How to create a custom Lync client in my business application without installing Microsoft Lync?

Question

I would like to implement my own client for Microsoft Lync, which is built into my business application. Can this be done without installing Lync ?. I am targeting the Lync SDK 2010. I found the following information in the documentation, and I was wondering if there was a solution to avoid this:

Use the Microsoft Lync 2010 SDK to add communication and collaboration features to your application. Using the Lync SDK, you can add Microsoft Lync 2010 features to an existing business application or create a custom client that includes Microsoft Lync 2010 features. In any case, Lync 2010 must be a running process on the client computer hosting the Microsoft Lync 2010 API application.

My idea is that my .Net application should be installed without having to install Lync.

Answer 1

If the SDK documentation does not indicate ... Then no. The reason for this is that the Lync client is still processing the actual Lync protocol. The only other option is to reconfigure the Lync protocol and drop your own client from the explorer (this assumes that it does not use some kind of encryption, i.e. Skype).

Edit It turns out that Microsoft published the Lync protocol documentation: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc339480(v=office.12).aspx

Answer 2

Perhaps read this article: Lync API Overview .

Basically, the Lync 2010 SDK you wanted to use negotiation with your installed lync client and therefore needed it. But using the Unified Communications API (UCCA) , you can write your own client while still using the convenient SDK features.