Basic	Doesn’t Work
Lync 2013	Doesn’t Work
Lync Mobile for Windows Phone	Doesn’t Work
Lync Mobile for Android	Doesn’t Work
Lync Mobile for iPhone	Untested
Lync Mobile for iPad	Untested
Pidgin 2.10.0 w/SIPE	Works

 

Other Microsoft Lync to SMS Gateways:
http://www.geomant.com/microsoft-solutions/microsoft-1/microsoft-child-page-1/

More stuff on AOL / SMS:
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/116/send-sms-text-messages-from-aim/
http://infrastructurehelp.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/troubleshooting-pic-federation/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897567?wa=wsignin1.0
Test AOL PIC/Federation: sipcheck@aol.com
http://help.aol.com/help/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=185634

http://blogs.technet.com/b/messaging_with_communications/archive/2011/09/27/lync-and-aol-pic-issues.aspx

Polycom VVX500/600 #Lync Qualified IP Phone Supports Direct USB Headset Integration

 

Just saw a twitter post by fellow Lync MVP Adam Jacobs that the Polycom VVX500 Lync Qualified device supports USB headsets! I tried it with a Plantronics Blackwire S720 and I am quite impressed!

Shortly after you plug in the USB headset a small messaage will appear on the VVX screen letting you know a “digital headset connected”. Not only does the headset audio work, the mute, pickup/hangup and  “wearing sensor” works and will answer via this sensor.

Below is a quick demo:

After seeing this I thought maybe I’ve been missing the fact that Lync Phone Edition also does this since various LPE devices DO have an extra USB port: but a quick test on a Polycom CX600 proved that I was not missing anything.

And, while I was at it I tested the newly Lync Qualified snom 760. While the 760 supports Bluetooth headsets via a separately purchased dongle it does not seem to support a USB headset. I have a question in at snom whether this will be supported.

What USB Headsets are supported by VVX500?
http://support.polycom.com/global/documents/support/technical/products/voice/Compatible_USB_headset_EA62760.pdf

snom 710, 720 and 760 Now Qualified Lync Qualified

snom has just released snom UC Edition firmware version 8.8.2.8 which has passed Lync Qualified for the snom 710, 720 and 760. snom now has 6 Lync Qualified IP phones.

snom 760 Hands on First Impression Review:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2012/01/snom-760-first-impression-hands-on.html

snom 710 Hands on First Impression Review:
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/2012/09/first-impression-review-snom-710-ip.html

snom 710 Video First Impression Review:

snom 720 Video First Impression Review

Snom press release:
http://www.snom.com/en/news/archive/article/2012/en/snom-delivers-complete-portfolio-of-ip-phones-tested-and-qualified-for-microsoft-lync/

Can I Still Buy & Install Lync Server 2013 in a Standard Edition Scenario? Yes!

There is considerable confusion and misunderstanding floating around about Microsoft Lync Server 2013 editions because of Microsoft’s recent licensing/pricing changes and the verbiage used to communicate these changes. The short answer to much of the confusion is this:

Yes, you can still deploy your choice of Lync Enterprise or Lync Standard Edition, but they now cost the same and there is only 1 Microsoft part number (or license) to buy.

So buy a Microsoft Lync Server 2013 license and use it for 1 FE server in either a Standard Edition Server scenario or an Enterprise Edition Pool scenario---you can choose.

Lync Server 2013 Licensing Change FAQ:

Q. Do I need to get special media for Standard vs. Enterprise scenarios?
A. No, just like before, you decide this when defining the Lync topology. So for non-technical people this means that provision for both scenarios is on one CD image.

Q. Does a Lync Server 2013 license for 1 Front End server in a Standard Edition scenario cost exactly the same as 1 Front End for an Enterprise Edition scenario?
A. Yes, that is the main change Microsoft is making. You buy ONE Lync Server license and use it how you see fits you best.

