Skype for Business (ранее Microsoft Lync)

2018: The termination of support for Windows 10 Mobile

On April 24, 2018 it became known of closing of corporate messengers of Microsoft for Windows 10 Mobile. The company recommends to users of these services, including Skype for Business, to pass to the competing mobile platforms. Read more here.

2017

Closing of the project

On September 25, 2017 Microsoft announced gradual closing of the Skype for Business project. Instead of it the company will develop Microsoft Teams service to increase competitive level in fight against Slack in the software market for joint work.

At  the Microsoft Ignite conference in Orlando (on September 25-29, 2017) the American company announced plans to replace Skype for Business with Microsoft Teams. Replacement will not happen suddenly, but Microsoft hopes that users of a packet of Microsoft Office 365 will begin to do quickly Teams by the high-priority customer of corporate communications instead of Skype for Business.

According to the statement of Microsoft, Teams becomes the main tool for all calls, video conferences and virtual meetings for the clients using Office 365 in a cloud.

The screenshot on which the Microsoft Teams window is represented

Over time Microsoft Teams  will succeed the acting client of Skype for Business … We consider that the vast majority of our customers will select Microsoft Teams as the center for team work — the corporate marketing vice president of Office 365  RON Markezich reported.

For those who are not going to transfer corporate interaction to a cloud Microsoft will offer the new version of Skype for Business Server in the second half of 2018. Also the company is going to update radically "quickly developing" Skype infrastructure for implementation of audio-and video functions of a corporate class in Microsoft Teams.

By estimates of analysts of IDC, the size of the market of software for joint work of staff of the companies grew by 13.6% from 2015 to 2016, and by 2021 rise to $22 billion Microsoft is expected remains the market leader with a 36.8 percent market share, but Slack grows in high gear and occupies about 5.3% of the market, gives Reuters data of IDC for the unnamed period.^[1]

Coming on the classical territory of Microsoft, Slack receives a part of the attractive market and some opportunities, – the founder of Hyperstop company which is engaged in IT consulting Johnny Won noted.

According to the executive vice president for investments of the AnalyzeWallStreet.com project Mary Hanzberg, Microsoft does big breakthrough in the market of technologies for joint work thanks to Teams. Any technology startup faces the competitive pressure similar to that which takes place from Stack, she noted.

By September, 2017 Microsoft Teams has 125 thousand clients, Slack has 50 thousand. The size of the user audience Skype for Business in Microsoft is not disclosed.

Earlier in 2017 the Spiceworks company polled IT specialists and drew a conclusion that Microsoft Teams will be in fast-growing demand in the organizations whereas penetration of Google Hangouts and Slack increases slightly. If this forecast is confirmed, then already by the end of 2018 Teams will become the second most popular working messenger after Skype for Business, and further and will come to the first position after final turning of Skype for Business.

Microsoft is going to throw the Skype for Business Online functions in Microsoft Teams, including cognitive services, possibilities of data analysis and speech recognition. Besides, in Teams support  of numbers  of public switched telephone networks (PSTN) and voice mail, a mini-audio conference for access to service from any phone and deep integration of Teams and Skype for Business will appear. All this should help Microsoft to accelerate transfer of the clients with Skype for Business on Microsoft Teams.^[2]

Skype of TX is used by 30% of the largest broadcasters of the world

Skype of TX is used by 30% (in total more than 1,200) largest broadcasters worldwide that makes a considerable share in the market, among them there are BBC, CNN, ESPN, Al Jazeera and others. The general duration of the calls organized by them was 20 million minutes.

Skype of TX gradually becomes the tool for remote communication with journalists, correspondents, experts, fans and stars. It is available on several platforms and considerably saves to TV channels time and money, it is not obligatory to send film crew to the place now. Participants are just connected to broadcastings in real time, using devices on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Xbox or other devices supporting Skype.

