Skype vs Skype for Business: What’s There to Know?
Did you know Skype for Business is totally different from Skype? Although they have the same ‘first name’, they actually have totally different features.
Some people, especially newcomers to the industry, often think both Skype and Skype for Business are the same thing at first. Generally, Skype for Business is more suitable for any kind of business, regardless of its size. Microsoft has been improving the current Skype for Business experience, and it has more innovative ideas in the works. It now provides business users with some special features that Skype does not.
In Malaysia, most of the companies use Skype for Business for its special features.
Now, what are the special features?
Differences between Skype and Skype for Business
Unlike Skype, Skype for Business offers a number of features and product advantages, but the three key distinctions that most small businesses will find most interesting are as follows:
- Administrator role with several authorization levels
In contrast to Skype, Skype for Business is specifically designed for companies. It is because this version includes an administrator role that lets them grant access to any functionality.
According to Jamie Stark, the product manager for Skype, Skype for Business allows salespeople to call international numbers, while basic Skype would not let them do it. He also added that the admin will be the one who has the control to give permission to do so.
Furthermore, the admin also has the ability to record calls on Skype. Stark told Small Business Trends, “One of the handy things is that you get this ability to role play.” Only the admin has the authority to grant access to and control over who can fast-forward and rewind the recorded discussion.
“What happens if someone leaves the company?” This is where the administrator plays their role. They can restrict someone’s access to the account, protecting the privacy of the company.
With Skype for Business, the admin can also know who else is using the program’s features by monitoring via Outlook. This way, they can ensure that the benefits of the licence are fully used, especially in the case of small businesses.
- More participants in conference calls and meetings
Skype limits its participants to only 25 people in a meeting or call at a time, whereas Skype for Business allows up to 250 people. Now, it is more convenient for one-to-many presentations like webinars.
On top of that, the meeting can be joined by people who are not on Skype for Business. With one click, anyone can join your online meeting, from any device.
- Enhanced Office 365 and Outlook integration
People can experience the free Outlook.com plugin with Skype, where they can get limited integration with it. This means one can converse or start a free Skype-to-Skype call through Outlook. On Outlook cards, they will have the ability to see a contact’s online status, contact details, and mood message.
Office 365, Microsoft’s cloud productivity suite, which contains the essential Office programmes like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel as well as email, cloud storage, and other collaboration capabilities, is more tightly linked with Skype for Business.
With this upgraded Skype, people may also track others’ availability, in case they’re busy, in a meeting or offline. Additionally, Skype for Business enables users to present papers, share screens, and authorise another person to remotely control their desktop from within.
What happened to Skype for Business now?
Skype for Business is undoubtedly useful, especially for companies in Malaysia since it is widely used here and for the special features themselves. Microsoft has terminated Skype for Business on July 31, 2021 and replaced it with Microsoft Teams. Everyone can still enjoy the benefits of this great communication plan, only in different ways. Guess what? Shinjiru is the premier provider for Office 365 whereby Microsoft Team is a key component of the Office 365 packages. So come on and subscribe to Microsoft 365 now. Click here to see the packages now!