OCS Wave 14? No, Lync Server 2010
by Korneel Bullens on Sep.13, 2010, under Lync
OCS is dead.. Long Live Lync!
Sounds Nice doesn’t it?
When Lync will be released later this year, it will be sailing under it’s new name. I really like this new name, it’s easy to use, we can “verb” it, and it’s just way beter the Office Communiations Server 2010 when you need to write documents; we all need to save some ink don’t we?
so you read it right, no OCS Wave 14, no CS 2010, no OCS 2010, but just plain Lync.
The Server will be named Lync Server 2010, the CLient Lync 2010.
expect some new posts later this week regarding the Polycom CX600! I’ve reviewed one of the phones. I’ve also done a review of the Jabra DECT headset so I will blog about that one too!
read some more about this at one of my fellow bloggers
the real public announcement of the new name will come later this week I guess, but after publishing the RC bits, we’re all open to talk about it 
Lync Server RC Debuts
by Korneel Bullens on Sep.13, 2010, under Lync, Lync Server 2010
HI Guys,
Long time no Blogging
due to the stack of NDA’s that I had to sign, I wasn’t allowed to talk about anything really.. expect that to change
greatest announcement is the arrival of Lync Server 2010 for Public Download!
Lync is the new name for OCS expect a post about that soon.
for now, go ahead and download the product:
download the Server RC here
and the planning tool here
First Look at Microsoft Communications Server “Wave 14”
by Korneel Bullens on Apr.07, 2010, under Uncategorized
Hi Guys,
The first week of me playing around with CS 2010 has been a very interesting one.
Obviously, I can’t go into further details of the product other then what Gurdeep has revealed with the NDA and such, but this is a huge leap forwards for (O)CS. I have said it before and will do again; this is a very very serious competitor for the existing voice market. I will be migrating the company I work for (Wortell) this weekend from OCS 2007 R2 to CS 2010 in total, so I will be able to log all the stuff I managed to break 
Redmond, here I come!
by Korneel Bullens on Apr.07, 2010, under Private
Hi Guys,
I recently got asked to help Microsoft develop the Communications Server “Wave 14″ training & Certification path as a Subject Matter Expert. I really feel this is a huge honor and recognition of my work, so I’m pretty psyched about it. I won’t be allowed to blog about the actual work that has been done, but I will keep you updated on my experiences.
For those guys located in Redmond, I’ll be traveling to Redmond 3 times the next month, during the final week of April (Airlift CS Wave 14), the 3th week of May (training session 1), and the 3th week of June (Training Session 2).
If you are there as well, drop me a mail so we can meet.
I have joined the VTSP ranks…
by Korneel Bullens on Apr.07, 2010, under Private
Hi Guys,
Now everything has been arranged, I’m more than happy to announce me joining the guys at Microsoft NL as a Virtual Technology Solutions Professional.
As a VTSP I will be assisting Microsoft NL with my knowledge at experience of OCS. I got my ID badge & Laptop yesterday, so everything is official J
Name Change for OCS
by Korneel Bullens on Mar.26, 2010, under Office Communications Server
Hi Guys,
I totally forgot to blog this!
with the introduction of Communications Server 2010 (or for now, codename Communications Server ’14′) we will lose the Office part.
that’s right, the new name for Office Communications Server will be Communications Server.
it seems like a logical step to proposition CS as a real stand-alone product just as Exchange server is.
Polycom Wave 14 Products
by Korneel Bullens on Mar.25, 2010, under Office Communications Server, UC Hardware
Hi Guys,
the 3 products that really caught my attention where the 3 new Polycom phones. The CX500, CX600 and CX3000 are the newest standalone IP Phones, each with it’s own function.
What I didn’t see as of yet, was pictures of these phones. So here you go, the scoop on these phones
Thanks to Polycom Press Releases, I’m proud to present the newest Wave 14 OCS Phones!
first off, the Polycom CX500
This phone is targeted as the Common Area phone.
