What you need to know about Skype for Business. Installing Skype for Business Additional features of the new version of Skype for Business

We install “Skype for Business” from the Microsoft Office 365 cloud package. This application allows you to conduct video conferences over the Internet (Microsoft’s original name is Skype meeting)

Step-by-step instructions for installing and deploying the application with video example.

Let's watch the video and do the same!

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Check to see if you have received your Microsoft cloud login information. As part of the pilot project, I and each participant were provided with an email (login login) and password (it must be changed!). I have these:

2. In any browser where Internet pages open, type the address line:

portal.office.com

At this address we get to the Microsoft Office 365 cloud login page, where you need to enter the provided login and password. ATTENTION! This address needs to be remembered, it is the main entry point to the MS Office 365 cloud and is used for all applications with access via the web interface.

3. Enter your login and password, that is, the issued email address (upper and lowercase letters do not differ, you can write the entire address in small letters) and password. Uncheck the box next to “Keep logged in”, as in the figure below.

4. IMPORTANT!!! If an error occurs when entering your login and password, check whether the credentials are entered correctly. The password must repeat uppercase letters in uppercase, lowercase letters in lowercase, and numbers in numbers. Character to character. Check to see if there is an invisible gap. Also check the input language and whether the CapsLock key is pressed.

5. The main page for working in MS Office 365 will open. It looks like this:

6. In the upper right corner, uncheck “Make Bing a search engine” and “Make MSN your home page” by clicking on the small squares:

7. In the same place, under the big red “Install now” button, select the link line “Other settings”. A new window will open with a new menu in which we select “Skype for Business”, as in the figure below:

On this page we check and set the correct data: language - Russian, version - version of the Windows operating system (either 64-bit or 32-bit). When choosing the operating system version, do not be afraid to make a mistake; when installing Skype for Business, your version will be automatically checked, and if it does not match the specified one, an error message will appear. In this case, simply choose another option. CLICK “INSTALL”.

9. IMPORTANT!!! The download is approximately 500 MB. If the Internet is connected with payment for traffic (number of bytes), check the availability of the required amount, and also check the availability of free space on the computer.

When downloading the installation file to my computer, my security system was outraged (see the picture below, a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark at the bottom of the screen), I had to confirm saving the file and launching it.

Microsoft itself provides instructions for further installation: launch the downloaded file (Run), confirm the operation (“Yes” to the security system), wait a long time for downloading and installing the application. You see these instructions in a window with a red heading “Only a few steps left...”.

10. Run the downloaded installation (installation) file, confirm the launch of the security system (click “Yes” or “Run”) and enjoy the installation, it took me about 20 minutes:

11. HOORAY! MS Office 365 “Skype for Business” application is installed!

Now you need to launch the application. The first launch requires some steps:

Launching Skype for Business, step 1. Find the installed application by name and launch it.

Launching Skype for Business, step 2. The application requires you to enter a phone number to activate, please do so.

Launching Skype for Business, step 3. You can use your existing account to sign in. Important: the credentials sent to you to the Microsoft cloud, as in the picture, are not suitable! An error message will be thrown, so just close the window.

Launching Skype for Business, step 4. The next window asks you to confirm your acceptance of the Microsoft license agreement. Click the "Accept" button:

Launching Skype for Business, step 5. A window will appear to log in to Skype for Business. This is where your data from point 1 will come in handy, first your email address and then your password:

Launching Skype for Business, step 6. I recommend allowing data collection in the “Help improve..” window by clicking the “Yes” button:

READY!

You have logged into Skype for Business, you can start using it, communicating with your colleagues, friends and video conferences.

Skype for Business is a new service from Microsoft for communicating with hundreds of people simultaneously in video mode; MSI - client. But don't be confused: Skype is a completely different program; the predecessor of Skype Business Edition is Microsoft Lync.

What it is

"Skype for Business" is an excellent solution for those who want to make an online conference with the participation of hundreds of people simultaneously. In addition, the distinctive features of this software product are:

• Maintaining corporate security.
• The interface known to everyone from the Skype program.
• Clear qualitative differences from Skype in the functions performed.
• Conducting conferences for 250 people.
• Ability to link to other programs from Office 365, for example, Outlook.
• When working with other applications, such as Excel or Power Point, you don't need to stop running either of them to chat on Skype. The same applies to sharing your screen and the operation of these programs during a video call.

