What does Skype for Business do that Skype doesn't?
Skype is the world's most popular instant messaging and video communications application, with over 300 million active users every month. Skype was launched in 2003 and is still a global success today, with many new applications competing with the leader. In 2014, Microsoft, the new owner of the brand, announced the launch of a business version offering even more useful features for professionals. Here's some information to help you choose between free and paid versions. Read all our reviews of videoconferencing solutions.
Microsoft Lync replaced by Skype for Business
Microsoft bought Skype in 2011 for €8.9 billion to replace its less popular existing services (Windows Live Messenger and Lync). This staggering valuation is justified by the quality of this videoconferencing tool:
- Its adoption is massive. Like Word and Excel, businesses are familiar with the application even before they buy it.
- Skype is compatible with all systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android
- Essential free features: instant messaging, video conferencing and file transfer
- A pleasant interface and good performance
Microsoft didn't just add Skype to the Office suite: it also worked on integrating it with the company's calendar and address book. The result is a significant improvement in productivity for Microsoft Office 365 users.
Instant messaging, videoconferencing, VoIP, file transfer
The free version of Skype covers all the dimensions that are complementary to, and essential for, traditional messaging. With the trend towards greater employee mobility, productivity and innovation, instant communication has become a must-have for everyone. Skype offers the following functions:
- Add contacts to your address book using their Skype ID or by name
- Instant messaging with as many people as you like
- Make audio calls in pairs or groups of up to 25 people (including you)
- Voicemail so your contacts can leave you messages
- Video calls for two or groups of up to 10 people (including you)
- Screen sharing for two or groups of up to 10 people (including you)
- Send files and contacts
- VoIP: buy credit to call landlines and mobiles worldwide
The free version of Skype is more than enough for most start-ups and very small businesses. The limit of 10 or 25 users is rarely reached and the functional coverage is very satisfactory. However, while the uses will probably keep you with this version, there are some hidden limitations that could change the minds of even the most demanding users.
The limitations of Skype that will make you switch to the Business version
The most intensive users of Skype will notice the software's limitations for themselves. This list is up to date at the time of writing:
Video calls or videoconferencing
Video calls are limited to 100 hours per month, 10 hours per day and 4 hours per call. This is a relatively high limit, as it is intended to limit abuse. Video conferencing, on the other hand, is limited to 10 people, with optimum quality for up to 5 people. Some conferences are so jerky that participants end up having to contact each other by telephone. You can have up to 25 people, but only the first 10 will be able to use their cameras. The next 15 will use audio only.
Slow file sharing
Skype isn't designed for exchanging files, but it's true that the function is practical. The slowness of the exchanges will quickly make you switch to a dedicated solution such as DropBox or Google Drive.
Security, a strong argument for upgrading to the paid version
With Skype, Microsoft gives you no guarantee of the security and confidentiality of your data. So you can lose your contacts, history and files without repair. What's more, your conversations are not specifically covered to keep them confidential.
Skype for Business for businesses with more than 20 employees
Microsoft recommends that businesses with more than 20 employees upgrade to the paid version of Skype to avoid the limit of 10 participants and to benefit from the security of your data. Although Skype for Business looks very similar to Skype, it uses a completely different, more secure and stable channel for data transmission.
In addition to the features mentioned above, Skype for Business offers the following benefits:
- Videoconferencing: up to 250 participants can be added to group video calls at optimum quality (HD).
- Audio and video conferences can be recorded for replay or shared on YouTube
- Integration with Office 365 still suffers from a few shortcomings compared with Lync, but users already benefit from the ability to call a contact directly from an email received, or join a conference from an event in the Outlook calendar. Contacts are also synchronised between Outlook and Skype.
- Conference participants can take notes live and then share tasks in Outlook's task manager.
- Access to your Skype account with your work email and password
In terms of Skype administration, managers appreciate being able to manage all accounts from an administration panel, which can be used to manage rights and reset passwords, for example. Finally, the security of the application and data exchanges is far superior to the free version. Here we find the same features as for Office 365: data redundancy, encryption of exchanges, data backup and hosting in Europe.
IP telephony (VoIP), the next business revolution
Although VoIP is still being tested in most businesses, it has improved considerably, and Skype is playing a strong card in this area. With over 300 million users and an initial rate of €0.02/minute, Skype could be a dominant player in the market. The application lets you call landlines and mobiles in France and abroad. You can also choose your own telephone number to create an illusion with your contacts.
Switching to Skype for Business is not automatic for most businesses, far from it. However, the most demanding users in terms of security, as well as the most intensive users, will find this version interesting. What is certain is that its integration with Microsoft Office 365, which is constantly being improved, will naturally attract more and more emulators.
Article translated from French