Item: Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Rating: 8
Author: Andrew Breyen

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Skype for Business is available across our two campuses but mainly is only used by the IT Services department. We use Skype for Business to quickly and easily see who is in the office, message individuals and groups, and ask coworkers for help while we might be solving an issue out in the field.

Pros and Cons

IM
Tracking
Online Indicator

Lots of pop-ups
Can't send images from an iOS app
Sometimes annoying to use

Return on Investment

It helps us to communicate between IT Services teams
It helps me to communicate with my supervisor when I'm in the field fixing an issue
Helps me to send reminders to my supervisor

Alternatives Considered

Skype for Business is integrated into our existing Microsoft Office 365 installer, and because everyone on our campuses has a license for Office 365, every user can use it without any additional licensing. If a user wants to use it, they simply open it up and log in with their school-issued email.

Other Software Used

Bomgar Remote Support Software, Mitel MiCollab, Cherwell Service Management

Likelihood to Recommend

Skype for Business works well when everyone in the department or company has it open ALL the time. If the user does not have it open, then messages will not be sent as instant messages, thus defeating the purpose of Skype for Business. It also works well if you give employees iOS or other mobile devices, there is simply an app that works just like the computer client.

Handy with our existing O365 environment

Overall Satisfaction with Skype for Business