Thanks to this multiplatform solution carrying out calls which on the quality conform to requirements of channels became possible and are easily integrated into the program. As a result the production process of transfers requires less equipment and time that reduces the total cost and the area, necessary for production. The hardware-software solution Skype TX with industry standard sign-ins and exits — all this that is required for connection of the removed interlocutor to television broadcasting.

Skype of TX also offers new platforms and organizers of forward translations an easy way of professional management of calls. Thanks to the interface familiar to millions of users, this tool provides to professionals simple "turnkey" solution.

Calls on landline phones are Skype for Business Online

The international service provider Orange Business Services announced in April, 2017 start of the first in Russia completely managed service of telephony implemented in partnership with Audiocodes company for the organizations transferring unified communications to a cloud of Office 365. Now the corporate users of a packet of Microsoft Office 365 E5 working with a communication framework of Skype for Business Online can make calls not only to other subscribers of Skype, but also in a public telephone network in full accordance with the existing legislation of the Russian Federation.

Microsoft Office 365 is used by the companies worldwide as provides access to the most relevant office products of Microsoft on a subscription. Selected E5 rate also get access to the platform of telephony and unified communications of Skype for Business Online which allows employees to communicate with each other, to organize conferences and to transfer files on any device. Nevertheless, in communication by legislative restrictions, service of telephony cannot be provided without physical connection of the subscriber to network that does not allow users of Skype for Business Online to make calls on landline phone numbers.

Competences of the system integrator and the status of the telecom operator of the fixed telephony allow Orange to conduct independently installation of the solution and to provide reliable connection to network and termination of calls in the city of presence of the customer and also to provide a uniform point of support for all solution.

2016

In Skype the simultaneous interpreter appeared

Microsoft announced that its Skype Translator technology is integrated into Skype application for Windows now. Thanks to it users of Skype can use synchronous translation at voice communication or instant text messaging now. To begin to use Skype Translator, users of Skype for Windows need to click on the icon of the Globe in the application upper right corner^[3].

Synchronous translation of the speech is available to seven languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. The most demanded direction is the translation from French into English. Over time Microsoft promises to expand the list of supported languages.

Skype Translator is self-training technology, the quality of its work will increase as the user works with it. Skype Translator studies using different materials, including the translated web pages, video with subtitlings and texts. All materials are prepared and entered into a system in advance. After that machine learning technologies build a statistical model from words and the content of conversations. When the user says something, program algorithms execute search of similar expressions in a statistical model and apply earlier studied transformations from audio in the text and from the text in a foreign language. The translated phrase is said by a machine voice of Windows.

Skype for business of Cloud Connector Edition

Skype for business of Cloud Connector Edition simplifies connection of any existing telephone line to Cloud PBX in Office 365 when using one server and the minimum configuration. It will allow to manage calls of users from Office 365 while for phone calls the existing phone numbers, lines and contracts of communication service providers will still be used.

Skype for business of Cloud Connector Edition

Skype of business of Cloud Connector Edition is delivered by a set of virtual machines for local deployment and uses the same binary files, as the complete server, but it is completed only with those components which are necessary for cloud connection. Thus, while Edge Server manages connection to Office 365 and Mediation Server is connected to the following relaying SIP Peer, other components for registration and meetings are disconnected. Deployment results quicker, setup – is simpler, and control is exercised from a cloud.

As the same program components are used as the server, compatibility between Cloud Connector Edition and the existing telephone lines same, as from Skype for Server business. An extensive set of gateways, SBC, IP-PBX and IP-telefonii services are tested with Lync Server and Skype for business and the same infrastructure is supported. For telephone infrastructure which was not tested from Skype for business yet it is possible to use the gateway or the boundary controller of sessions from our partners, including AudioCodes and Sonus companies.

2015

The overview of opportunities from TAdviser

In September, 2015 TAdviser prepared the detailed overview of opportunities Skype for Business.

Skype for Business: the overview of opportunities from TAdviser

The announcement of Skype for Business for iOS and Android

On August 11, 2015 Microsoft announced versions Skype of for Business for mobile devices on platforms iOS and Android. Applications are on beta testing stages, however their entry into the commercial market not far off.

