The only drawback is that other SFB functionalities like viewing a user’s presence or contact information are unavailable. The app also enables PC-based audio and video. The app allows for HD video conferencing, IM in meetings, presentation viewing, desktop sharing, whiteboard, lobby, and presenter access controls. When invited to a SFB meeting, non-SFB users have the ability to download the SFB Web App to their browser. Add your attendees, an agenda, and pick a time, and you are off to your next game of conference call bingo.įlexibility for including non-SFB users to your meetings and calls help SFB stand-out as a great tool for collaboration. Once installed, all you need to schedule a Skype meeting from Outlook is to make a new meeting, click on the SFB icon plug-in, and it auto populates your conference information in the body of the meeting. Invite the whole office, if you'd like! Some subscription levels allow up to 250 people in a conversation. You can also find a “+” icon on the upper right to expand this conversation to more people. More icons appear allowing you to make a call, share your screen, or send a file. Double click on your colleague’s icon and up comes the conversation window. Managers can check on the idle time of their employees as SFB shows a timestamp for how long someone has been away from their computer.įrom there go about your usual use case. Your contacts each have a picture, availability status, and video capability indication. It defaults to Contacts, which means most of the time you’ll be looking at your contact list when the app is open. These determine what you see in the body of the application. Below that sit four icons across the menu – Contacts, Conversations, Meetings, Settings. Your name falls at the top along with your picture, availability status (available, away, do not disturb, etc.), and a personal message for your contacts to see if you choose to write one. The application tucks toward the side of your screen, and goes for the tall and skinny look. Additional features build from that basic premise.
Last but not least, Microsoft has already announced that Teams will be replacing SFB and when sunset occurs, it isn't clear.Īt its core, SFB allows you to select another SFB user from a contact list and from there, start an instant message conversation, make a call (video if you have that capability), or share your screen.
It offers a variety of plan options at attractive prices, though making sense of that spider web proves difficult (see here). It seamlessly integrates with Outlook from where you can create Skype meetings and populate your contact list. Any business using the Microsoft ecosystem, particularly small businesses, should take a look at SFB. It serves as a lightweight collaboration tool. It’s an important distinction to make since SFB should not be viewed as a phone replacement or VOIP Service. Please note this is a separate product from Skype for consumers. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Lync, then you’re in luck – Lync was rebranded to Skype for Business in 2015, refining Lync’s core functionalities ever since. Skype for Business (SFB) is a business-focused app that allows you to instant message, phone and video call, screen share, host and record meetings, and generally collaborate with your colleagues.
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