Q. Does this mean licensing a Lync Server for a Standard Edition scenario has increased dramatically?
A. Yes, before this licensing change a Std. Edition server was approximately $699USD. Now it is approximately $3646USD. Microsoft notes that several things are now included in this licensing to increase it value: #1-added redundancy and resiliency features #2-external connector rights are now included with this license

Q. If a Standard Edition server costs the same as an Enterprise Edition Server, why wouldn’t we install an Enterprise Edition server?
A. A Standard Edition scenario can be implemented with a minimum of OS, Servers and SQL licenses for small implementations.

So yes, Lync Standard Edition is still here and you can install it, it just costs the same as Enterprise Edition.

Read Mary Jo Foley’s new article on this as well:
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-provides-more-details-on-office-2013-pricing-and-licensing-changes-7000008235/

Plantronics Calisto 620 M Review: Portable Bluetooth Speaker Phone Device For PC and Mobile

Another interesting device has been added to the Microsoft Lync Qualified Devices list: The Plantronics Calisto 620M bluetooth speakerphone. This device will work in an office environment where you want the speakerphone to be where a cable won’t reach nicely or especially as a part of your portable equipment suite.

Here is the video review:

This device comes in a Microsoft edition and an edition for everyone else: Plantronics Calisto 620M and Plantronics Calisto 620.

Below is what comes with the Calisto 620: Manuals, Cover, Wall outlet charging cord and the Calisto 620 and bluetooth dongle.

Below is the Calisto 620 with all the buttons lit during startup.

For portable scenarios, the Bluetooth dongle stows nicely on the bottom of the unit. As in common in many newer devices, the battery seems to be not readily removed/replaced.

During normal powered on state, the 620 will have no LED’s lit. Just press any button to see if the unit is powered on.

The 620 with the Bluetooth dongle plugged into laptop.

The 620 will have the Charging LED’s light when plugged in. There is no battery charge level indication on the device. (as a matter of fact the Plantronics Spokes tray software didn’t show the level either from my tests)

I was surprised that the tray software  (Plantronics Spokes software) did not show battery level (but perhaps I’m missing something?) Where I expect the battery level is just said---BATTERY LEVEL!

The icon changes when the device is charging…

The device is VERY easy to setup, just slide the power switch to the middle position, plug the USB dongle into your PC and all drivers for Lync will load automatically. (No Plantronics Spokes needed to interact with Lync. Plantronics Spokes merely adds more settings change ability, the above tray app and firmware update ability)

The Plantronics Spokes software is not needed for basic Lync usage but does add the above tray app, ability to change more settings and do firmware updates if available. The spokes software is something you will need to manually download and install. (Since the download was less that 1MB I was expecting a quick install…but it was not as quick as I expected.)

How big is the device?

How does it compare to the Jabra Speak 410 USB speaker phone in size?

Since the Calisto 620 is Bluetooth it can connect to your PC and Mobile phone at the same time---very nice!

My wrap up thoughts on the Plantronics Calisto 620

• A very nice, portable, Bluetooth speaker device to come to the Lync eco-system (and beyond)
• Ability to be connected to PC and mobile device at the same time is a benefit over a USB device.
• In my informal tests the audio quality seemed better on a USB connected device vs. this Bluetooth device—(could be explained by wireless nature of Bluetooth?)
• My thought is a battery level indicator at a glance might be good addition
• The tone & volume of the volume change indicator is a bit loud and long for my tastes, but that is a small and personal opinion
• The device can be charged via wall power or USB: wall charges unit in 1.5hr and USB takes 2.5 hr
• I thought perhaps you could use the device as a USB device when plugged into PC via USB, but that is not the case (and not important, just a curiosity issue)
• This device will cost around $149

 

Read more about the Calistro 620 on Plantronics site:
http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/calisto-600?skuId=sku6250018&gclid=CKHAhpzB9LMCFYZM4Aod4F4AWQ