Item: Skype
Rating: 8
Author: Kaleb-John Loo

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Skype is used to communicate within the office. Whether we require a simple quick instant message, a phone call, or a video call, Skype provides the means to reliably relay information. With Skype being installed on all of the computers and providing each employee with an account, it means that we can create an interoffice communication network when emails are not sufficient enough. Skype saves time by providing an instant connection between employees so that they can address any problem with a quick conversation.

Pros and Cons

Solid desktop application.
Good mobile application.
Array of features.
High-quality video and voice.

Configuration of Skype is particular.
If you have multiple input devices, it can be cumbersome to set up the correct one.
Sometimes it is not desired to launch Skype, but it is enabled by default. You have to change your settings to disable Skype.

Return on Investment

Skype improves interoffice communication, reducing the amount of wasted time that comes with a large number of emails.
Skype is intuitive and requires little overhead, making the implementation seamless.
Skype's high-quality video and audio make calls flow better with little dropped data.

Alternatives Considered

Google Hangouts

Skype offers more features than Google Hangouts provides. Skype is better suited to a business environment. It has more advanced chat features and integrates with more devices. Skype is also more private than Google Hangouts, which makes it more ideal. Skype also is built to handle large conference calls, which Google Hangouts is not. Skype has more customization options as well.

Support Rating

Skype provides a lot of good documentation on its feature set. A lot of the settings are intuitive and easy to use. It is a widely utilized program that has a ton of helpful articles online and if required, the Skype support team is more than willing to help solve issues with the application.

Key Insights

Do you think Skype delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Skype's feature set?

Yes

Did Skype live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Skype go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Skype again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365 Business, Perforce, Visual Studio IDE

Likelihood to Recommend

If everyone in the office utilizes Skype, it can be a great tool for office communication. However, when some employees only stick to email, it loses its effectiveness as the messages that you send are never received. Skype is also good if your customers or other businesses utilize it, but if not, then there is also little value there.

Great Video Conferencing and More

Overall Satisfaction with Skype