Item: Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Rating: 9
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Skype is being used across the organization globally for virtual meetings and collaboration. It is also used as the telephone system. It addresses the problem of holding meetings with people in different areas and with different suppliers/customers.

Pros and Cons

Skype is great for conference calls with large groups.
Skype does well with sharing presentations.
Skype also does well with integration into Microsoft Outlook by allowing to schedule meetings and send a link to the meeting conference.

The call quality for Skype could be improved. It is sometimes difficult to hear the person on the other end.
When sharing your desktop screen, there is lag. I would like to see a smoother quality.
Sometimes the Skype system randomly drops calls or refuses to connect and restarts the call.

Return on Investment

Skype allows for meetings with key players to take place quickly and virtually.
Skype allows for quicker and better communication between both suppliers and customers.
Skype also allows for easy collaboration to construct documents in real time.

Alternatives Considered

Cisco WebEx Room Series (formerly Cisco Spark Room Series)

WebEx seems to be more cumbersome than Skype and does not integrate as smoothly into Microsoft Outlook.

Other Software Used

Skype, Join.me, Zoom

Likelihood to Recommend

Skype is well suited in an environment when it is necessary to collaborate with multiple individuals in different areas. It would be less appropriate where clear presentations are needed. Sometimes it is difficult to read text over Skype.

Virtual Meetings

Overall Satisfaction with Skype for Business