Microsoft is bringing the best of Skype and the best of Lync together to connect millions of people from around the world. Microsoft Lync will soon be “Skype for Business,” which is scheduled for release in the first half of 2015.
This is a bold move by Microsoft - one that makes sense and you may have seen coming. Check out this video by Microsoft that highlights the new Skype for Business:
Understand the changes
Microsoft is marketing this new product as “the experience you love,” i.e. Skype, with “the security you trust,” i.e. Lync, together in one place. This change will impact all organisations using Lync in that there will be a new client experience, new server release and updates to the service in Office 365.
New features that will benefit you
This update is good news for current and future users. Everyone loves Skype and everyone is familiar with its easy-to-use interface and functionality. Here are some of the new features that you’ll benefit from:
- You will get the familiar Skype icons, user experience and call monitoring.
- You will get improved content-sharing and telephony. For example, it will only take one click to transfer a call - not three.
- You will be able to instant message, audio call and video call any Skype user anywhere in the world.
- You will benefit from increased call quality. Skype for Business will take on the SILK default codec from Skype, which Microsoft claims will improve audio quality.
- You will experience increased mobility with new mobile apps. Yes you heard me right. Finally, Microsoft will release some high quality mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows that will enable your team to communicate on the go, through the one tool.
Gurdeep Pall, Corporate Vice President at Skype, is excited about how Skype for Business takes advantage of the strengths of both Skype and Lync. He says, “We’re adopting the familiar Skype icons for calling, adding video and ending a call.” You can see this in action with the below screenshot (taken from Skype blog):
How do you update to Skype for Business?
If you are a current Lync Server customer, you can take advantage of this change by updating from Lync Server 2013 to the new Skype for Business Server in 2015. You will not need any new hardware.
If you are a current Office 365 customer using Lync, Microsoft will handle all the required updates. You will need to do nothing.
Microsoft’s goal with this change is to “bring together the familiar experience and user love of Skype with the enterprise security, compliance, and control from Lync to create the most loved and trusted communications platform for doing things together.”
They certainly have my tick of approval. At R & G Technologies, we can’t wait for the release. If you want to learn more about Skype for Business, register for our webinar on December 4. We’ll take a detailed look at the changes and make some predictions to help you plan for the future.
Learn more about Skype for Business: Watch our webinar
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