Beyond expectation
Limited features for business collaboration find it lacking in terms of advanced features.Business depend heavily on communication tools …
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft TeamsFormerly Lync
Overview
What is Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams?
Skype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.
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Popular Features
- Desktop sharing (189)8.888%
- High quality audio (188)8.080%
- High quality video (183)7.777%
- Low bandwidth requirements (180)6.666%
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
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What is Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams?
Skype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.
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- No setup fee
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- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Alternatives Pricing
What is Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams combines video conferencing software with team collaboration tools. The communications platform allows MS Office users to conduct conference calls and share files via SharePoint, and join or initiate a group chat.
What is GoTo Connect?
GoToConnect, from GoTo, is a cloud-based business phone system with built-in web-based video conferencing solutions. It includes features such as call analytics, call recording, softphone, fax to email, voicemail to email, and desktop integration.
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Product Details
- About
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams?
Skype for Business was a unified communications tool superseded by Microsoft Teams.
For personal use, Skype Desktop and Mobile apps are still available for download, but for business functionality the vendor now fully supports Microsoft Teams as the replacement for Skype for Business.
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams Technical Details
| Operating Systems | Unspecified |
|---|---|
| Mobile Application | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Skype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.
Reviewers rate Live chat highest, with a score of 9.2.
The most common users of Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams are from Enterprises (1,001+ employees).
Comparisons
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Reviews and Ratings
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Reviews
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December 16, 2022
Great Software!
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Skype for Business to work with employees all across the country. The instant chat feature allows our staff to ask a quick question without it getting lost in an email.
- The ability to update our status
- Our status automatically being updated based on our Outlook calendar
- Being able to create a group
- Conversation section should be able to be cleared out
- Chat feature needs to allow for more text
- Copy and pasting feature does not always work well
December 07, 2022
How could I work without Skype/Microsoft Teams?
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We used to have Skype as the main internal chat tool at the company. I remember liking it since the beginning - it is very easy to use, and I had complete familiarity with my personal account for many, many years. The fact that it is integrated with all the other Microsoft applications makes it very useful; I am always connected to the people in my organization. We use it internally for daily chatting, file exchange, and virtual meetings. The only "problem" I could see is the interface - compared to Microsoft Teams' look and feel, Skype is not really nice (but we could just only notice later!).
- Instantaneous messaging.
- Emojis
- Video calls.
- Activity records.
- Notifications (email and app notifications).
- Customization of user's display (colors, photo, quick links etc).
- Export chat records.
- No video recording expiration.
- Voice -to-text for chat messages.
- Better meeting/call schedule experience.
October 26, 2022
"Reliable communication application, offers seamless integrations, and has numerous features."
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Skype for Business has become our organization's de facto standard for internal communication across our departments. It lets us share screens, make voice and video calls, and update office status. It has screen-sharing, file transfer, video calling, and group calling, we use Office 365, and Outlook handles email and calendars. I appreciate how the uncluttered dialer and lightning-fast contact recognition are consistent across all of our devices and how easy it is to navigate. Its unique emojis are instantly recognizable and memorable and have many more characters. This program's features—including texting, calling, and integrating with international and local lines—make it worthwhile for professionals without overwhelming them.
- It is an installation-friendly, scalable communication tool.
- It enables more accessible internal communication, safe content sharing, and collaboration.
- Very interactive, with a wide range of functions, including informal workplace instant messaging.
- The intuitiveness with which one can interact with the software has fantastic UI and video call quality.
- It cannot communicate with an offline user, and sometimes, calling lags.
- It is necessary to make improvements to the group functionality.
- The chat history is erased upon closing the chat window; it's less functional than Zoom.
July 06, 2022
Skype is great for meetings
Skype for Business helps us to drive technical calls by screen sharing with the whole team, and for communication within the team by means of chat, file sharing, voice calls, etc.
- Screen sharing.
- Chat function.
- File sharing.
- Status setting.
- Offline email messages.
- Launch time of desktop application.
