Item: Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Rating: 8
Author: Kyle Farago

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Skype for Business as most would expect - an internal instant messaging/video conferencing system since it is integrated with our existing Office 365 accounts. It allows for easy interoffice communication both "in house" and at our satellite offices/remote locations. It is installed on all machines as part of the Office 365 Suite, and most users have chosen to adopt its use as it is not mandatory to be signed in.

Pros and Cons

Integrated Video Messaging
Synchronizes with exchange servers
Ability to share screens with everyone in the conversation

There is no actual offline messaging system built in to Skype for Business, unlike regular Skype. Messages will now at least go into the user's missed conversations folder on their exchange mail account.
The mobile apps do not work too well and can cause serious message delays/non delivery

Return on Investment

Skype is integrated in our existing Office 365 subscription at no additional cost and thus [there is] no additional expense for other software for us.
Integrates with our Exchange account seamlessly, allowing meetings and other calendar events to be synced with Skype.
Allows everyone company wide to stay in communication.

Alternatives Considered

OpenFire and Lync

OpenFire being an open source messenger system has a lot of great features, and a lot of customizability. It even comes fairly 'ready out of the box' with little configuration needed to get it running. As of the last time I used it, though, it did not have exchange integration or anything like that which Skype has built in.
Lync is pretty much the younger brother to Skype for Business (it even still uses some of the same files and file names as Lync ), it just has the Skype look and general functionality combined with the Exchange integration of Lync.

Other Software Used

Bomgar Remote Support Software

Likelihood to Recommend

Skype for Business is suited best for what it says - business environments. Most specifically those that use an exchange system, otherwise I don't know of a way to add contacts as that feature isn't like the standard Skype in that you cannot just add a user by their ID that is non exchange. It does have the ability to search users from other exchange systems not connected to you, however, letting you chat with colleagues in other companies.

Skype, not just internew VoIP anymore.

Overall Satisfaction with Skype for Business