Skype for Business

Microsoft launched Skype Service for Businesses

Following CEO Satya Nadela’s, mobile first, mantra, Microsoft has launched Skype as a communication tool for Businesses. Once known as Lync, Skype for Business will offer not only low cost voice and video calls, but also feature such as content sharing, online meetings, better integration via regular updates.

In a blog post last week, Microsoft’s corporate VP for Skype Gurdeep Pall revealed changes for Microsoft Lync with a new name, a new user interface, and new features. In his blog, Pall said, “In the first half of 2015, the next version of Lync will become Skype for Business with a new client experience, new server release and updates to the service in Office 365.”

Our observations: Microsoft Lync continues to gain momentum — both as a partner with and a substitute for premise-based and hosted unified communications (UC) systems. For example, Lync integration is a “must have” for UC systems today. Microsoft’s move to further integrate Skype features and Skype’s user base means more Lync integration work ahead for UC suppliers.

Also read, Say goodbye Microsoft Lync, hello to Skype for Business

The new features also reveal that Microsoft is further embracing the need for business video collaboration, and that Microsoft is willing to recycle “consumer friendly” user interfaces for business. Both of these elements speak to the focus of Microsoft’s business UC strategy.

But “Skype for Business” also means Microsoft is becoming a bigger competitive threat to incumbent IP telephony and UC suppliers as it improves features and further integrates a communications platform that serves over 300 million users. That’s good news for UC users, but no doubt Skype for Business will raise the anxiety levels for other hosted and premise-based UC providers.