Skype For Business Has Arrived

For any business that currently uses Microsoft Lync video and Web conferencing platform, April 14th brings a changeover to Skype for Business. 

Redmond is rolling out the new Skype for Business client as part of its April monthly update for Office 2013 and Office 365 users worldwide. The rollout is expected to be complete by the end of May, at which point all businesses using Lync Online will be transitioned over to Skype for Business. 

"Skype for Business is based on the familiar Skype experience that more than 300 million people use every month to connect with friends and family," the Skype for Business team wrote in a blog post. "It is built right into Office, so features like presence, IM, voice and video calls, and online meetings are an integrated part of the Office experience." 

Benefits 

After your organisation is transitioned to Skype for Business, you and your users will benefit from: 

• Skype-inspired design With the same look and feel of the Skype client, your users will benefit from the same familiar user interface and ease of use with the new Skype for Business clients. 

• Global reach Voice and video connectivity to the entire Skype network. 

• Full Lync feature set Because Skype for Business builds on existing Lync features, no features or functionality will be lost. 

What to expect 

Everything Lync is becoming Skype for Business. 

• Lync 2013 clients are changing to Skype for Business clients. 

• Lync Web app is changing to Skype for Business web app. 

• Lync admin center is changing to Skype for Business admin center. 

• Lync Online is changing to Skype for Business Online. 

Frequently asked questions 

Q. What is Skype for Business? 

A. Skype for Business (formerly Microsoft Lync) is a communications and collaboration platform that brings together an experience inspired by Skype with enterprise-grade security, compliance and control. It offers features including presence, IM, voice and video calls, and online meetings. It is built right in to Microsoft Office, so initiating chats, calls and meetings is an integrated experience within Office. 

Q. Will Skype for Business automatically replace Lync Online for Office 365 customers? 

A. Yes. We will automatically update the Lync Online service to be Skype for Business Online, and all customers are expected to be transitioned by the end of May. 

Q. If I want more time to prepare for Skype for Business before upgrading, can I continue to use Lync? 

A. Yes. Administrators for current Lync Online or Lync Server customers can control when the updated experience is rolled out to their users. Visit this page to learn more about how to configure the Skype for Business client experience. 

Q. How can I learn more about the new client features? 

A. More information about the features available in the new Skype for Business client is available here.