Voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) technology has been changing business for years and it’s no wonder that Skype, Microsoft’s VOIP software, has come to the forefront of business technology. Skype is versatile, scalable, and can be customized for personal, small business and enterprise use. Skype is changing the way businesses communicate, collaborate and interact on a global scale.
Say Goodbye To Endless Emails
Sometimes we aren’t in an environment for voice or video calls and text is the best form of communication. Rather than wait for email responses and large chains of responders, instant messaging provides real time feedback and collaboration.
On top of the real time benefits, instant messages can be easily saved and reviewed later for note taking purposes. It also allows multiple people to contribute simultaneously without interruption. In the case that you do have to respond to an email, Microsoft Outlook has a Skype plugin that makes it easier than ever to fluently transition from text to voice to video.
Hold the Phone, Just Skype
Skype for business now features PSTN and PBX systems that can completely replace your telephones. You can use Skype to make and accept local, long distance, or even international calls at a fraction of the cost of a traditional landline. No more separate landlines. No more interrupted faxes. No more separate telephone bills. Get rid of the miles of wiring and the seemingly random telephone extensions.
It’s Good to Share
There’s no reason to limit yourself to telephone conferences, either. Skype can pair with Office 365 to provide real time co-authoring of documents and presentations. Where would modern business be without the PowerPoint? Some would say outdoors and actually having fun, but there’s no denying the effectiveness and value of a well-done presentation. Skype lets you present your ideas with the type of ease you would have in a boardroom – or on the beach.
Collaboration and co-authoring are great, but what if you just want to show someone your screen? Have you ever had to explain a technical process over the phone? I bet you wish you had screen sharing. We all learn best by being able to actually see what we need to do and this makes screen sharing one of the most revolutionary tools to teach or collaborate remotely.
Skype is perfect for screen sharing during presentations and even helping your grandmother set up her printer!
Education and Information Technology
Whiteboards have emerged as a popular tool for businesses to brainstorm and collaborate. Skype for Business allows users to take notes, draw, import images, and save whiteboard data for further development. When you combine this type of power with a mass audience, you can create amazing webinars that are limited only by your creativity.
Webinars are quickly gaining popularity as large classrooms that inform and educate. Skype for Business allows up to 10,000 attendees and you can choose who is invited, as well as when! For technical software or services, webinars are a chance to demonstrate usage and interact with a whole community in the process. Webinars can even be recorded and uploaded for future use. Saved webinars make great tutorial style content that can be viewed at a later date, and a great webinar can be a valuable resource for years!
For great webinar functionality, Skype is fluid and extensible with other software. Microsoft Azure technology allows playback control on a variety of devices. You can tune in on your browser or watch from your Skype mobile app.
Bing Pulse allows real time audience polling for feedback and collaboration during webinars. It also brings interactivity to the classroom that rivals the best in University education. You can also use Yammer to create an audience chat room for participants to discuss ideas or share information!
Logistics of Communication
What business doesn’t want to reduce cost while improving efficiency? Skype reduces time spent bouncing emails back and forth and helps to clearly communicate with a wider range of human expression than text alone. Instead of paper documents, long distance calls, or expensive video software, Skype sets the bar for cross platform functionality on phone, tablet or computer.
Windows, Mac, and Linux all have native clients for Skype, and it runs on all Android and IOS devices too. This means that you can be connected by voice, video, or instant message wherever you need to be! Skype has set the bar for cross platform functionality. It just works on everything, just like you expect it to.
Summary
Skype is flexible, dependable and easy to use for businesses of all sizes. Every business is different but every employee needs to be able to communicate effectively. Skype has an amazing list of capabilities and is really pushing the boundaries where technology meets human interaction and every business can benefit from clear, concise and personalized communication.
Do you have any questions about Skype? Do you need assistance with Skype? Please let us know in the comments or get in touch.
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