- It displays one user name multiple times with all the conversations, I would like to see it as one chat window.
- Overall performance should be made fast.
March 21, 2022
Skype Review
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Skype for Business had an excellent use case. since we were using Microsoft products for Collaboration, the integration was seamless. the organization seamlessly moved from another product to Skype. The migration and transition was extremely satisfying feeling.
The functionality is well integrated with other Office 356 programs
The functionality is well integrated with other Office 356 programs
- set do not disturb during meeting after check the show me as do not disturb when i share my desktop it is available in Skype for business settings inside the status.
- you can record all video's chatting very easily in case you need to remember conversation than you will get it all with the help of video recorder and also you can set resolation.
- you can open easily Skype meeting calendar in your outlook directly
- we can share power point and word files for viewing your team members it is very useful feature.
- Documentation is not the best. It has t
- Messaging is not available in chronological order which is not easy to comprehend
- Sometimes users have not been able to make video calls, the need to restart the Skype app, unable to send messages. these issues have to be fixed first.
March 07, 2022
The First video conference tool I have ever used
We use Skype for business for almost all business meetings, being an international organization and having to work with colleagues mostly outside of the country skype for business is one of the tools which is part of the startup list in our desktops, workstations, and laptops some of us use it even in our handheld devices. The only feature which was missing in the version which our company was using is the ability to transfer files this is one of the most used tools/software for most of us.
- conference calls
- messaging with notification
- syncing with outlook calendar
- status settings
- organization of contacts
- conversation history
- connection to corporate directory
- organization charts
- file sharing
- task tracking as a group
- multi screen sharing
- Multiple presenters
- connection with other productivity applications
January 26, 2022
Skype for Business - Review
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Microsoft Skype for Business has solved instant messaging and video conferencing challenges, specifically throughout the pandemic. The majority of our meetings are conducted with Skype for Business. There are different features you can benefit from including the ability to present your desktop or PowerPoint slides, as well as using a whiteboard for drawings.
- Video conferencing
- Instant messaging
- Desktop presentation
- Integration with Exchange server
- From my experience, the offline instant messaging is not good
- Client applications on mobile devices suffer performance issues
- There are problems when the number of people in a single session goes over 300
January 10, 2022
"Great Communication Tool At The Click Of A Button."
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Skype for Business is imperative that we use it in our organization during this uncertain time. A good thing about Excel and Outlook is how well they work with each other. During a meeting, switching between mobile and desktop is smooth. At the start of a meeting, useful reminders or notifications are sent. The interface is reminiscent of a sequence of Google Docs and GoToMeeting. I can do so much with this software and with my colleagues. It’s easy to tag people in chats using the Android app, which is user-friendly. Messages can be made “important” to get everyone’s attention. When I left Zoom for Microsoft, security concerns were a major factor in my decision. Connecting to my email provider is convenient, and the software is easy to use.
- Sharing presentations amongst participants and integration with other Microsoft products is a great feature.
- Each team has multiple channels for different topics and excels at graphical input.
- Other apps also help improve workflow, and participants can easily add their content and comment on it.
- More emoticons for messages and faster client upgrades would be nice.
- With low bandwidth internet connections, it appears that platform integration is problematic.
- Automatic transcription of audio and presence sharing between Skype and Microsoft Teams would be nice features.
December 25, 2021
Meeting and a collaborative Tool
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Have a quick video conversation with colleagues for project coordination that the market is solving problems. Thanks to Skype for Business, the flexibility of our meetings has been improved. I can use it on my android or laptop. It is portable, so I can use it no matter where I am. It greatly expands our contact methods from sharing to team management, everything is concentrated in one area. It simplifies everything. As opportunities for working from home increase, organizations will benefit from implementing this approach. The collaboration feature is great, allowing the team to collaborate in real time. Very suitable for working from home.
- One of the most powerful and useful application for online meetings and conferences.
- Skype for Business user interface is simple, clear and easy to use.
- It is easier for customers further away to use them, then this will be a better platform.
- It integrates with outlook to enable you to schedule meetings with multi participants.