Read more about the benefits

Safety

Skype for Business has a number of significant advantages, one of the most important is security. What is Microsoft doing to ensure the security of its users, namely those who purchased Microsoft Skype for Business? Judging by the descriptions of this software product, everything is possible.

During communication between any allowed number of participants, all information coming from each party is encrypted. For this, so-called AES encryption is used. In addition, strong user authentication methods make it possible to further secure all participants.

Conference

The capabilities of the Skype for Business program have been expanded in the area of ​​mass production of simultaneous multilateral online broadcasts. In this version (unlike classic Skype, which is radically different and distributed free of charge), you can invite up to two hundred and fifty people to a video conference. This is very convenient both for individual organizations conducting online negotiations over the Internet, and for large corporations that hold intra-organizational meetings with a large number of participants.

This software contains new functions. For example, “Skype Room Systems” is needed to use a variety of equipment that helps achieve certain goals of such communication, that is, it helps to combine many devices (including equipment from Polycom) into one special messenger.

If you need an online digital whiteboard, you can use the Microsoft Surface Hub for this purpose - another example of a useful new feature available in this software product. Skype for Business is also used where it is necessary to use PBX systems for corporations and other VOIP phone users.

Cost of a special program

The cost fluctuates depending on the exchange rate of the dollar versus the ruble. It turns out on average about one hundred Russian rubles per month for each user (this is an approximate price, in dollar equivalent it is two units). For example, the first plan, called “Online 1,” has this price. The second proposed tariff plan contains more services, the difference in price is significant - 2.7 times more expensive. But clarity and high quality of communication are guaranteed!

Convenient distance

If your employees are located outside the centralized office, you will not need to pay rent, because communication and negotiations will be carried out online, much like in Skype, only with a larger number of participants. In addition, you will not need to pay for the labor of technical personnel maintaining equipment and software, and you can also search for your remote workers for negotiations through Outlook mail.

How to download and install?

To use the Microsoft Skype for Business program, you need to download the file from the official Microsoft website in your portal (this is possible if your company uses the Office 365 package and the programs included in it; in particular, you must first check the licensing, that is, the availability of the purchased license for this software product). An alternative download option, like Torrent, can only be used when downloading a file from an unofficial source.

Installation and configuration is carried out as follows:

1.Go to the website https://portal.office.com/ in your browser.

2.Go to the “Office 365” section.

3.At the top of the page, find the image of a small gear. These are the settings. Enter them.

4.You will see the settings page. In the Software section, select Install and manage software.

5.If there is a “Skype for Business” link on the next page, click on it and, having selected Russian, click the “Install” button; if you see a page that lists the products included in the “office” package, and if the one you are looking for is among them, then you need to click the “Install” button, and all programs from this package will be installed on your computer, including “Skype for Business” "

If this program is not included in your package, you need to open access to it (purchase it). To do this, you need to contact Office product support at this address: https://support.office.com/home/contact.

7.After the process of saving the file is completed, find it (it is called “setupskypeforbusinessentryretail.exe”), double-click it and click “Run”.

If the installation is accidentally interrupted, use the downloaded file again to resume it.

8.When the program is installed, you will see a message on the monitor screen stating that the Office installer has completed its work. Launch the application by double clicking.

9.When a window with the text of the license agreement appears on the screen, read it and click “Accept.” This way you can install the program on four more computers.

If necessary, you should use the program without installation, which can be accessed through the Web App browser.

A large number of enterprises and corporations have already tried out Skype for Business, which is so easy to download and configure and, if necessary, delete. For communication in conference mode, it is also convenient to use the Android version.

Skype for Business first launch screen

You can only log in to Skype for Business using corporate accounts.

Interface

The Skype for Business client interface cannot be called absolutely identical to the home Skype interface, however, the main controls, main dialogs, and icons were borrowed from it. In particular, the blue color scheme, rounded design of icons and presence statuses, design of the chat window and messages, and animated emoticons have migrated from Skype.

