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Skype (the personal edition) is a free web or video conferencing and VoIP software. The free version includes free audio and video Skype-to-Skype calls, ability to call mobile phones and landlines, paid international calling, and conference calling capabilities for up to 25 people.https://dudodiprj2sv7.cloudfront.net/product-logos/qJ/Wv/F01LBWLMDIHG.JPEGMicrosoftGood budget option for collaborative meetings2018-12-17T17:43:51.226ZWe use Skype to collaborate with research team members and collaborators who work in various parts of the country. Skype allows us to talk in person (either via video chat or audio only), and the screen sharing capability of Skype allows us to show and discuss results easily. Because Skype is free, we are able to meet whenever we want with collaborators while keeping costs to a minimum.,Easy to install for MacOS or Windows and user account setup is intuitive.
In the newest version of Skype, you can make the window showing the other person very small. This feature is nice, because I can quickly look something up on my computer and still see the person I am talking to.
The chat capability of Skype is also handy if you need to quickly send someone a bit of code or a website link.,I find the new interface of Skype very unintuitive compared to previous versions. Every time I am talking with someone I end up clicking on icons until I find the chat area or the screen sharing option.
In newer versions of Skype, I've had many issues with audio feedback being slow or interrupted, despite the fact that I have high speed internet. This is extremely annoying if you are trying to discuss difficult and complex topics.
Sometimes the video option randomly doesn't work, and I also find it difficult to add people to your Skype phonebook if you don't know their exact Skype username.,6,Because Skype is free, it has had a positive impact on our business objectives. This year we had several budget constraints, and Skype allowed us to conduct important meetings with stakeholders for free.
Since the video / audio quality of Skype is not always very good, it impacts the efficiency of meetings. Meetings end up lasting longer if calls are dropped or if the audio cuts out repeatedly. Time lost on a Skype call equates to less research productivity, which negatively impacts the objectives of our research team.
The real-time screen sharing in Skype allows for members of my research team to quickly see results from collaborators in different institutions. Seeing results (either in plots or slide shows) rather then hearing about them is much more meaningful and helps us build on the work of our collaborators. This positively impacts our research.,Zoom,Zoom Video Webinar, Adobe Acrobat DC, Google DriveMaike HolthuijzenAn All Around Good Communications Tool2018-12-09T20:17:56.676ZWe use Skype to communicate externally with other peer organizations. Notably we have also used Skype to communicate with job applicants in other countries. As a large organization I am sure that other offices are using Skype on campus. Skype fills a void for a reliable face to face communication platform that makes it feel like you are having a casual conversation with others without the need to be present. In a previous role I used Skype's chat or instant messaging features but no longer use that functionality. It worked well when I used it but it is my understanding they have beefed up this functionality.,It does video calling very well.
You can share files easily over the platform.
The chat / instant messaging feature was robust.
It's very accessible. Users on many platforms can use it.
It is reliable. I have not had issues with uptime or charshing.,I think that often people are confused on what usage or functions will cost them money to use.
Everyone is concerned about security and safety these days. I don't conduct secret business over Skype but I've heard there may be some concerns about this issue if you are thinking of using it for sensitive information.
Chat history gets deleted after a certain point so if keeping years long records is something that you are looking to do consider saving chunks off from time to time.,10,My department does not use Skype in a way that would be seen as generating a return on investment but for what the product does it is a good value.
It really closes the distance gap in working with offices that are far away. Conference calls can be so soul crushing, this is a much better option.
The only negative impact is that it is not the only video conferencing tool that I use. Given that it is not as strong of a multi user platform I can't say that it may cover every need that every office would have.,Google Hangouts, Join.me, WebEx Meetings and GoToMeeting,Join.me, Google Hangouts, WebEx Meetings,No,Price
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Product Reputation
Prior Experience with the Product,I think we had a really solid selection process. We brainstormed different products for video communications and then did some Google searching as well to see what might exist that we had not heard of. After we got the list together I went out and wrote up a summary of the pros and cons of each one. We met back after that and talked through the prospects and landed on using a mix of Skype, Google Hangouts, and GoToMeeting depending on the situation.Jason HartiganIncreasing Meaningful and Stable Connections with Skype2018-12-08T18:28:18.306ZSkype is being used by the entire University. We did not use Skype when I first began at UNT, but over time, all phones were digitized and linked through Skype on our computers. Skype helps our employees to be more efficient during the work day by reducing the amount of time it takes to contact other employees, schedule meetings, or determine someone's availability.,Outlook Calendar Integration - Skype is connected to my Outlook Calendar and shows my availability to other users through the instant message function and also sends meeting reminders to the screen of my office phone. This allows me to keep track of my schedule but also allows my colleagues to know if I am available or not, how long I have been away, and when I will return.
Phone and Video Conference calls - Skype was my go-to for video conference calls even before my company purchased it for all our users. Now I get the added bonus of all the business functions and Outlook integration. I could start a single user video call in seconds and initiate it through the instant message function. Group conference calls are also now made easier through Skype. We don't all need to register for additional systems or accounts, like Google, to be able to facilitate a conference call.
