Microsoft Launches Lync 2010 Certs

Ed Tittel — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:23:37 +0000

For those who don’t already know, Microsoft Lync 2010 is the company’s unified communications server technology. Here’s how MS describes its workings on the Lync home page: “Microsoft Lync 2010 provides a single interface that unites voice communications, IM, and audio, video, and Web conferencing into a richer, more contextual offering.” Communications get integrated with Lync, so that any type of communication can quickly lead to another (IM to email, voice to videoconference, and so on), and so that messages of all kinds can be combined and organized into comprehensive collections of communication records.

Banner from MS Lync 2010 Home Page

Microsoft Lync supports use of photos to identify and communicate with people, offers skill search when looking for specific kinds of people, and will even let users factor location information into lookups as well. Riding the wave of social networking, MS also touts such benefits in the workplace as follows: “…helps workers make connections across time and distance with picture-enhanced presence, automatic frequent contacts lists, and activity feeds for keeping up with co-workers.” There’s strong Lync integration inside Microsoft Office, with color-coded presence icons, pictures, high resolution video, and even desktop sharing available. Finally, Lync provides uniform access to data and communications on a PC, via smartphone, or through a Web browser to keep users connected in the office, on the go, or at home.

On Tuesday, April 13, Krista Wall of MS Learning hit the MS Learning “Born to Learn” blog with a posting entitled “Now available: Lync Server certifications.” Microsoft is taking this new platform seriously enough to offer two exams on its capabilities, configuration, administration, deployment and use: pass one (70-664) and you’ll earn an MCTS; pass both (add 70-665 to 70-664, that is) and you’ll earn an MCITP. Check out her post for more details, including information about the instructor led courses to help candidates prep for these exams, as well as pointers to a free Lync Server 2010 trial download, a tech center, video materials, TechNet content, and exam preparation tips and information.

Here are the titles for those two exams with links to their exam pages:

MS Exam 70-664: TS: Lync Server 2010, Configuring
MS Exam 70-665: Pro: Lync Server 2010, Administrator

This is some very cool technology that is right out there on the leading edge. Up-and-coming IT professionals who work in MS shops could do a lot worse than to jump on this new bandwagon and ride it into the future!

IT Career JumpStart » MS releases Lync Server 2010 certs

Microsoft Launches Lync 2010 Certs