- It's also fine to search for older messages.
- The most downside of Skype is that it charges for calls to other landlines and networks.
- It does not automatically update the location.
- More people can enter at times, but the voice is not always clear.
November 13, 2021
Uniqueness goes beyond the boundaries of communication
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use this tool because it is compatible with all Microsoft products. We used to use Skype for Business (formerly Lync), now part of Microsoft Teams, to call and text our colleagues. We still use Skype for Business, but we don't use it nearly as much as we'd like to. Using it is more enjoyable because of its unique features, and it works seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook and other office applications. The UI is simple and easy to understand. With one click, we can join a team or chat with someone in groups, rather than open an app, search for the person, and then call or text them.
- Organizations will appreciate the simple user interface and seamless integration with other Microsoft products with this excellent instant messaging app.
- Teams can have multiple channels for different topics and make video calls and phone calls, and all communication is well organized within each Team.
- Sharing documents is as simple as dragging and dropping them into a chat window. We can form our groups in a precise manner.
- Integration with third-party apps and the ease with which it can be escalated to higher levels of communication also aid in streamlining workflow.
- The conference call quality could be better, and it is expensive compared to other similar apps.
- There are problems with connectivity in large meetings and the number of people who can attend is restricted.
- File sharing and VoIP use a lot of bandwidth. Searching for old messages is a problem right from the start. Unfortunately, the search function is not practical.
November 12, 2021
Enterprise large scale collaboration tool - although it's slowly getting to be a dinosaur
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Skype for [Business] is the default communication tool used across our organization for all parallels - Tech, Finance, HR. Even interviews for our firm are done via the platform. A major part of our office infrastructure depends on Office 365 suite and [using] Outlook for mails and calendars. Thus, the need was for an instant communication platform, customizable for enterprise, that could integrate well with these, and what better option than another Microsoft product. Skype makes it easy to reach out to any person within the firm via just her/his name or email ID, start instant chats, retrieve them via outlook, share screens, video calls, and voice calls - all of which are used roughly 20-30 times a day on average by an average employee. For an organization with over 90000 employees, a tool that could integrate well with the existing Outlook infrastructure, and provide a means for communication, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and office status (Available/Busy/OOO etc), Skype was the best possible option. Noteworthy that Skype for [Business] was started being used at a time when MS Teams was not launched yet.
- Instant messaging to anyone who we know only by name/email. Even if they're offline, they get the message in missed convos and a notification automatically goes to them via Outlook mail. All conversations are saved and accessible via Outlook.
- Video and voice calls are a norm in the WFH scenario, and an average employee has around 4-5 calls a day. Skype gives notifications for upcoming meetings, allows easy scheduling via outlook calendar, and its audio/video quality [is] reasonably good compared to the amount of data it consumes.
- Status availabilities - in the WFH scenario, you could be off for lunch, out of office, busy, sharing screens - and might not want to be disturbed. Skype allows you to do that, and in case you're off, ensures that you know that you have missed messages.
- Screen sharing - we have to share screens at least once or twice a day with a coworker when working on some issues/features, and Skype easily lets us do that. One of the best things about Skype is that the screen can be shared without being on a video/voice call - which is of immense advantage because oftentimes, you could prefer sharing the screen, while it [is] too noisy to talk.
- Skype's UI leaves a lot to be desired, especially considering newer platforms like Zoom, Teams, Slack, Meet, and so on. It's slow and lacks many features that are now de facto in the newer communication apps.
- Skype calendar also is often buggy - meeting times do not get updated on the calendar even if the correct time does come up on the Outlook calendar.
- It does not give you the option to mute chats - oftentimes, you want to keep some group chats on mute without leaving them entirely.
- Closing off a chat before it's saved will remove it from Skype history. You'd need to go search for it on Outlook mail.
