Product news

The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business has now been certified as interoperable with Skype for SIP.

If your organisation is already running a Cisco UC500, you can save money by directing your outbound calls to mobiles and landlines via Skype, and also receive inbound calls to your SIP-enabled PBX from Skype users.

We’re on a roll with the Skype for SIP beta programme, which has already announced interoperability with ShoreTel's unified communications (UC) system, SIPfoundry's sipXecs open source enterprise IP PBX unified communications solution and Nortel's Software Communication System (SCS). This is part of our effort to ensure that small and mid-sized businesses already running an IP PBX from one of the leading manufacturers can integrate Skype for SIP into their present communications solution.

For more information on Skype for SIP and to sign up for the Skype for SIP beta, please visit our business website. There's also a short video explaining how businesses can use Skype for SIP.

SIPfoundry's sipXecs open source enterprise IP PBX unified communications (UC) solution has now been certified as interoperable with Skype for SIP.

If your organisation is running a sipXecs IP PBX, you can save money by directing your outbound calls to mobiles and landlines via Skype, and also receive inbound calls to your SIP-enabled PBX from Skype users.

For more information on Skype for SIP and to sign up for the Skype for SIP beta, please visit our business website. There's also a short video explaining how businesses can use Skype for SIP.

This morning, Skype announced that ShoreTel has become the first OEM to secure interoperability between its Unified Communications (UC) system and Skype for SIP. This will allow roughly 11,000 Shoretel SIP enabled systems to register to try Skype for SIP in beta and to connect their UC system directly to Skype.

Skype for SIP allows businesses which have a SIP-enabled PBX to:

• Receive and manage inbound calls from more than 400 million registered Skype users worldwide at no additional cost to the Skype user through their existing PBX
• Also, when a business with the ShoreTel system places a Skype click-to-call button on their website, Skype users will be able to call that business directly for free
• Businesses may also complement their existing communications services and leverage Skype's very low rates by placing outbound calls to landlines and mobile phones worldwide via Skype for SIP
• Separately, businesses will be able to purchase Skype online numbers (aka SkypeIn) to enable callers to contact them from landlines and mobile phones. Skype online numbers are available in over 25 countries around the world
• ShoreTel users still enjoy the benefits of their ShoreTel UC system, including the use of the Call Manager application

For more information on Skype for SIP and to sign up for the Skype for SIP beta, please visit www.skypeforsip.com. There's also a short video explaining how businesses can use Skype for SIP.

Have you seen small presence icons while browsing the web lately? If so, then you have probably experienced the Skype name recognition feature in action. With that feature enabled you will be able to see if your friends are online on Skype even when you are not actively using Skype. For example you will see the Skype presence in Facebook as in this video:

We didn't build this feature just for Facebook, though! You will see it on any web-page where people's names appear. Of course it works well in Salesforce (another video) and other online CRM systems, as well as in webmail and other social networking sites. You will only presence next to the names of people who's full name exactly match the full name in Skype. We don't do magic at Skype yet, so we will not be able to match if the name used in Facebook and in Skype are different. We hope you will find this feature useful.

Today, Skype takes another step towards greater interoperability with the launch of the beta of Skype For SIP.

SIP is the leading voice over Internet protocol used in businesses telephony networks – there are millions of installations across the globe. According to IDC^†, 438,000 IP PBXes were shipped worldwide in 2008, so this represents a significant opportunity for Skype, and for small, medium and large businesses around the world.

What Skype For SIP can do for your business

With Skype For SIP, your business can:

• Receive and manage inbound calls from the 405 million Skype users worldwide on SIP-enabled PBX systems, connecting the company website to the PBX system using Skype click-to-call buttons
• Place calls via Skype to landlines and mobile phones worldwide from any connected SIP-enabled PBX, saving your business money with Skype’s low rates
• Purchase Skype online numbers to receive calls to the corporate PBX from landlines or mobile phones
• Manage Skype calls using your existing hardware and system applications such as call routing, conferencing, phone menus, voicemail and call recording and logging – no additional downloads or training are required

Skype For SIP is the perfect way to integrate Skype with your existing PBX, allowing the communications from your PBX to be complemented by Skype functionality.

