Lync Conference 2014 Recap

Just got back from another amazing Lync Conference, this time at Aria in Las Vegas. It was great to see all my Lync buddies from around the world and to have the opportunity to participate in some very informative sessions given by Microsoft employees and many of my fellow Lync MVP friends.

There were several announcements, most of which I'm sure everyone has already heard about.

• The next version of Lync is currently known as Lync vNext. Not sure if this is a codeword, or the final name
• LyncvNext will include a new server role which will allow other video-conferencing systems (like Tandberg/Cisco) to join Lync-hosted video conferences. This server role can be either co-located on front-end or separate. 
• Feature-parity on all mobile platforms, including Android tablets, which have not seen a Lync release as of yet.
• Video calling between Lync and Skype. We all knew it was coming, but nice to see it finally show up. I think they're targetting go-live in June. 
• A set of Javascript libraries called jLync, which will allow for all kinds of web development possibilities
• The introduction of hosted-PSTN connectivity on Office365. No details on where it will be offered, but the US is a good bet.

Myself, I hosted two very popular sessions on Lync 2013 Enterprise Voice Best Practices to packed rooms. I had a lot of fun doing it, and look forward to doing more. The famous Jamie Stark even mentioned it on several occasions:

@darylhunter @unplugthepbx @kenlasko Ken's #lyncconf14 session will be PACKED - arrive early! Its also being repeated Thurs 9am
— Jamie Stark (@nomorephones) February 18, 2014

I am impressed #lyncconf14 - @kenlasko repeat all full pic.twitter.com/IIUwxAOS38
— Jamie Stark (@nomorephones) February 20, 2014

Feedback was very positive, including one fellow who threw a pair of underwear at me at the end of my second session as a joke.

Someone just launched underwear at @kenlasko ?!!? Hope they were clean #LyncConf14
— Mark King (@unplugthepbx) February 20, 2014

@greiginsydney Man I knew that @kenlasko guy had fanboys but this is ridiculous! @msftLync #Lyncconf14
— John A Cook (@JohnACook) February 20, 2014

@unplugthepbx @kenlasko ROFL - another #lyncconf14 first!
— Jamie Stark (@nomorephones) February 20, 2014

I had a great time at this year's Lync conference. The venue was beautiful, the sessions were informative, and the after-hours parties were fun. I'm already looking forward to LyncConf15, hosted in Hawaii (I hope!).