Real-Time Connection with Microsoft Lync

You can click the Edit tool to the left of the Browse tab to display the editing tools for the SharePoint site. The Ribbon changes to display the Editing Tools tab, which enables you to format the text on your page and insert new page elements such as pictures, videos, tables, and more. (See Figure 1-5.)

FIGURE 1-5 To edit and format your SharePoint pages, you’ll find what you need on the Editing Tools Format tab.

You can click Site Actions on the left side of the Ribbon to display a list of ways you can modify and interact with your SharePoint site. You’ll learn all about customizing, formatting, and sharing your site in Chapter 5, “Creating Your Team Site with SharePoint Online.”

So we’ve talked about using Outlook to handle your email and scheduling needs and using the SharePoint team site to keep everybody on the same page—what about those times you need to communicate in real time, using instant messaging or online meetings? Enter Microsoft Lync 2010. Microsoft Lync is an exciting addition to this suite of online services, enabling you to keep in touch with all your contacts and make calls, set up meetings, and send ideas and messages on the fly.

Note When you first log in to Office 365, you might need to download Microsoft Lync by clicking the Install Microsoft Lync link on the control panel page. The process is pretty painless. You’ll find the steps in Chapter 2, “Getting Started with Microsoft Lync.”

The Microsoft Lync window resembles Windows Live Messenger, but you’ll find that it includes a different set of tools. (See Figure 1-6.) Adding new contacts is something done by the administrator so that everyone on the team is using the same address book. (As an administrator, however, you can change that setting so that individuals can add the contacts they’d like to include.) You can call a contact by clicking the Call button to the right of the contact name and choosing the command you want from the displayed list.

FIGURE 1-6 Microsoft Lync includes the tools you need to make instant calls and set up online meetings.

With Microsoft Lync, you can make instant contact with others, make Internet calls, share audio and video, and host online meetings. You’ll find out how to use the various features in Microsoft Lync in Chapter 11, “Talking It Over with Microsoft Lync.”