In addition to the color scheme, Skype for Business borrowed many other interface elements from home Skype

Functionality

Key innovations

• Possibility of integration with conventional video conferencing systems, implemented using a separate component - Video Interoperability Server (VIS). It functions as a video gateway between the videoconferencing system and Skype for Business and allows you to establish communication with 16 end devices. At the initial stage, the ability to call Skype for Business from Cisco devices was implemented, but Microsoft is working to expand this capability to devices from other manufacturers;
• Use of SILK - a codec borrowed from home Skype, providing resistance to networks with insufficient bandwidth;
• Call via Work feature, which allows you to call a Skype for Business user from one device and continue the conversation on a landline or mobile phone. However, you can continue to exchange messages in the Skype for Business chat window. Previously, this feature was only available in Lync mobile clients, but now it is available in the desktop version;
• The Skype Meeting Broadcast feature allows you to broadcast meetings in Skype for Business over the Internet for an audience of up to 10,000 people with the ability to connect to the meeting in a browser from any device. This feature should become available with the fall Skype for Business update;
• Support for software-defined networking (SDN) technology;
• For Office 365 users - the ability to use the existing server infrastructure to connect to the company's telephony and access a landline. This feature should also become available in the fall;
• Development of mobile clients: aligning them with functionality that previously took place due to existing limitations in various platforms;
• Ability to evaluate voice and video quality after a call to Skype for Business;
• Possibility to upgrade from Lync 2013 server to Skype for Business 2015;
• Support for Always On technology implemented in SQL Server 2014. It is designed to provide high availability and disaster recovery.

It is important to note that Skype for Business functionality is not fixed and will be updated with new features as updates are released, released on average once a quarter.

Contacts in Skype for Business

In Skype for Business, unlike Skype for Home, the user can only see contacts of people registered in the Microsoft Active Directory single directory service. This way, you can be sure that the person you are communicating with is exactly who they say they are. Using a common directory also allows you to implement a flexible search for contacts within an organization: you can search for them by name, phone number, position, etc. At the same time, the user's contacts from Outlook are also included in the search.

User photos displayed in contacts are stored centrally in a common directory. By clicking on a contact's photo in the Skype for Business window, you can immediately see a list of options for interacting with him: sending a text message, calling a computer or a regular phone number, sending an email, video call, message to voicemail.

Display your contact list in Skype for Business

Communication is not limited to employees of one company: if the security service allows, you can add employees of friendly companies who use Skype for Business or previous versions of Lync to your contact list and communicate with them as internal colleagues.

In Skype for Business, you can also communicate with regular Skype users if security allows it. At the same time, the Skype for Business user cannot be found by name in the general directory of home Skype contacts: you must at least know his email address.

One of the important features of Skype for Business is the ability to set presence status, which allows you to determine whether a contact can currently communicate and, if so, how. The status can be set manually - for example, “busy” or “do not disturb”. In the case of the latter, only selected colleagues for whom an increased level of trust has been established can be disturbed by a call or message. Do not disturb mode can also be turned on automatically, for example, if the user starts showing a PowerPoint presentation on the computer.

Contact card

At the same time, the status also displays the reason why the user cannot be disturbed at the moment: for example, whether he is on the phone or is in a meeting. If you have the necessary access rights, you can also see where the contact is and in which meeting. It is also possible to set an alert when the user's status changes and he becomes available for communication. For Skype home users, detailed information about the Skype for Business user status is not displayed.

Audio, video and conferencing capabilities

From Skype for Business you can make voice calls to both the client and a regular phone, as well as establish a video call. If you have good communication channels and a good camera, you can get video quality up to Full HD both when communicating point-to-point and in conference mode.

After completing a call or video session in Skype for Business, you can evaluate the quality of audio and video

One of the “tricks” of “Skype for Business” in terms of video is the presence of a mirror function in it: before connecting with the interlocutor during a video call, you can open a video preview to make sure that everything is in order with your own appearance and you are not ashamed to show yourself.

Skype for Business provides opportunities for organizing online conferences with the possibility of simultaneous participation of up to 250 users without additional investment. With dedicated servers, it is possible to connect up to a thousand people to a conference.

Skype for Business meeting

A new Skype Meeting Broadcast feature should also become available to users in the near future. It will allow you to organize broadcasts from Skype for Business on the Internet for an audience of up to 10,000 people who will be able to join the virtual meeting in a browser from any device. The recording of the broadcast is automatically saved in the Microsoft cloud, where it will be available for downloading.

