Lync Custom Status

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Lync Custom Status (LCS) is a ‘power user’ add-on to Microsoft Lync, built on the back of the need of expanding Lync’s already powerful toolset. LCS uses built in Microsoft API’s to make judgement calls on Lync event as and when they happen.

Unlike other applications, which simply provide an easy to use interface to modify your client status, LCS uses powerful logic to redirect calls or to allow calls and IM’s from your chosen contacts. Using LCS you can take complete control over your DND settings, allowing calls from project managers or families through – whilst preventing general call traffic.

LCS also gives you the ability to send ‘canned responses’ to IM’s you receive whilst in your custom states.

Screenshots
Lync Custom Status

Features

LCS adds a collection of features to the default Lync feature set:

  • Custom Status – This application eases the pain of creating 4 custom status options for the Microsoft Lync Client. Rather then just telling your contacts you are away or busy, you can now give them more insight into what you are on with.
  • Linked Personal Notes – Now when you switch to a status, a predefined personal note will also apply
  • Linked Locations – Now when you switch to a status, a predefined location will also apply
  • Automated(Canned) Responses – Upon selecting a custom status, the application is capable of intercepting conversation requests and replying (automatically) with your predefined response.
    • Exception Lists – Sometimes you don’t want your automated responses going to every contact in your list, the application works with a list of predefined addresses which it won’t respond to.
    • Frequency of response – Much like Microsoft Outlook, you can prevent (if you want) the recipient receiving multiple copies of your ‘canned’ response in a 24 hour period. Alternatively, you can set the app to reply every time.
  • Call handling – Upon selecting a custom status, the application is capable of intercepting voice call requests and handling them  (automatically) with your predefined response.
    • Reject Call – The app is now capable of automatically rejecting calls, sending them to voice mail if set up.
    • Call Forward – The app is now capable of automatically forwarding incoming calls to your defined recipient.
      • On both counts it’s still possible to honour the exception list, allowing calls from your predefined contacts from bypassing the rules and passing through.
  • Tools – The application also contains a tool set for some often required ‘tweaks’/file manipulations to resolve some of the niggles we come across in our Lync environment.
    • Lync Cache Cleaning – Lync caches information locally to aid with performance, this can often cause delays when information is updated on other clients or centrally.
      • Photo Cache Cleaning – The application enables the end-user to ‘point and click’ clear down the Lync Client photo cache. Very useful when diagnosing photo synchronisation issues.
      • Contact Cache Cleaning – The application enables the end-user to ‘point and click’ clear down the Lync Client Contact cache cleaning. This saves having to remove all the users login information, but often helps clear spurious contact list issues. Such as people’s status’ being listed incorrectly.
    • Appear Offline – The application gives the end-user the ability to enable a hidden Lync feature, the ability to appear offline.. This is especially useful if you are out of the office and need to make calls, but do not want to receive calls/IM’s
    • Force GAL Download – The application enables the end-user to override the delay of download for the GAL, very handy during a rebuild of an end users machine.
    • Backup GAL – The application makes backing up the local copy of the GAL a point and click process. This comes in handy when migrating a user from one machine to another.

System Requirements

The following guidelines are given as a recommendation – although LCS may work on lower spec machines, in order to gain the best possible experience these specifications should be adhered to.

Component Requirement
Operating system

Windows 7

Windows 8

CPU 1 GHZ or faster x86 or 64-bit processor
Memory

1 GB RAM (32-bit)

2 GB RAM (64-bit)

Disk space 1 gigabytes (GB)
Monitor resolution 1024 x 768
Lync Version Microsoft Lync 2013

Mike Hudson

Mike Hudson is a Lead Cyber Security Analyst living and working in Kingston Upon Hull. With extensive experience in Microsoft and Apple technologies, ranging from desktop OS’s to Server OS’s and hardware. By day working as part of an infrastructure team, and by night ridding the world of IT issues through blog posts..