Item: Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Rating: 10
Author: Naushad Akhtar

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Skype for Business is being used as the primary online meeting tool right now. It is used across the organization and even with our outsourced IT. It is mainly used for online meetings and sometimes as a quick chat between colleagues. It addresses the need of physically present in a meeting.

Pros and Cons

Skype for Business is easy to use. It is flexible in the sense that if you have a mic and earphone then you can use them or else you can receive a call on your phone to be in a meeting.
You can watch another person's screen.
You can get control to do troubleshooting on other person's computer.

I don't know if Skype for Business can integrate with personal Skype which would give it more flexibility to use as then you can connect to individual users who don't have the business license.

Return on Investment

Skype for Business has a very positive impact on our business since it allows for having meetings without being present which increases productivity and flexibility.

Alternatives Considered

GoToMeeting and Cisco Webex Room Series (formerly Cisco Spark Room Series)

Skype for Business is more powerful yet easy to use. Has a better sound and picture quality. It does not need to be installed each time you get an invitation. You can use an external audio device or built-in devices. You can control another person's computer or give control of your computer for troubleshooting.

Other Software Used

Cisco Webex Room Series (formerly Cisco Spark Room Series), GoToMeeting

Likelihood to Recommend

It is well suited for meetings and presentations if you are not physically present. You can see who all are present in a meeting, can perform all the functions that you can do in a meeting room like raise hand, ask questions, show your screen, be a presenter or appoint other people as presenters. The application gives an option for which screen you want to show adding privacy.

Shrinking the World

Overall Satisfaction with Skype for Business (formerly Lync)