The conference window in Skype for Business can display up to 6 “live” video images of active participants, and the remaining participants are displayed there, represented by photographs. If a person starts talking, the photograph turns into a video and vice versa - the video becomes a photograph if the person stops talking. If one of the participants wants to see his colleague participating in the conference, regardless of whether he is silent or speaking, just click on his photo.

A virtual meeting invitation can be created in Outlook. It will contain all the necessary information to connect the participant, including through the web client. You can set a reminder for participants about the start time of the conference. An invitation can be sent not only to company employees, but also to third-party users who do not have Skype for Business installed.

One of the interesting features of the conference mode is the ability to mute the microphones of all participants in one click and unmute individual ones when someone is speaking. This can be useful if someone in a meeting is in a noisy environment, as this will prevent background noise from being heard by everyone else.

PowerPoint presentations can be shown during the conference. Moreover, each participant can scroll forward and backward through the presentation on their device while the narrator is speaking, viewing other slides.

Share a presentation during an online meeting

One of the functions of presentation mode is voting. You can create a questionnaire right during the conference and present it to participants. Another interesting feature is the ability to take notes during a meeting via One Note, which can be sent to participants after the meeting.

Safety

All communication sessions in Skype for Business are protected using authentication and encryption algorithms. When installing the program, by default all functions related to mobile devices, external access, conference organizing capabilities, etc. are disabled. “Skype for Business” is an initially closed product on the internal network, which can later be allowed using various security policies. connecting external devices and users.

The addition of third-party contacts to the user's list can be controlled by the security service. You can configure requests to add contacts to the list through a special form sent to the security service. At the same time, due to the built-in monitoring tools, the latter can track what information the user exchanges with these contacts. Skype for Business allows you to save all correspondence and video conference recordings in archives, and the security service can subsequently scan the recordings using keywords.

Security policy settings also allow you to limit possible types of communications in Skype for Business with users who are not company employees: for example, ban video calls with individual contacts.

The material was prepared with the support of the Russian representative office of Microsoft.

Skype Manager is a corporate control panel that allows you to centrally create Skype accounts, pay your users' bills, and give them access to various features.

2015. Microsoft launched Skype for Business

Microsoft has officially started selling Skype for Business - this is the new name for the Lync corporate communications system (and even earlier it was called Microsoft Office Communications Server). Not only the name has changed, but also the philosophy. Unlike Lync, the new solution provides business users with the familiar Skype interface, but with the security and administration options necessary for business (message encryption, authorization through Active Directory, user control panel, integration with office PBXs). And of course, now employees will be able to chat, audio and video not only among themselves, but also with any of the 300 million Skype users. Both the local version of Skype for Business (which can be installed on your own server) and the online version of Skype for Business Online, which is included in Office 365, are already available. ***

2010. Skype Connect is officially available

Skype Connect (the new name for Skype for SIP) has exited the beta status it has been in since its launch last year. Skype Connect allows you to connect a corporate IP PBX to the Skype network. Thus, employees have the opportunity to use regular office phones to make outgoing calls via IP telephony at low Skype rates. In addition, the company can receive incoming calls from Skype users and process them using its IP PBX (including distributing them among employees who use regular phones). You can also place a Skype “Click to Call” button on your website to handle calls from the website in the same way. Skype Connect can be connected in the Skype Manager control panel, which is also used for centralized payment for Skype in the company. Skype Connect costs €4.95 per channel (+ regular Skype call rates). One channel can only make one incoming or outgoing call at a time.

2010. Skype is preparing new products for business

Today Skype filed an application for an initial public offering on the stock exchange. The company plans to attract $100 million in investments. Along with the application, Skype published some indicators of its business and talked about plans for its further development. It turned out that the company was doing quite well. In the first 6 months of 2010, Skype earned $406 million, which is about 25% more than last year. However, given that Skype's user base already numbers more than 560 million (this is more than Facebook), the company's management justifiably wants to earn at least an order of magnitude more.