November 07, 2021
Stay Connected with Skype for Business
Skype for Business makes it easy for us to connect and collaborate with coworkers and vendors: via message conversations and voice or video calls. We can also use SFB to exchange files quickly. The good thing about skype for business is that you can install it on a variety of platforms e.g. IOS/Android/Windows
- The application on windows 10 is lightweight. No CPU/Memory hogging
- Simple and easy to use interface
- Can be deployed in Cloud/Hybrid/on-prem
- Skype for business messages on Apple watch
- ability to mask/disable sending sensitive messages containing credit card numbers.
- Would be nice to get the option of using WebUI
July 29, 2021
Skype 4 life
[Skype for Business (formerly Lync) is] used for messaging between users where users can see each others status and understand how likely your message will be answered. We escalate calls to full two way voice from messages, we also conference other people in with a drag and drop action that is very easy. We can escalate the call to full video conferencing with multiple users. We can also share our screens and uses can control each others desktops.
- See users status before contacting them
- Have a good idea that the will respond before you reach out to them
- Good quality of voice
- Easy to use
- Easy to escalate to higher forms of communication
- Integration to other platforms
- Presence shared between Skype and ms teams
- Faster upgrades to clients
July 14, 2021
Great option for Microsoft Office users
We use this tool across the entire organization as it integrates well with other Microsoft products that we use. This integration is great as it allows information (like availability, contact details, etc) to be shared across platforms. One can join a meeting in Teams or chat with someone with just a click rather than going through multiple steps of opening a new app, looking for the person, and then calling/messaging them.
- Integration across other Microsoft products is great feature.
- All communication is well organized within individual Teams and each team can have multiple channels for different topics.
- Integration with third party apps also helps improve workflow.
- Doesn't seem to work well with low bandwidth internet connections.
- Automatic transcription of audio would be a nice feature to have.
- More emoticons to react to messages would be nice.
June 13, 2021
Okay app for IM
Skype for business was the foremost used instant messaging and video calling software used in my organization.
Previously it was used by whole organization but now it is limited to various teams in the organization, as another software are being used now.
Skype is used to share messages between colleagues, teammates any internal team messages. It is very easy to install and use.
Previously it was used by whole organization but now it is limited to various teams in the organization, as another software are being used now.
Skype is used to share messages between colleagues, teammates any internal team messages. It is very easy to install and use.
- Very good instant messaging app f[o]r organi[z]ations with minimal UI.
- Easy to make video calls, phone calls.
- One can share screen with everyone you are calling, helpful in case of showing presentation or giving lectures.
- We can even make calls to particular phone number through Skype for Business.
- Can share documents and files over Skype for Business app.
- In todays scenario it is bit costly compared to other similar apps available in market.
- UI is way too old. It needs redevelopment.
- Searching old messages is problematic from [the] start of using this app. Search doesn't work good.
- Number of person able to attend meeting is limited.
May 19, 2021
Great comms product
Skype for Business (formerly Lync) is currently being used throughout all departments in the entire organization. It is used as the front end communications application, whether it be for internal calls, external calls, message bank, or instant messages. It is also used for video conferencing, which has been especially useful during lockdowns and times that staff have had to work from home.
- Strong VOIP capabilities
- Address book
- Video conferencing
- Obviously relies on an internet connection
- Some settings are not very intuitive when needing to change them
May 19, 2021
The Hype of Skype
Skype [for Business (formerly Lync)] was used in my organization for secure state employee messaging and videos calls. It addressed the need for live instant communication between employees for collaboration and discussion.
- Skype is a great widely used platform quick message platform.
- Office 365 Connected
- Allows Screen Sharing
- Connectivity issues. Frequent Freezing,
- It seems to require a lot of bandwidth. Our computers don't have a lot of RAM.
- Large Files take a very long time to share.
May 18, 2021
Works well, but perhaps lacking more features
Our organization used Skype as the main messaging application across the entire organization globally for all employees. They are installed by default on all user machines and used as the primary instant messaging software for communication between teams and employees.
- Established name
- Simple and easy to use
- Call quality is good
- Not as many features as some other software
Skype is used to communicate between teams in our organization from last 2 years. There are couples of softwares, which are used by our organization but most of the time we use Skype for chat, video conferencing, screeen sharing etc. We discuss our day working plan, our ideas and which team will work on which project all these discussions are made on Skype.
