We’ve been using Lync for some time on Windows and Mac. Microsoft has moved on with Skype for business on the Windows platform. Now a preview for the Mac is available and I decided to sign up for the preview at https://www.skypepreview.com

After been accepted I dowloaded the latest build and started using it. The App has a “check-for-updates” menu item, so no more searching for the download link.

Little snitch reports connections to hockeyapp.com, microsoft.com and microsoftonline.nl. This is expected with preview / beta software. Other connections go to lyncdiscover.valid.nl and autodiscover.valid.nl to connect to my colleagues at valid.nl.

Everything works like on the Windows platform. Some features are missing, but the core functionality is there. Like chatting, voice / video and screen sharing.

My experience is good. I mainly use the chat to communicate with colleagues and that just works. We’re planning to do monthly virtual meetups and then it’ll have to prove worthy.