In addition, they are concerned that almost 90% of Skype's revenue comes from a single service - SkypeOut. Therefore, one of the main goals of attracting investment in companies is the creation of new paid business applications. ***

2010. Skype Business Control Panel has become Skype Manager

The online control panel for business users Skype Business Control Panel has received new functionality and a new name - Skype Manager. Using Skype Manager, company administrators can create accounts for employees, manage them, enable or disable certain functions, create voice mailboxes, set tariff plans and pay the general bill. In addition, administrators can monitor Skype usage by employees in real time (by department, by group, individually, and by company as a whole). Among other things, the solution can also be used to configure Skype for SIP. Skype Manager is available as a free trial until the end of October 2010.

2009. AllVoip presents Skype gateway for corporate users

AllVoip presents the AV6104GSM VoIP gateway for small and medium-sized businesses. The PBX and Skype converter gives corporate users access to all the benefits of using the Skype service. AllVoip AV6104GSM - PBX and Skype converter with GSM support connects regular office phones to the Skype network, which allows you to contact all Skype users in the world for free, as well as call PSTN and GSM network subscribers at the low cost of the SkypeOut tariff. The converter allows you to use Skype, FXO, FXS, GSM, CDMA, as well as an interface router. AV6104GSM users can manage 4 Skype lines from one computer. The converter opens up the possibility of multi-user conference calls. The converter is equipped with a fully functional network administration system. The system records all information exchange operations and provides the system administrator with a complete connection history report.

2007. Skype attracts small businesses with new service package

Skype offers a new Small Business Pack for small businesses, which includes the Skype suite of programs (Skype Pro, Skype for Windows Business Edition) and a subscription to telephone services for several enterprise users at once. The Small Business Pack costs €99 (plus VAT). A specific benefit of Skype Pro is free local and long distance phone calls within the customer's home country for all employees using it. The software has a control panel that allows you to assign each user your own limit on the use of funds, thereby providing complete control over telephone expenses. However, despite the attractive features, it is not clear that small businesses will trust Skype unconditionally after the recent major outage of Skype services.

2007. Corporate Skype

Skype has begun testing a version of its Internet telephony service aimed at large enterprises, and is inviting companies with more than 1,000 employees to participate in the preview program. As Skype notes, its service in its current form is already used in small and medium-sized enterprises, especially after the release at the end of last year of Skype 3.0 with functions that provide the system administrator with the ability to control the use of the service on the network. A message about the preparation of an enterprise-level version of Skype, instead of posting it on the company’s official website, was sent by the company to a number of owners of online diaries

2007. Skype has come up with features for corporate workers

Skype has announced the release of a business version of the Skype for Business service. As reported in a press release published on the company's website, Skype can now be installed on multiple computers using the Windows Installer, and administrators have access to more advanced options when setting up the program. Separate items include “credits” allocated to users for conversations with “external” subscribers (SkypeOut). In addition, Skype for Business includes so-called Extras, which include video conferencing and the ability to organize a call center.

2006. Skype 3.0 for Windows – corporate version

On the day of the release of the first public beta version of Skype 3.0 for Windows, an alternative assembly appeared on the developers’ website, intended primarily for corporate users - Skype 3.0 for Windows Business version. The main purpose of this version is to provide enterprise system administrators with greater opportunities to control and manage Skype clients on the corporate network. To achieve greater security when using Skype, IT Administrators will be able to centrally configure settings for the entire Skype network of an enterprise using Windows Group Policies. Skype client security policies can be set using a single configuration file - Skype Group Policies Administrative Template (example). The Skype 3.0 for Windows Business version distribution is presented as an MSI file.

Skype for Business: for important matters

Skype is preparing VoIP for business

The new software modification will allow system administrators to use standard Windows management tools to determine how Skype connects to the Internet, or disable half a dozen software features, including file transfers. The use of Skype in business is widespread. Of the 113 million registered Skype users, 30% use it for business. However, the proprietary communication protocols used by the Skype communication system have increased enterprise concerns about network security. Theoretically, it was possible to use Skype as a transport for transmitting unwanted software. Together with experts from Intel, Skype has developed the ability, like a proxy server, to disable network access from the Skype software if a security problem is identified.

