Overview of Communicator for Mac
Office for Mac 2011 will reach end of support on October 10, 2017. To stay supported, you will need to upgrade. For more information, see these resources.
Applies to: Office for Mac 2011
Topic Last Modified: 2016-12-16
Microsoft Communicator for Mac 2011 works with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 to provide real-time collaboration between people in different locations. People can collaborate in real time by using several methods of communication, including instant messaging (IM), presence, Web conferencing, and audio/video (A/V) conferencing. Contacts that a user adds to his or her Communicator account can include coworkers in the same company and, if authorized, associates on federated networks.
IM conversations are not limited to conversations with other Communicator for Mac users. With Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Communicator for Mac users can have IM conversations with contacts who use Office Communicator for Windows and public instant-messaging connectivity (PIC), such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger. These accounts must have the required IM connectivity licenses. You can then authorize or deny federated access for an individual user or groups of users, and you can block federated partners from using IM with particular users.
Intended audience
The Microsoft Communicator for Mac 2011 Deployment Guide is for system implementers, IT managers, system administrators, or other people who plan for, implement, and maintain Communicator for Mac in their organizations.
Communicator for Mac is available as part of Microsoft Office for Mac Standard 2011 as well as a standalone edition for volume licensing customers. For information about Office for Mac 2011 deployment, see the Office for Mac 2011 Administrator's Guide.
Documentation roadmap
This document guides you through planning and deploying Communicator for Mac in a corporate environment. The following table describes the chapter content.
| Chapter | Description |
|---|---|
Details about the new features in Communicator for Mac and information about what you should consider when you upgrade to the new version |
|
Installing and Configuring Communicator for Mac 2011 on a Corporate Network |
How to install and deploy Communicator for Mac in a corporate environment |
Post-installation instructions that include how to integrate Communicator for Mac with Office for Mac 2011 and how to customize and deploy Communicator for Mac preferences. |
|
Additional resources for planning, deploying, and maintaining Communicator for Mac |