- Skype uninterrupted live screen sharing
- Skype uninterrupted live video conferencing.
- File sharing on Skype.
- Write messages through voice command.
- Location sharing.
- They should provide Skype light version for computers also.
Skype for Business is used across the organisation for VOIP telephony, instant messaging, screen sharing and video. As a collaboration tool it has been used for meetings, one to one calls and quick messaging.
- Instant messaging is clear, quick, and easy to use.
- Internal telephony call quality on Skype for Business is generally quite good.
- Screen sharing is easy to do including selecting specific monitors if you happen to be using more than one.
- Probably the biggest area is the video element as it has historically struggled in this area.
- The need to be forced to federate with another organisation by providing yours and enabling the other organisation settings is a bit tedious but once done, allows for simple collaboration between third-parties.
- Functionality wise, as it's an older product and being superseded by MS Teams, it feels as if it's run its course but was very good for what it does/did at the time.
May 12, 2021
Good value
It is being used across the whole organization. It was used to chat instantly with anyone, schedule video or voice calls. It was also very helpful because it allowed people to see each other's set up situation (busy, available, away, etc.), so you pick the people easier to reach out according to their availability.
- Instant chat
- Share documents
- Meetings across the globe
- The files you sent on Skype can sometimes be not accessible
- The file size limitation is restricting
May 06, 2021
Skype for Business meets the core needs
We used it as a company wide instant messaging tool and also for some file and screen sharing. It allows users to see if other users are online and get a quick response to a question. It was also used to send files, images and screen shares quickly while on the phone as well.
- Shows status if available, away or in a meeting
- Instant messaging
- File share
- Call quality
- Does not tie into Microsoft ecosystem in the same way teams does
- Sometimes status seem slow to update
May 06, 2021
Skype for Business is a great collaboration tool
Skype for Business is used in Orange Business Services across all Russian offices. This is one of primary collaboration tools and it enables voice and video calls, messaging with attachments, meetings and screen sharing for workers. It also contains corporate directory to find the right person to communicate with. It is configured to allow both PSTN and office calls as well as voice calls to our business partners with federation installed.
- Messaging is ok.
- Voice calls of good quality.
- Meetings work fine .
- Excellent corporate directory.
- Messaging has a poor history.
- We have troubles with meetings with great number of participants.
- Sometimes communication is not stable enough but it might be network issues.
May 03, 2021
Simpler and streamlined video conferencing app
We use Skype for Business across the whole organization to share information and get updates on anything related to work. It makes the communication among us streamlined and enjoyable. we can send files, pictures, and screen sharing during the video call to share our work or presentation. It is makes working from home much easier.
- can do messaging with picture and video sharing options
- screen sharing during video call is very convenient
- program is stable rarely has downtimes
- this shouldn't be a complaint but i wish Skype has better emotes
April 30, 2021
Skype for Business review
Skype for Business is used by our entire organization. The main purpose for using Skype for Business are video calls, although it is used as a messenger as well. As pandemic starts and some workers started to work remotely it is used more and more often. Skype for Business is also used when there are large meetings, in which representatives from different divisions discuss the strategy and challenges of our company.
- It is very easy and intuitive to use.
- You can have calls or video calls using Skype for business. Also you can share your screen which is really important for my work.
- It is integrated with other programs. For example if you have a missed call, you receive a message in outlook and you know that someone called you.
- You can change your status in Skype for Business. For example if you have a very important work to do, you can change your status to "busy," or to "not disturb". If someone is in a call you can also see that and wait till that person ends the call if you want to discuss something with him.
- You can transfer contacts that you call most to favorites, so it would be faster and easier to contact them.
- You can share your screen and give control to another person, if that person wants to add or show you something in a file that you shared.
- The quality of audio is good, but noise cancelling is not the best in Skype for Business.
- When you share your screen in a video call, your computer starts lagging and sometimes large files stop responding.