Skype for Business (SFB) is a business-focused app that allows you to instant message, phone and video call, screen share, host and record meetings, and generally collaborate with your colleagues. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Lync, then you’re in luck – Lync was rebranded to Skype for Business in 2015, refining Lync’s core functionalities ever since.
Please note this is a separate product from Skype for consumers. It’s an important distinction to make since SFB should not be viewed as a phone replacement or VOIP Service. It cannot make emergency phone calls. It serves as a lightweight collaboration tool. Any business using the Microsoft ecosystem, particularly small businesses, should take a look at SFB. It seamlessly integrates with Outlook from where you can create Skype meetings and populate your contact list. It offers a variety of plan options at attractive prices, though making sense of that spider web proves difficult (see here). Last but not least, Microsoft has already announced that Teams will be replacing SFB and when sunset occurs, it isn't clear.
- Download Skype for Business across all your devices. Connect with your team anywhere using clients across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android™, or bring remote participants into meeting spaces of all sizes with Skype for Business. Download Skype for Business.
- Skype is the world’s most popular VoIP service that’s used both for calling and chatting. This official Skype client app for Android features the same functionality as its PC counterpart and lets you chat and talk with your friends, colleagues, and f.
- Skype is the world's leading VoIP calling service. A free tool that lets you talk to other users using text chats, voice and/or video conversations. The tool uses a peer-to-peer technology based.
An enjoyable experience
Simplicity is its strength
At its core, SFB allows you to select another SFB user from a contact list and from there, start an instant message conversation, make a call (video if you have that capability), or share your screen. Additional features build from that basic premise.
Easy learning curve and intuitive UI
The application tucks toward the side of your screen, and goes for the tall and skinny look. Your name falls at the top along with your picture, availability status (available, away, do not disturb, etc.), and a personal message for your contacts to see if you choose to write one. Below that sit four icons across the menu – Contacts, Conversations, Meetings, Settings. These determine what you see in the body of the application. It defaults to Contacts, which means most of the time you’ll be looking at your contact list when the app is open. Your contacts each have a picture, availability status, and video capability indication. Managers can check on the idle time of their employees as SFB shows a timestamp for how long someone has been away from their computer.
Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox One. See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Skype.
From there go about your usual use case. Double click on your colleague’s icon and up comes the conversation window. More icons appear allowing you to make a call, share your screen, or send a file. You can also find a “+” icon on the upper right to expand this conversation to more people. Invite the whole office, if you'd like! Some subscription levels allow up to 250 people in a conversation.
The SFB plug-in for Outlook rocks. Once installed, all you need to schedule a Skype meeting from Outlook is to make a new meeting, click on the SFB icon plug-in, and it auto populates your conference information in the body of the meeting. Add your attendees, an agenda, and pick a time, and you are off to your next game of conference call bingo.
Flexibility for including non-SFB users to your meetings and calls help SFB stand-out as a great tool for collaboration. When invited to a SFB meeting, non-SFB users have the ability to download the SFB Web App to their browser. The app allows for HD video conferencing, IM in meetings, presentation viewing, desktop sharing, whiteboard, lobby, and presenter access controls. The app also enables PC-based audio and video. The only drawback is that other SFB functionalities like viewing a user’s presence or contact information are unavailable.
Where can you run this program?
Luckily, Microsoft serves up a free client that you can try. According to the website, the free basic client provides presence, instant messaging, and conferencing features. If you are licensed for Office 365 ProPlus, Office 365 Enterprise E3 and Office 365 Enterprise E4, you are also licensed for the full Skype for Business Windows desktop client, which includes additional features including advanced telephone support, archiving, and compliance features.
Is there a better alternative?
Microsoft has made it clear that Teams will replace SFB but gives no clear date when the service in question will shut down. While the UI of SFB is preferable, Teams has some clear advantages when it comes to features, specially for larger organizations. Persistent chat (think chat rooms) and greater integration with other Microsoft Office suite products is one advantage of Teams. It’s also the future-proof choice given more development is unlikely with SFB.
