Deploying a solid BYOD strategy is turning into an ever increasing pressing challenge for businesses.
Employees currently expect to be ready to use their own device for work, no matter whether or not it has been sanctioned by their IT department or not. In fact, a third of Smartphone owners utilise their device at work right behind their IT department’s back.
Part of the explanation behind staff preferring to use their own devices at work is that they feel more productive sourcing their own apps. As an example, the favoured VoIP app, Skype, is the 5thmost downloaded free app globally on Google Play. however may investing in enterprise-wide universal communications (UC) apps enable staff even larger productivity gains whereas keeping information safer and more secure?
Enter Microsoft Lync
Microsoft retired their office Communications Server (OCS) software system with the launch of Lync in December 2010. This software system amalgamates individual tools like video conferencing and instant messaging into one server-side platform, creating a simple to install and manage BYOD solution as well as being cheaper in many circumstances.
Benefits of Microsoft Lync
Lync provides some key advantages over OCS, specifically:
– Seamless integration of software -Switching between the use of instant messaging or document sharing and VoIP has never been this smooth
and seamless.
– Better bandwidth management -With OCS an infinite quantity of users can be active on your network at an equivalent time, using up bandwidth and deteriorating quality. Lync permits network managers to allot bandwidth, limit users and even split audio and video streams across each WAN and internet at the same time, limiting the impact on bandwidth.
– Cheaper than different solutions -Although the complete Lync package prices are $245 per user, this can still be still cheaper than its major rivals.
– Enables workplace communication on the move -In terms of BYOD, Lync provides the perfect answer for businesses who would love a lot of management over their app portfolio whereas still permitting staff to work flexibly on their own devices.
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Drawbacks of Microsoft Lync
Despite the key advantages of Lync, it still suffers from some drawbacks:
Higher bandwidth use overall -You might have higher management of bandwidth allocation, however thanks to the upper technical needs of Lync it will eat up a lot of bandwidth overall.
Encouraging adoption -By now several of your staff are going to be accustomed to operating with applications like Skype to fulfil their communication desires. Encouraging them to ditch what they have already installed on their device in favour of MS Lync can be tough, though with enough preparation and consultation it ought to be simple enough.
Guaranteeing productivity gains -Lync is supposed to increase productivity by providing staff with a universal communications platform, even once they are on the move. However this level of communication can be distracting instead of helpful, particularly once staff feel they have to see all communications on the move.
Microsoft Lync is, of course, just one answer to universal communication needs, and one part of a gigantic BYOD puzzle. If you are curious about enabling BYOD for your business, several companies firms exist within the market to assist you on your way.