Key Features:
- Ideal for common areas such as lobbies, hallways, break rooms
- Large 3.5” (9cm) TFT color display for call and directory information
- Crystal clear audio with Polycom HD Voice™ technology in the handset
- Wall mountable for easy deployment
- Simple installation through single integrated PoE port
Second to the show is the CX600
targeted as a “normal” standalone desk phone.
key features:
- Designed as the mid-range desktop phone for mass deployment in offices
- Large 3.5” (9cm) TFT color display for vital call, directory and presence information
- Stunning realism and clarity on all audio paths with Polycom HD Voice Technology
- PC pass-though connection with integrated dual integrated GigE PoE switches
- Optional “better together” capabilities through native USB port
and the last one, and I really think it’s a very cool one, the CX3000
key features:
- Outstanding voice quality and deep presence for more productive and efficient conference calls
- Large 3.5” (9cm) TFT color display for vital call, directory and presence information
- Hear all participants clearly with a12-foot microphone pickup range
- Turn ordinary conference calls into crystal-clear interactive conversations with Polycom HD Voice technology
my final comment:
Great job polycom! I’ll be meeting some of the Polycom guys at the 7th of april, and I’m hoping for some demo units
VoiceCon and OCS Wave 14
by Korneel Bullens on Mar.24, 2010, under Uncategorized
HI Guys,
Time for a new update!
Gurdeep just finished talking at Voicecon where he announced Wave 14.. this also means I can freely talk about this now!
There are way to much things to post here, so I’m going to limit myself to the important stuff.
First: an OCS implementation costs half of a traditional PBX installation. And he even has proof J cool stuff, something a lot of people have known, but has some facts attached to it now.
Second: major adoption of OCS by more and more companies who are building add-ons for OCS. This is a very good sign! Adoption for OCS is skyrocketing.
OCS 2010 will rock the foundation of the voice world. I’ve said it before, and now I have good reasons
The new interface is brilliant; it features skill search but also phonetic search based on sharepoint search. Pictures of everyone in your client, easier development for third parties, location awareness, it just doesn’t stop.
There are more pictures for you to glance at at the official press site
But wait, there’s more!
Audiocodes and Dialogic, among others, have announced their new gateways, or better, an update for their current line of gateways, so they will use all of the new features of OCS 2010!
Polycom has announced 3 new phones!
This really makes me happy..
The CX500 will serve as a cheap, common area phone, standalone!
The CX600 will serve as a normal IP desk phone, but cheaper as the CX700, once again, standalone
And the budget Roundtable, CX5000, only audio, the CX3000.
3 new standalone devices from Polycom so to say J
Go ahead and check out the presentation at tv.voicecon.com . it is worth the registration!
UC R2 Voice Exam
by Korneel Bullens on Feb.19, 2010, under OCS 2007 R2
Hi Guys,
Finally came around to doing the R2 Voice Exam, (71-404), and boy is it improved!
I have to admit, it took me 3 tries to actually get passed the R1 version of this exam.. I’m not surprised Microsoft set up the new exam so quickly based on the quality of the R1 version. This time, when taking it, you’ll actually have a chance instead of leaving it to chance
The exam is based on the implementation of voice within a new or existing OCS environment. This means you’ll get quizzed about different setup scenarios, as well as the use of hardware load balancers and such. I’ll have to wait another 8 weeks for the test results, but I’m not too worried. The exam is pretty well balanced and fair, and focuses on the important parts.
There are another 2 weeks left on this beta exam, go ahead and try the exam J
OCS 2010 (Wave 14) Airlift @ Redmond, 26-30 april 2010
by Korneel Bullens on Feb.14, 2010, under Uncategorized
Time for an update J
Small one this time, end of April, the Airlift for all of the Voice partners for Wave 14!
Looking forward to it, hope to see you there!
I honestly believe this wave will be a literal tidle wave in the Voice Segment of IT. OCS 2010 will rock the foundation of the Voice world, providing an affordable alternative to the big PBX players in the world…
Hope to see you there!