The beta programme

The beta programme will allow Skype to test Skype For SIP in real-world environments and secure critical feedback from business users like you.

Registration for the Skype For SIP beta programme is now open. To participate in the beta program, your business will need to have an installed SIP based IP-PBX system as well as the technical competency to configure you own SIP-enabled PBX. The number of beta testers will be limited so that we can provide you with the appropriate level of support during the trial.

During the beta period, the Skype for Business team will be on hand to provide support and gather feedback, and we hope to be able to launch the full version of Skype For SIP later in 2009. During the beta programme, we’ll be able to provide support in English only, but we’ll announce our plans for other languages when Skype For SIP launches fully.

^† Source: IDC, Worldwide IP PBX and Desktop Hardware IP Phone Market Forecast, 2008-2012: Using the PBX as the Foundation of Unified Communications, Doc #210695, February 2008.

Today we have [announced]( http://about.skype.com/2008/04/skype_announces_unlimited_long.html) some new flat-rate [calling subscriptions]( http://www.skype.com/go/subscriptions) which provide great value calling to regular phones. The new subscriptions offer unlimited* calling to landlines in 34 countries as well as mobile phones in selected countries such as the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

Skype to Skype calls continue to be free and unlimited, but now you can also call landlines without having to worry about time or cost. The new subscriptions cover almost a third of the world’s population ([see a full list of countries](http://www.skype.com/go/subscriptions)). Depending on your location and calling destination, there are several subscription levels to choose from:

Continue reading "New flat-rate calling subscriptions from Skype are great for business" »

I'm pleased to announce some valuable new features have been added to the [Business Control Panel]( http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/features/controlpanel/)

In case you are not already aware, the [Business Control Panel]( http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/features/controlpanel/) is a free tool for managing Skype in your business. It is the easy way to purchase and manage [Skype Credit]( http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/allfeatures/skypecredit/) and [SkypeIn numbers]( http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/allfeatures/onlinenumber/) within your company. And now it also makes it easier for you to help set up the rest of your co-workers on Skype.

Based on feedback from our business community we have added the following features:

• Easily invite co-workers (using a company email list).


• Create a members directory so employees know who else belongs to the same company.


• View itemised call reports for your members.


• Purchase up to €1,000 of Skype Credit at once.


• Automatically top-up your Control Panel credit balance

Please read on to find out more about each of these....

Continue reading "New features added to the Business Control Panel" »

We’ve just [published the results](http://about.skype.com/2008/03/more_than_half_of_european_sme.html) of research commissioned by Skype, which looks at the behaviour and attitudes of European SME’s with regards to conference calling and video conferencing.

We have always felt that [video calls](http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/allfeatures/videocall/) and [conference calls](http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/allfeatures/conferencecall/) are great features for business users, but it was pleasing to hear it directly from the horse’s mouth. The businesses surveyed felt that the main benefits of these technologies include minimising travel, facilitating communication, improving communication and reducing costs. With video calling, the addition of non-verbal communication such as body language is also an important factor.

Many of the businesses surveyed who were not current users of video conferencing said they would be more likely to use it if it was better quality and not expensive. Again this was good to hear as Skype has been putting a lot of effort in to developing [High Quality Video](http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/allfeatures/videocall/#high-quality-video) which launched earlier this year and apart from the cost of a webcam and a broadband internet connection, Skype video calls are free.

I am happy to announce that it is now again possible to purchase online numbers in Germany and France. This service has been unavailable for some time, but now we have solved the technical complexities. With a SkypeIn online number, you can always be reached wherever you are. Why have a number that only rings the phone at your desk? Bring it with you instead - all over the world.

As many of you have already experienced, we have recently made some improvements to the Control Panel to help you further manage the use of Skype in your business. A lot of these features are a direct result of feedback from you – so keep on telling us what you want. We have more improvements underway during 2008 and hope that you enjoy using Skype in your business.

