What is the difference between Skype, and Skype for Business?
The Word Business…
All bad puns aside, how does skype compare against its big brother, Skype for Business (SfB)? In this article we dive into the differences and get to the truth of the matter.
The Basic features
Both Skype and Skype for Business (SfB) have the same features, but SFB has more capabilities and components. These basic features include:
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging is crucial for collaborative working at work, whether it be at home or in the office, and makes getting answers much faster. Especially faster than email (It’s called instant messaging for a reason!) After any business integrates instant messaging into their work, they wonder how they ever worked without it.
Voice Chat
Here at Ingenio, we often use voice chats for remote meetings. Whether this be with a supplier off site, or when one of us is working at home. We have microphones on our headset which is very easy to set up in skype.
Video Chats
If you have a webcam, you should take advantage of video chats. They make meetings much more personal as you are face to face with the attendees.
Screen Sharing
This is incredibly important for meetings. Instead of explaining a complicated document to a colleague, you can share your screen with them and walk them through it.
Conference Calls.
Dial-in conference invites are built into outlook for easy meeting setups.
What has SfB got that Skype hasn’t?
SfB encompasses all the same features: IM, Voice, Video, Screen Sharing, from any location.
Cloud PBX
Skype for Business is designed for simple management, with Cloud PBX (public exchange servers) allowing you to store and transfer data via the Internet as opposed to a computer or other hardware that the end-user owns. With Skype for Business, you are able to easily record and store any audio or video conversation history. You can also store instant messages for future reference in a separate email folder.
In order for a cloud PBX system to work, it requires an IP connection or Internet phone for the necessary Internet connection. From there, you can access it through a personalized account from any Internet-enabled device capable of running the Cloud PBX’s interface. Your cloud PBX service provider is in charge of storing and managing all the data, meaning that your calls are connected to their recipients via the Internet. Your service provides “redundancy,” which backs up all your data in the event they were to get lost or corrupted because your computer crashed.
Expanded Capability
Over the past decade, webinars have become quite popular, mainly due to the fact that they allow important meetings to be held without having to converge at the same location. It’s like having a video chat with your friends. Whereas Skype allows up to 25 participants, Skype for Business accommodates up to 250. Other nifty features include:
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- Skype Meeting Broadcast – broadcast meetings for up to 10,000 people in large webinars.
- PSTN Conference (or Dial-in conference) – allows attendees to join a meeting via landlines or cellphones.
On top of all that, Skype for Business is fully integrated with a host of other useful office applications. You have access to Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.), and you can share files with other participants throughout the meeting.
Enhanced Security Control
With Skype for Business, users have better security control through the authentication and encryption of private communications. So you have better access to guest accounts, and you can enable or disable certain call features to enhance communication.
Knowing which tools to utilize is vital to help you get the upper hand. By utilizing what’s best for you and your business, you won’t have to search for success; it’ll come looking for you instead. For any questions regarding Skype for Business and its functions, feel free to give us a call or send us a message. We’re more than happy to help you any way we can.
Telephone: 01273 806211
Email: [email protected]