The preliminary version of Skype for Business for iOS and Android contains a control panel which, being the organization of process of communication created taking into account the maximum simplicity, displays the forthcoming meetings, the last calls and search string of contacts. During the presentations users will be able to watch content and video on one screen.

The application displays the forthcoming meetings, the last calls and search string of contacts

The applications interface is executed in style to which Microsoft adheres after the company was headed by Satya Nadella. Management of program functions is facilitated thanks to big virtual buttons.

At the time of the announcement of Skype for Business for iOS and Android these applications are not ready completely, however the companies can take part in their pilot tests. For this purpose IT administrators need to visit till August 17, 2015 the special website where they will be able to connect to the project up to eight employees of the organization (on four users of IOS - and Android devices).

Microsoft promises to release final versions of mobile applications of Skype for Business until the end of 2015. Users of the Lync 2013 programs for iOS and Android will get access to a new product as updating. The companies working with   Lync Server 2013, Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Online will be able to use Skype for Business.^[4]

The new services Skype for Business replacing corporate telephony

On July 1, 2015 Microsoft announced expansion of functionality Skype for Business. The innovations provided by the American corporation are designed to replace traditional corporate telephony with IP services.

The version of Skype for Business Technical Preview available to corporate subscribers of Office 365 received three new services, noteworthy:

Microsoft begins testing of new services Skype for business

• Skype Meeting Broadcast — allows to carry out large-scale video conferences and webinars in which about 10 thousand people can participate on the Internet. For connection to an action it is only enough to them to start the browser of the smartphone, the tablet or the personal computer. The preliminary version of this service integrated with Bing Pulse (for holding polls) and Yammer (for communication with participants), is available worldwide.

• PSTN Conferencing — serves in order that by means of the standard public telephone network (PTN) to connect to the Skype for Business conference of those people who for any reasons cannot go on-line. Also this service allows to add conferees by means of dialing. As of July 1, 2015 this function is available only in the USA. Its universal release is expected by the end of 2015.

• Cloud PBX with support of TSOP-calls. Thanks to this technology the client of Skype for Business learned to accept and make calls, using a normal telephone network and such functions usual for this purpose as deduction and redirection of a call. Service works at a cloud of Azure and is based on the voice technologies taken from Lync Server and Skype for Business Server. At first Cloud PBX will be tested by the American companies, and in the fall of 2015 it will be available to users worldwide.

By July 1, 2015 corporate subscribers of Office 365 can already test new services Skype for Business. So far Microsoft does not levy a payment for them. Quotations after start of final versions of products are not called.^[5]

Skype for Business is integrated with Genesys Customer Experience Platform

On May 14, 2015 it became known of integration of Skype for Business into the platform of Genesys company - Genesys Customer Experience Platform.

Consolidation of opportunities of Genesys for multichannel customer service and functionality of Skype for Business will help the companies to organize complex interaction with each of clients, to completely control communication process, saving the uniform history of interaction on all channels.

Announcement of conditions of migration on Skype for Business

On April 3, 2015 it became known of plans of Microsoft for start of Skype for Business - the product will leave on April 14, 2015^[6].

Since April 14, 2015 the corporate clients using Lync Online as a part of Office 365 ProPlus, Office 365 Business Premium or Office 2013, setting standard monthly updating of Office, will receive as a part of this updating of Skype for Business which will replace Microsoft Lync (earlier known as Office Communicator) the application as a part of the corporate version of Office for calls and web conferences.

The screen of a group call by means of Skype for Business, 2014

The customers using the solution Lync Server on own servers will not get the new application, they will remain with the desktop application of Lync. System administrators will be able to select date of transition to Skype for Business, having configured the date of receipt of updates.

Innovation of Skype for Business — the new interface of its desktop application which will replace the Lync interface. There were also some new features which in Lync were not.