Here is a short list of the things we have updated.

• Allocation reporting: see allocations per group, person or administrator for each month.

• User-centric management: Click on a user and all available settings are shown for that user on one single page.

• Start screen to help new users get up and running

• Improved grouping functionality and credit allocation for large groups of people at the same time.

• Users can now detach themselves from the Control Panel on their MyAccount page.

• E-mail notifications: administrators are notified if credit is running low within the Control Panel and other events

• Show CLI settings for SkypeIn numbers allocated within the Control Panel. (Coming soon)

• Ability to re-invite users who have not yet accepted.

• …and other minor changes that will improve load times and usability.

A reminder to all businesses based within the EU - by entering your EU VAT number, your purchases are VAT exempt.

If you are a business user already using Skype Video calling, or indeed if you are thinking of using Video calling, then now is a good time to upgrade to the latest version of [Skype 3.6 for Windows](http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/business.html) which includes a key new business feature – High Quality Video.

What is High Quality Video?

In simple terms it means that video calling with Skype is now sharper, smoother and better. This means you can see more detail than ever before. With High Quality Video, the video window on Skype has grown to 640x480 pixels, delivering up to 30 frames per second.

What do you need to get High Quality Video?

To experience free High Quality Video, this is what both sides of the conversation will need:

• [Skype 3.6 for Windows]( http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/business.html)
  
• a Logitech webcam that has been optimized and certified for High Quality Video (the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks or the Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF (Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF in the U.S.)
  
• Logitech QuickCam software, version 11.5
  
• a dual-core PC
  
• a broadband internet connection (384 kbps and above).
  

For more, please see the [High Quality Video page](http://www.skype.com/intl/en/allfeatures/videocall/) on the Skype website.

Where to get the webcams

The three webcams are already available worldwide, in retail as well as the Skype web store. In Europe, the Skype shop has a [special offer](http://www.skype.com/go/shop.accessories.hqwebcam) for the webcams. The Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 or the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks will normally cost €99.99, but if you head for the Skype webstore, you’ll also get a free headset, free shipping, and SkypeOut credit worth up to three hours of calls to landlines and mobiles. In the US, Skype [offers]( http://us.accessories.skype.com/store/skype/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.11041900) a $20 rebate on either of these products ($99.99 before the rebate).

Why is video good for business?

If you use Skype at work or if you work from your home, free video calls will allow you to do more business face-to-face. You’ll build better relationships with clients and suppliers wherever they are in the world. You’ll save on travel (and do your bit for the environment, too) as you no longer have to leave your office to meet your contact ‘in person’.

Improve the bottom line at work

Kitting your office out with video conferencing technology can be very expensive, but not with Skype. With Skype you can easily set up a video connection between all your offices wherever they are in the world – and all your video calls will be free.

Plus, by providing staff with their own webcams, they can make free video calls from their desks to colleagues or contacts anywhere in the world for nothing.

The latest versions of Skype for both [Windows]( http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/business.html) and [Mac]( http://www.skype.com/download/skype/macosx/) include a key new business feature that many customers have been asking for. You can now transfer Skype calls simply and easily to other Skype contacts. Plus, if you’re a [Skype Pro]( http://www.skype.com/go/skypepro/) subscriber, you can transfer the call to a landline or mobile phone too.

If you receive calls on behalf of a colleague you can screen these calls by placing them on hold and then checking that your colleague is available before transferring.

See the [Call Transfer User Guide]( http://www.skype.com/help/guides/calltransfer/index.html) for more information on how to transfer Skype calls.

We’ve also introduced another new feature; auto-redial. Meaning if the number being called is busy, Skype can automatically redial it every two minutes, until the call is answered.

So make sure you have the [latest version of Skype]( http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/business.html) to take advantage of these new business features/

Everything a business needs to get started on Skype.

