ARCHIVED: About the migration from Lync to Skype for Business

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

In 2015, Microsoft rebranded its Lync client as Skype for Business. On January 22, 2017, Indiana University's UniCom service fully implemented Microsoft's product change. The following describes what you can expect when you log into UniCom after that date, based on the client you are using before the change:

  • Lync 2010 for Windows: You will be unable to log into the UniCom service with this version of Lync. You'll see the following message:
    You cannot sign in to Microsoft Lync 2010 using the version installed. Do you want to download the currently supported version?
  • Clicking Yes will redirect you to this document. If you click No, the message window will close without signing you into the UniCom service.

    To continue using UniCom, you need to either upgrade your software, or use one of the workarounds listed below.

    Note:
    If your phone connects to the computer with a USB cable, you will not be able to use it unless you are running an updated version of Lync/Skype for Business. IP phones, which connect directly to the data jack and do not require you to be logged into your computer, will still work regardless of your software. For more about both types of phones, see About office telephone equipment at IU.
  • Lync 2011 for Mac: No change; Lync for Mac will continue to work with the UniCom service. However, Mac users can choose to download the new Skype for Business client separately; see About Skype for Business at IU (Retired).
  • Lync 2013 for Windows: You'll see the following message:

    Restart Lync

    Your organization is updating to a new version of Lync called Skype for Business. Restart now to enjoy all the improvements including a new Skype look and feel.

    Select either Restart now to restart your client immediately, or Restart later to wait until the next time you launch the client to see the Skype for Business interface. You can continue to use UniCom with no additional steps.

  • Skype for Business: No change

Upgrading your software

Lync 2010 users can upgrade to Skype for Business, available via:

  • Office 365: You can download and install Skype for Business 2016 as part of Office 365 ProPlus.
  • Office 2013: You can download and install Office 2013 from IUware. Office 2013 includes Lync 2013, which should update to Skype for Business automatically when you launch it after the migration.

Workarounds

If you are unable to upgrade your software immediately, or need to continue to run Office 2010, you can use one or more of the following workarounds to continue to access some Lync functionality:

This is document amsx in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-22 16:30:14.