The Skype for Business interface represents mix of the desktop application Skype and the Lync application. From Skype developers borrowed a color gamma, sounds, images, an emoticon, from Lync — structure of the contact list and controls (including, for example, Quick Actions panel, for a quick selection of actions with contact).

In some operation modes, in the Skype Meeting mode, for example, the arrangement of elements changed. Allegedly for bigger convenience.

There were new features — Call via Work and Call Monitor. The Call via Work function (it is available only when using Skype for Business Server 2015) allows set the subscriber number in Skype application of for Business, and then speaks with the interlocutor by means of stationary office phone, continuing interaction with it through Skype for Business (correspondence, sending files).

The Call Monitor function borrowed from Skype leaves a compact window at a conversation and an opportunity to switch between a window and a standard type of Skype for Business.

One more function - Rate My Call, gives the chance to the calling subscriber after the conversation to estimate quality of telephone connection. He can specify what was not pleasant to it.

From Skype the application borrowed registration and access to the complete base of subscribers of service numbering hundreds of millions of users.

There was a version of Skype for Business

On March 17, 2015 Microsoft announced release of the public version of Skype for Business. Software usage mode fact-finding, allows to seize the updated graphical interface and expanded functionality of a product^[7].

Skype for Business (Skype for business) is the new name of the product Microsoft Lync which last release took place in 2012. As a part of the solution the client application, a server part and web service. By April, 2015 the company promises to complete subquality work and to start it.

Representation of Skype for Business, 2015

After installation at the enterprise of a server part Microsoft Lync, solution allowed employees to exchange instant messages, to make video calls each other, to exchange files, to participate in group chats and video conferences. Integration into Skype allowed to exchange instant messages and to make voice calls any of 300 million users of Skype.

Screenshot of the program, 2015

In Skype for Business there were additional functions, the new graphical interface integrated the Lync elements and design of Skype application, there was an opportunity to make not only voice, but also video calls to users of Skype.

Skype for Business is integrated with Outlook, OneNote and other Microsoft Office applications. Function of exchange of notes of OneNote helps to create the digital notes connected with video conference and to exchange them within video conference of Skype for Business.

Integration with Word, Excel and PowerPoint — to separate an application window with other employee for joint work. At the same time the compact operation mode of the client application Skype for Business will allow to see on the screen at the same time both an application window, and the interlocutor.

To use new features the enterprises should not update the hardware as Skype for Business imposes system requirements, as Lync.

The overview of opportunities Skype for business is available in the separate article according to the link.

2014

IBS tested Microsoft Lync in the VDI environment

On December 11, 2014 the IBS company announced execution of the order of Microsoft company for testing of the client of the integrated communications of Microsoft Lync in the environment of virtual work places on the Parallels VDI platform.

The program of message exchange Lync is often used in the companies with big staff for communication in real time – using text messages, video and a voice communication. In the VDI environment on the basis of the solution Parallels VDI the client of Lync it is possible to use for communication of employees from the jobs as well as at normal workstations with Windows. The difference is that Lync, as well as other applications of the employee, will be started in a corporate private cloud where containers with Windows images of virtual work places are stored.

For decrease in load of the server and a communication channel of the organization, voice and video conference in corporate network Lync are established in the mode of "direct link" (peer-to-peer). When using in the environment of Parallels VDI virtual work places this mode reduces requirements to capacity of the channel between "a private cloud" and corporate office network. At the same time video and audiotraffic becomes isolated in corporate network, but is not sent to DPC of the organization. For support of direct link software – MS Lync VDI 2013 plugin is used additional.

To confirm compatibility of MS Lync and Lync VDI plugin with the Parallels VDI environment, the IBS company by request of Microsoft held joint testing of two solutions. For testing the client of Lync 2013, the Lync Server 2013 server, client jobs with Windows 8 and Lync VDI plugin were used. In workplaces clients of Parallels VDI are set.