Is your business expanding? Save costs by purchasing the Small Business Pack for just €99 (excl. VAT) - total pack value €150.

What does it include?

• Skype for Windows (business version).


• €50 of Skype Credit.


• 10 five-month subscriptions to Skype Pro (worth €100) .


• Tips and tricks for using Skype for Business..

Where is it available?

The Small Business Pack can be purchased directly from the Skype website at [www.skype.com/shop](http://www.skype.com/shop) (in the Small Business section)

It is only available in the following 12 European countries: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the UK.

Reseller Opportunities

Resellers have the opportunity to purchase the Small Business Pack directly from Skype at a discounted rate (dependant on volumes). They can also sell additional vouchers when the customer needs to top up their account with Skype Credit.

To read more about the Reseller program go to [www.skype.com/go/resellers](http://www.skype.com/go/resellers) or send an email to [resellers@skype.com](mailto://resellers@skype.com)

We have just released some enhancements to the [Skype for Business Control Panel](http://www.skype.com/products/skypegroups/).

Key new features include:

* Improved usability with an updated interface
* Invite people from your Skype contact list to join, directly from the control panel
* Ability to remove pending users
* Control Panel managed SkypeIn numbers (see below for description)
* Ability to register blocks of sequential SkypeIn numbers for the company

Control Panel managed SkypeIn numbers

This is one of the main things business users have been asking for. In the past if you assigned a SkypeIn number to someone via the control panel, the service then lived on the individual’s account rather than the Control Panel account. Obviously this was not ideal for businesses. So we have fixed it…..

Any SkypeIn numbers purchased through the control panel now belong to the control panel. This means that if someone leaves the company, you can simply reassign their SkypeIn number to another employee. Please note; this only applies to the SkypeIn numbers purchased through the Control Panel. If the number was purchased through the user’s personal account, then the it belongs to them and it is not manageable through the Business Control Panel.

Sequential SkypeIn numbers for businesses

Another great new feature for business users is that you can now purchase blocks of sequential SkypeIn numbers for the company. These numbers can then be assigned or reassigned to different employees, creating a more professional image for the company e.g. employee a: XXX XXX 1234, employee b: XXX XXX 1235 etc.

You can purchase up to 33 sequential numbers per purchase (dependent on availability). SkypeIn numbers are currently available in the US, UK, France, Hong Kong, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Estonia, Australia, Brazil and Japan.

How to join

These changes are now live for all Control Panel users.

If you are not already using the control panel, you can [Sign up for Free](https://secure.skype.com/business/info/login.html?)

Or [Existing users can log-in](https://secure.skype.com/business/info/login.html)

The latest releases of [Skype 3.0 Beta for Windows]( http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/skype3beta.html) and [Skype 3.0 Beta for Windows – business version with MSI](http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/business.html) make Skype Enterprise Compatible and address one of the main concerns previously expressed by administrators of corporate and enterprise networks.

With this release of Skype, IT Administrators now have much greater control over the behaviour of Skype in a corporate network.

If you manage networks that support Skype users, read our updated [network administrator’s guide]( http://www.skype.com/security/guide-for-network-admins-30beta.pdf) It contains configuration and operational information relevant to IT managers and network administrators.

Continue reading "Enterprise Compatibility with Skype 3.0 Beta for Windows" »

With the latest beta release of Skype for Windows, we are for the first time offering a [Business version]( http://skype.com/download/skype/windows/business.html)

The business version of 3.0 Beta includes the same new features as the [standard Windows version]( http://share.skype.com/sites/en/2006/11/introducing_skype_30_beta_for.html), however it also includes some special business features for enterprise users, namely:

* Includes Windows Installer (commonly known as MSI).
* Increased security for business users.
* Easy deployment to multiple machines in your company.
* More control for IT administrators.

[DOWNLOAD Skype 3.0 Beta – Business version]( http://skype.com/download/skype/windows/business.html) to start taking advantages of these enterprise features.

Continue reading "Skype 3.0 Beta - Business version (with MSI)" »