Microsoft Lync Server 2010 for Schools

Microsoft Lync is a new connected user experience transforming every communication into an interaction that is more collaborative, engaging, and accessible from anywhere. For IT, the benefits are equally powerful, with a highly secure and reliable system that works with existing tools and systems for easier management, lower cost of ownership, smoother deployment and migration, and greater choice and flexibility. We have previously posted on this topic providing real scenarios in an educational context with how Lync can be a powerful collaboration tool through Microsoft's Office365 suite combined with SharePoint Online to meet the needs of students and staff. https://blogs.technet.com/b/nzedu/archive/2011/05/21/collaboration-in-the-cloud-with-sharepoint.aspx

We'd like to share with you, the journey Botany Downs Secondary College took to provide this collaborative environment through their choice to implement Microsoft Lync on premise.

Botany Downs Secondary College took the opportunity to move forward to Microsoft Lync:  

"The new system gives us extra functionality and flexibility, while simultaneously reducing costs. The staff and students have all responded very positively to it." - Denise Bellette, Business Manager, Botany Downs Secondary College.

The ageing PBX system was struggling to cope with the requirements of the busy school, so in addition to more phone lines, the school searched for a communications platform to provide collaborative learning, web conferencing functionality, live audio visual staff and student communication. Microsoft Lync provided a cost-effective, future-proofed solution to support on-going growth and technology development, consistent with the vision of the College as a Lighthouse school in the area of ICT.

The new Microsoft Schools agreement has the ability to deploy Lync on premise and replace the ageing PBX systems.

For more information visit: https://lync.microsoft.com/en-nz/Pages/default.aspx