Testing showed working capacity, both the solution in the environment of Parallels VDI, and the mode of direct link for video and audio connections. Video and audio at communication are reproduced without loss and distortions. Traffic of Lync does not load a communication channel of corporate network with DPC - solutions can be shared for creation of a working environment in the large and average organizations. The compatibility of technologies allows painless migration of MS Lync in infrastructure of virtual work places and to continue to use usual programs.

Renaming of Lync into Skype for Business

The Microsoft corporation made the decision on renaming of Lync service into Skype for business (Skype for Business) and on adding of a number of new features in it. The corporate vice president of Microsoft for Skype and Lync Gurdeep Pall reported about it in November, 2014 in the blog Skype.

As the representative of Microsoft notes, in Lync it is already possible to exchange instant messages and to make voice calls to users of Skype. New Skype for business will add a feature for video calls. Skype will become available to business in the first half of 2015. To users will be to update Lync Server to Skype for Business Server in the data centers enough. To users of Office 365 it will be simpler - Microsoft will carry out all updates on the party.

2013: The announcement of Skype of TX - the messenger for radio and television

In 2013 Skype of TX — the messenger which is specially intended for professional use on radio and television is started.

2010

Microsoft Lync Release Candidate

In September, 2010 Microsoft announced release of the version of Release Candidate of the telecommunication solution of fourth generation Microsoft® Lync™.

Earlier the product Microsoft Lync was known under the name of Office Communications Server '14' (Microsoft Office Communication Server 2007). Change of the name of the platform for the joint communications happened in connection with expansion of its functionality which combines in itself(himself) possibilities of connection with the necessary people and synchronization of all process of communication now. In English these two processes are designated by the words Link and Sync. Respectively, the name Microsoft Lync became derivative of these two words, having incorporated not only their morphology, but also and sense. Tasks which it is designed to execute Lync software actually do it by a core of a system of unified communications: functions of synchronization allow the employee to use different devices and for link establishment

Microsoft Lync turns interaction between people into this virtual communication as process of communication and joint work includes possibilities of holding video and audio conferences, exchange of applications and desktops, sending instant messages, Internet telephony, function of recognition of a voice and effect of presence. And thanks to integration of Microsoft Lync into office applications users can make all these actions directly from the usual programs installed on their computers. Besides, people can also select the device by means of which they will join joint work as the product Microsoft Lync perfectly provides a possibility of transfer of a call from the computer on the mobile phone without disconnection from a conversation.

Lync has additional opportunities which are not neither in telephony, nor in VIDEOCONFERENCING, is an integration with social networks. The product allows to obtain a part of information on the employee from profiles of social network. In particular, now for Lync interaction with MSN, Facebook and LinkedIn is organized, from the specified systems the Lync server can obtain the contact list, data on activity and the photo of the subscriber and also some other public data. While there are no Russian social networks in this list, however Lync supports API Outlook the Social Connector specification. Microsoft hopes, as the Russian social networks implement modules for integration with Outlook and Lync.

It should be noted that Lync is one of the first products of Microsoft optimized for a cloud computing architecture. It, in fact, consists of 14 roles of Windows Azure, each of which implements own functions. Nevertheless all roles, necessary for work of Lync services, can be installed on one physical server where they can effectively carry out tasks inherent in them.

For work of Lync the following components are necessary: the Windows Server operating system, the directory of users of the Active Directory and SQL Server (for the version of Enterprise). For support in Lync of voice mail, calendars and other email applications in corporate environment Exchange should be set, and for integration with corporate social environment it is possible to set SharePoint. In process of increase in number of users separate components of a system can be postponed for other servers which will integrate in a cloud. And this cloud will be compatible to the Windows platform of Azure which services can use in case of need.

Also inverse process when the company client begins with purchase of services of a cloud service of Lync Online is quite possible, and as required transfers separate components of a system to own cloud. Microsoft announced availability of Lync Online service including for the Russian users. This service is a part of a cloud service of Office 365 which the company is going to offer domestic clients in 2011. Thus, clients have the most various ways of implementation of Lync in the network.

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Notes