Partner Case Studies

Jingle Networks, operator of the 1-800-FREE411 directory assistance service has partnered with Skype to make their free directory service easily accessible to Skype users in the United States. The 1-800-FREE411 service will now give U.S. Skype users (using Skype 3.5 for Windows ) a free directory assistance service without the $2 to $3 fees typically charged by telephone carriers for regular 411 calls.

This is a great example of a partner who has integrated Skype in to their online service. Here is how it works:

1. U.S. Skype users can now add the business contact ‘Free411usa’ to their Skype contacts.

2. Users can then click on the contact to call 1-800-FREE411 from Skype and request a business, government, or residential listing in the U.S.

3. Upon receiving the phone number, users can select to receive a text message (a Skype Alert) with the phone number, which they can click-to-dial from Skype, and / or click to add to their contacts list.

4. They have also added a ‘click to call with Skype’ link to each of the listings on their website. So if a user searches for Pizza Hut in San Jose, they are presented with the number and a link that says call with Skype.

More information

• Read the Press Release
• Find out more about becoming an online partner with Skype

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Symantec and Skype have partnered to deliver PC security solutions to small office and home office Skype users for a secure PC environment. Skype users can benefit from a 30% discount on the Norton Internet Security and other Symantec Norton branded products at store: www.symantecstore.com/skype.

Symantec’s Norton Internet Security and Norton AntiVirus 2007 products, which are suitable for both home users and small offices, have been Skype Certified™. This confirms that Symantec’s Norton line of security products meet Skype’s strict standards for security, quality and usability.

Here is a novel example of how one online partner is integrating Skype functionality in to their offering.

Social dating website www.teamdating.com is now allowing members to show their Skype status to one another and communicate directly via Skype IM chat or Internet phone call.

Here’s how Teamdating.com has gone about integrating Skype:

1. They have added a field for members to ADD their Skype ID during the Sign-up process

2. They have given members the ability to download Skype during the Sign Up process

3. Once logged into the site, members can enter/edit/turn on/turn off their Skype online status straight from there Team Home page

4. All Teams can view other teams’ Skype online status, and then initiate Chat or Calls

5. They have added Skype to their “Get Social” list of preferred links, so again, for members that do not have Skype, they provide them access to download it from the site

If you have an online community website then this is a great example of how to partner with Skype to enhance your user’s experience and differentiate yourselves from the competition. For more information of how to do this, see the Online Parnters section of the Skype website.

By integrating Skype in to your website, you can also be listed in the Skype Extras Gallery

Here is an interesting promotion being run by one of our partners. If you buy a bunch of flowers from Fleurop-Interflora you will also receive a free Perfectel USB phone. More importantly, if you refer five friends and anyone one of them buys flowers, then all 5 friends and yourself will receive a voucher for 30 minutes of SkypeOut.

Just another example of how our partners are finding creative ways to spread the word about Skype.

Logitech have just announced a great new suite off Skype Certified products. The EasyCall™ Desktop, combines a mouse, headset and speakerphone with a Skype-specific keyboard. This is a fantastic example of how our partners are helping to enhance the Skype user experience.

As Skype moves more in to the mainstream market, we are looking for our hardware partners to design products that make it easier for non-techy users to make Skype calls. That is exactly what this product does. Having Skype integrated in to the keyboard means you can place a Skype at the press of a key. And the speaker and microphone provide the highest quality sound. Great work Logitech!

Check out this great example of a co-branded microsite by one of our hardware partners Motorola. As well as creating an innovative and attractive piece of Skype Certified hardware, the Mortorola H500 Bundle Wireless Internet Calling Kit, they have also done a great job with this interactive website.

There are six different user stories included and visitors can interact with the website as they scroll through. If you’re having a slow day at work, then I suggest you visit Pete’s page to have a cheeky game of space invaders. Or perhaps you fancy some virtual sushi? If so, you might prefer to visit Natasha.

Here is a great example of a creative, value added service which has been created by one of our partners using the Skype Voice Services Program

Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language services, and Voxeo have released a joint solution that makes it easier than ever for businesses and individuals to translate from English into more than 150 languages using an innovative mix of Internet calling technology and world-class personal interpreter services, the revolutionary service gives Skype users the ability to talk instantly to anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time, regardless of language.

Sainsbury’s announced last week that they will be the first retailer in Europe to sell Skype Credit vouchers. The e-vouchers will be available at more than 600 Sainsbury’s outlets around the UK. Skype certified hardware will also soon be available to buy in stores.

If you are interested in becoming a retail partner please let us know by completing the partner enquiry form .

We are very passionate about the benefits of Skype, and we love it when our partners are equally passionate. Here is a great example of how one of our hardware partners is really using Skype to the benefit of their customers. US Robotics have recently released an impressive range of Skype Certified hardware including the (ATA Analog Phone Adapter and this UFO looking speaker phone But as well as releasing innovative Skype Certified hardware they have also incorporated Skype in to their website to offer their customers the ability to call customer support for free using Skype directly from their main Customer Support Page

Thanks to Bill Campbell at Skype Journal for pointing this out.

So if you are looking to partner with Skype. First start by implementing Skype in to your current business practices. Use Skype for support calls if you want to offer that to your customers, but more importantly make sure you are using it internally or offering it as another contact option on your website. I know when I am looking at a list of companies or providers, I always go for the one with the Skype Me option. And I am sure other Skype users feel the same.