Slack is another very popular alternative. It has one of the best UIs in the business; mass adoption so you’re bound to find others in your organization that have some experience with it; and a target painted on its back: Microsoft developed Teams to compete with it.
Our take
Small businesses should take a hard look at SFB for their communication needs. That is, if they don’t already subscribe to Office 365 which bundles it. Large businesses may want the more robust features of full-fledged VOIP services or Teams. Its simplicity is its forte. Microsoft Teams – the replacement for SFB – can appear cluttered and less intuitive, albeit more capable.
Should you download?
Does your office participate in the modern, remote-work era where it might need IM, video calling, and teleconferencing? Does it use Microsoft products? If so, it probably already has SFB and if not, the free version lies a few clicks away. So, go for it.
6.1.32.129
Skype is a free service that offers VoIP, voice over IP, software that allows users to connect to others worldwide through video and voice calling. Although the pricing Skype offers for some of its paid services, such as Skype Number and Skype WiFi, its free services can be more telling of the software’s overall functionality for simple calling features. One thing that weighs down this application is the fact that users have to rely on their computers and smartphones in order to make internet calls.
History of Skype
In 2003, the creators of the P2P program Kazaa, developed Skype. After switching hands of ownership a few times, Microsoft came to own the brand in 2011.
What’s Included
Skype is available as a software download on a variety of platforms from smartphones, to computers, and even tablets.
On the free version of Skype, you are able to send and receive instant messages, emojis, and even video and voice chat. However, if you are interested in using Skype as a phone service, please see the Skype’s Pay For Services below.
Also, Skype now offers Facebook amalgamation so you can see your Facebook news feed in within the app itself. In addition to that, Skype allows you to send SMS messages (for a fee) or call your Facebook friends, so long as they have shared their information within Facebook.
Utility and Usability of Skype
If you are looking for a basic features software program, Skype surely is not difficult to use, even for the less-technological perceptive person.
However, unless you absolutely need to use a subscription based calling plan, it is better to stick to the free service version of Skype.
Skype services also has Skype Meetings which allows anyone to join in your call, and you can share in the following features:
- PowerPoint screen sharing and collaboration
- Personalized URL that allows you to join from any device
- You can video call with up to ten people (without a subscription)
With Skype for Microsoft Office 365 you can get all the above features plus:
- Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, and PowerPoint
- Record your meetings
- Hold meetings with up to two-hundred and fifty people
- Use instant messaging anytime and anywhere
Skype’s Pay For Services
With Skype’s Unlimited World Plan, you can call all mobile and landlines in the following countries:
- Canada
- China
- Hong Kong SAR
- Guam
- United States
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Puerto Rico
Install Skype For Laptop
In addition to those countries, you can call landlines in fifty-five countries.
If you are not looking for an unlimited plan and only plan on making a few calls, you can also buy Skype Credit which can be used to send SMS messages and call both mobile and landlines.
Skype Download
Concluding Thoughts
Due to its low cost VoIP services, and good entry level features for free software, Skype is worth considering if you are looking for a VoIP service but have minimal needs, i.e. using it to connect with family and friends. Even though the service offers unlimited plans and bundled packages for calling minutes, both domestic and foreign, one is restricted to using the software on their mobile device or computer, (as a soft phone). The software is easy to install and makes it perfect for individuals that are less advanced in terms of technology.
Skype
Pros
- Easy to install
- Instant Messaging
- Cheap VoIP Service
- Subscription services with unlimited minutes
- Domestic and Foreign calls
- Calls to mobile numbers
- Social media integration
- Video conferencing calls
- Wifi service available
Cons
Skype Download Folder
- Needs internet access
- High consumption of resources
- Added and extra features must be purchased.
- No language translation
- No call returns
- No call blocking
- No ability to call 911 or emergency services
- Lacking in tools for Skype Business
- Video function sometimes lags or has errors if the internet connection on either party’s end is not faster or strong enough