2006. Skype wants to go corporate

The company's "wish list" for further expansion into the enterprise market, released Wednesday, included policy-based enterprise authentication. Automatic authentication based on PKI (public key infrastructure) does not allow the second party to determine who exactly is using the terminal at the moment. Companies will be offered a mechanism for creating access policies, with the ability to create accounts for each employee. “If you have 200 people in a department, managers want to be able to add people to the access list when they hire and remove them when they leave. These are the features that large companies need. Skype is currently not suitable for large business use." Among other technologies that will solve the problem, support for LDAP - "lightweight directory access protocol" - in Skype software is being considered. The protocol will connect the software terminal with other applications.

2006. Skype promises to expand its business services

Skype plans to offer new business opportunities. But this will not be a new VoIP product, but an expansion of the existing service. Skype already has a number of features for business customers, such as the ability for multiple users to use one account to pay for Skype services. In addition, the company cooperates with equipment manufacturers such as telephone headset supplier Plantronics. Approximately 30% of Skype customers use its business services. First of all, issues of data protection and software support on portable devices will be worked out for such users. Skype is becoming increasingly useful for business customers looking to reduce their mobile phone costs. Skype software already runs on Windows Mobile and is currently being developed for Symbian.

2006. Skype for Business

Skype has announced the release of Skype for Business. The new solution is addressed to very small companies with fewer than 10 employees; according to Skype, they make up approximately half of the network’s business subscribers. The solution complements the company's existing business offerings in three areas. First, a special Skype.biz Web site dedicated to Skype for Business has been created. Secondly, the list of proposed subscriber equipment includes new Voyager 510 headsets from Plantronics, which operate via the Bluetooth interface and allow you to switch from an Internet phone to a cell phone and back. Other products offered include the Actiontec Vosky Exchange gateway, which allows up to four Skype calls to be received on an office PBX; Linksys wireless Internet phone, adapted to work with Skype; Polycom's Computer Calling Kit for connecting Polycom SoundStation2T and SoundStation2WT (wireless) conferencing systems to an Internet telephone network; High quality USB Internet Speakerphone from USRobotics.

Some time ago, Microsoft launched the Skype for Business service, which replaced Microsoft Lync. Skype for Business combines the familiar interface and way of working of Skype with the signature enterprise security, interoperability, and control of Microsoft Lync.

However, despite the similarities, Skype and Skype for Business are practically different applications that require separate accounts, but at first the name of the new service misled many users who thought of it as an updated version of Skype.

Now everything has fallen into place, but if you are still confused and not sure what the similarities and differences between Skype and Skype for Business are, then the information in this post will be useful to you. After reading, you'll know everything you need to know about Skype for Business.

Ability to conduct conversations between hundreds of people simultaneously

The standard Skype client currently limits conferences to 25 people. Skype for Business raises this limit to 250, making it much more suitable for large-scale presentations. Participants in Skype or Skype for Business meetings do not need to join using the Skype client; they can do so from a landline or mobile phone, but there is an additional cost.

Seamless integration with Office applications

Skype for Business integrates directly into Microsoft Office 365. Essentially, this means that the user can use Outlook directly with chat, video calls, conference calls, and many other features that Skype for Business offers. For example, you can simply click on a contact to start a conversation with him or schedule a meeting. You can take advantage of this integration in other Office 365 applications. In particular, you can start a meeting and allow other users to see your screen without leaving PowerPoint or Excel.

Safety

All traffic through Skype (both Skype and Skype for Business) is encrypted using the AES algorithm. However, Skype for Business uses stronger authentication methods that provide more control over your account and access to it.

Conference hall

In cases where two remote offices want to communicate with each other via video, Skype for Business is a very good choice. The new Skype Room Systems feature allows Skype to be used with Polycom cameras, monitors and audio equipment, while the Microsoft Surface Hub can be used as an online digital whiteboard. Skype for Business also integrates with a number of enterprise-class PBX systems, providing a convenient way to communicate over VOIP phones.

Price

Skype is available for free, but Skype for Business is a paid service that has two main plans. The Online 1 plan will cost you RUB 100 per user per month (annual subscription), but it only covers basic features. In essence, Online 1 will give you very little compared to standard Skype. But you can get a lot more, including high-definition video in group conferences, the ability to join meetings via a web browser and desktop sharing, if you choose the Online 2 plan for 275 rubles per month.

Have a great day!