Skype Missed Calls and Voicemail - One of my favorite things about Skype is the missed call and voicemail notifications I receive through my email. I am much more likely to notice missed calls and actually listen to voicemails. I no longer have to call in to my phone to listen to voicemail, I can check it quickly as I empty my email inbox.
Skype Rolodex - Looking up phone numbers for my colleagues across campus used to be very time consuming if their numbers were not on our website. through Skype, I can look up anyone's phone number and place a call in a matter of seconds.,Speed Dial - When using the speed dial function through my phone, which is determined by my favorites in Skype messenger, there is an occasional error in the call. Even though I am using the speed dial for phone, the call will register for the recipient through their computer and they cannot answer on their landline. I then have to hang up and manually dial their number.
Video Call Quality - While the ease of setting up a conference call is there, the quality of the video calls could still be improved. The audio runs without issue but the quality of the video can still become grainy, pixellated, or frozen.
User Name Incongruity - The list of contacts on Skype messenger is not congruent in the way it lists users. Some users are listed by email, some are listed by a user name, and some are listed by last name and first name. This is not a glaring issue, but I am not familiar with some user names, which results in having to do a manual look up for some people. It would be easier if they were all able to be listed by first and last name.,9,Faster Client Response - Because I am able to check my missed calls and voicemails through my email with Skype, I end up with a faster responses rate to my clients both in and out of the office. I check my messages with my email and return calls faster than before I had Skype. It also makes it quick and easy to check my voicemail through email on my cell phone while away from the office. I no longer have to call into my office landline to check messages!
Quicker Client Connection - One of the most common occurrences in our business is that one employee will need to make referrals for a student or client to another employee in our organization. In the past these referrals have been cumbersome and have not always led to eventual connection of the client to another employee. We would send them across campus to another office in hopes that the employee was available, or with an email or phone number and hope that they took the initiative to reach out. With the instant messenger and the video call function, we are able to contact employees across campus immediately so that clients can talk face to face with with their point of referral.
More Efficient Business Model - This is a goal of our organization for the upcoming year. Skype has already helped us to progress in this goal by reducing the amount of time spent on unnecessary communications and processes. In the past, at a business with thousands of employees, we were forced to look up internal phone numbers on our website or through the phone roster. Now, I can look up phone numbers and email addresses through Skype messenger almost instantly, in addition to being able to send an instant message. I can also view other employees' schedules and availability through Skype messenger, instead of having to comb through Outlook. This helps me schedule calls and meetings more quickly than I have been able to before I started using Skype.,Google Hangouts,Skype for Business (formerly Lync), Polycom RealPresence Group Series, Google HangoutsKathleen E. HobsonWhen you need to connect, but can’t in person.2018-12-03T19:39:31.458ZI use Skype to contact and work with other artists when they don’t have Apple products. I use it for interviews when a job far away needs to interview me face to face. I also use it for contacting my family who live far away.,I think it is a great too for connecting with family and building professional relationships.
I think it is a tool that provides convenience because you can skype whenever is suitable for you.
I think it is easily accessible to call and connect.
I like that the Skype can be free depending on your needs.
Useful to connect to all no matter what system they use Sndroid, PC, or Mac.,I’ve definitely have had connection and picture issues with the software even when the internet was good.
I don’t like that some calls were dropped or interrupted at random.
If someone does have an Apple product, it is faster and easier to use Facetime, as no logging in is required.,9,The Skype interviews I have had were successful and there weren’t any issues connecting.
Still finding calls to sometimes have bad connection that interferes with getting to the conversation.
I wish paid features weren’t highly encouraged while I’m connecting with family.,,MailChimpSarah LightmanSkype takes the cake when it comes to video calls!2019-01-04T21:41:38.764ZSkype has been used in my department for communication with members of other outside organizations ranging from; interviews, consultations, collaborations, and simply checking in socially. Skype has been a great way to allow for face to face communication, especially for larger group conversations, when the people in communication are far away and in-person meetings might not work.,Skype allows for easy sorting of your contacts in a way that makes it easy to group people together and know who you need to contact.
Skype seems to work well across multiple platforms; PC, Mac, and even handheld devices can use Skype in a way that is beneficial to their organizations.
Skype allows you to evaluate and engage in conversation in a face to face way when person to person meetings would be hard to manage.,Skype has been around for a while and there are now a lot of other platforms that do the same thing; Google Hangout, Dischord, etc. Skype may need something that differentiates them from the pack.
Unlike cell service, because Skype is video heavy in the cases we use it, poor service and connection can often be a major complication. This is, however, an issue for any video conferencing software.,8,Skype has allowed us to communicate face to face with people quickly and easily without the cost of travel.
Sometimes Skype can be more of a hassle than helpful and a phone call could have easily handled the initial contact.,Google Hangouts,Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, SlackJeff Huisjen
Unspecified
Skype
1547 Ratings
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