InterCall Provides Audio Conferencing Platform with Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Multitenant Pack for Partner Hosting

In its recent press release InterCall announced the availability of its Reservationless-Plus audio conferencing platform with Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Multitenant Pack for Partner Hosting (Lync Host Pack). The Lync Host Pack is an extension of Microsoft Lync Server 2010 software that is designed to enable Microsoft hosting partners to deploy a single instance of Lync Server software to securely and economically host their own fully integrated, multitenant UC service targeted at the SMB space. The Microsoft UC hosting solution integrates communications platforms including email, voice mail, telephony, instant messaging, and voice and video conferencing into an integrated hosted offering. The solution is installed in the hosting partner’s data center, adding a UC layer to the partner’s overall service infrastructure. This multitenant UC layer adds integration that interconnects the communications systems with the hosting partner’s core services to be configured or customized as needed. The Lync Host Pack is a foundation allowing hosters to configure UC services, add value and differentiate their offerings.

The Lync Host Pack reference architecture is broken out into three layers:

1. Core layer: Includes the networking layer components. These core layer components include firewalls, routing, session border controller (SBC), switching, servers, load balancing, storage area network (SAN), storage systems, data/voice transport and PSTN connectivity.

2. Lync Server 2010 Multitenant Hosting Pack and Exchange layer: Stores the UC integration components. The UC integration components enable information exchange between communication technologies. The layer applications include:

• Lync Server Multitenant Hosting Pack
• Exchange Server

3. Add-on layer: This baseline UC architecture integrates with Microsoft and partner communication solutions using third party plug-ins enabling hosting partners to continually increase and improve their customer offerings (e.g., audio/video conferencing, SMS to text, FMC, endpoints, mobile clients)

The Lync Host Pack has a good partner ecosystem that provides add-on layer solutions that will integrate seamlessly through the Lync Server Multitenant Hosting Pack. For example any audio conferencing provider would be supported. There is no certification for hosters; Microsoft provides technical guidance and documentation, and a provider should engage Microsoft’s field/account teams to assist with the deployment.

By using this ecosystem, UC hosting providers can enrich the feature set and value provided to their customers. InterCall’s audio conferencing platform, for example, offers access to 110 countries thereby letting users host conference calls from just about anywhere in the world on any type of device, unleashing the full power of Lync as a collaboration tool. Users of Reservationless Plus can convene sales calls, link teams globally and schedule last-minute meetings. Reservationless-Plus does not require reservations or operators. Users have the ability to control their conference commands with a touch of a button from their telephone keypad. There are customizable features and users can select from a variety of languages specific to their region for system prompts.

 InterCall audio conferencing with Lync Server 2010 offers additional capabilities, including:

• Global PSTN (public switched telephone network) dial-in and dial-out access
• Ability to join meetings via landline or mobile phones
• Dial-in details automatically populated in Microsoft Outlook
• Mute/unmute, lock/unlock, and end-conference capabilities
• 24x7 in-call support by dialing *0

InterCall is a Microsoft Syndication partner for Office 365. They are the only US partner delivering the full Office 365 suite combined with audio conferencing integration. InterCall’s audio conferencing is backed by a team of over 1100 operators around the globe, with localized support available in 25 languages. They offer toll-free numbers in 83 countries and local dial-in numbers for 34 major cities around the world. InterCall’s audio conferencing has a predictable uptime of 99.9%.

What This Means to You

For Customers: The Microsoft UC hosting solution was developed to enable Microsoft hosting partners to add a cost-effective UC service offering customized to the evolving needs of their current customers. Today’s technology consumer was raised on technology and is looking for a more sophisticated integrated communications solution. Tomorrow, these consumers will want real-time collaborative video interaction, on the road or from their desk, with desktop, application, and whiteboard sharing. By using Microsoft ecosystem, UC hosting providers can enrich the feature set and value provided to their customers. Some hosting opportunities are tabulated below:

• Unified hosted communications services – The offering will likely provide hosted email, voice mail, telephony, instant messaging, and voice and video conferencing. The customer will need to consolidate these services with their new UC hosting provider.
• Enhanced conferencing – Those that require more than the native Lync Server Multitenant Hosting Pack capabilities will request enhanced conferencing capabilities such as integration with existing legacy video conferencing rooms.
• End points – The customer will want the UC hosting provider to provide or list compatible endpoints such as phones, conference phones, mobile phones, video/audio conferencing systems, and so on.
• One-stop communication shop – By owning all customer communication channels, the UC hosting provider is positioned to become a one-stop shop for all future customer communication needs.

Hosting providers are cautioned to look carefully at the UCaaS alternatives available to them in today’s market and choose the solution that’s right for them and their market. Consideration should be given to:

• Vendor is continually evolving its UCaaS platform with new applications and service options
• The solution’s architecture should be virtualized and designed to integrate into the hosting provider’s environment including its network infrastructure, operational support and transport systems without compromising security, flexibility or application functionality
• The UCaaS solution should support SLAs (e.g., availability, performance and security)

On the other hand, end customers who are interested in communications enabled business processes (CEBP) may want to look at on-premises solutions as it is rare for UCaaS solutions to offer CEBP. In addition, Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Multitenant Pack for Partner Hosting does not support PBX replace features in its current release. Its call features are displayed below.

For Partners: InterCall has over 100,000 customers worldwide, from SMBs to enterprises, including 86% of Fortune 100. The Reservationless-Plus audio conferencing + Lync Host Pack platform offers the channel both a new product and new vertical in which to sell it – Microsoft hosting partners. InterCall also offers hosters a revenue opportunity based on selling conferencing bundles including toll-free numbers and external domestic and international minutes for people who are not on a computer able to use the IP connection for audio conferencing.