Using Skype in Business

For those who do not know, Skype is software that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet. Skype is technically a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service that is designed for free computer-to-computer communication to anywhere in the world over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service and to free-of-charge numbers are free, while calls to other landlines and mobile phones can be made for free. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.Skype was created by entrepreneurs Niklas Zennstrom, Janus Friis, and a team of software developers based in Tallinn, Estonia. The Skype Group has its headquarters in Luxembourg.

Skype has experienced rapid growth in popular usage since the launch of its services. It was acquired by eBay in September 2005 for $2.6 billion. Videoconferencing was introduced in January 2006 for the Windows and Mac OS X platform clients. Skype 2.0 for Linux, which was released on March 13, 2008, and features support for videoconferencing. Skype conferences currently support up to 25 people at a time, including the host.

Peter Parkes' article on using Skype for business is quite captivating. He writes, IBM Lotusphere 2009, we're previewing a new tie-up between Skype and IBM. Over the coming months, we'll be integrating Skype into IBM's new cloud services, LotusLive, making it quicker and easier for LotusLive users to collaborate online. If you're a LotusLive user, you'll be able to use Skype to make voice and video calls to your contacts by clicking their Skype names or phone numbers in LotusLive. Possible future features include the ability to import your Skype contacts into LotusLive to make getting in touch even easier.
Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, did an interview with Oprah via Skype rather than being on the set in Chicago.

Lewis and Hickey Architects brought Skype to their 40 strong London team. This firm now uses Skype for internal calls as well as phoning their clients. Instead of expensive land line calls to their Japanese client, for example, they use SkypeOut. Lewis and Hickey have saved 7.6% on their total phone bill over the last six months, and over the next 3 years plan to reduce their costs by 50% by using Skype. The Skype for Windows-Business Version makes it easier to deploy and manage Skype within larger business networks. This version uses the Windows Installer (commonly known as MSI), which makes it easier for your Windows network admin to deploy Skype and set Windows group policies on to multiple machines.

For us at NFi Studios, we use Skype with our client communication. We do not just deliver services & products, we create a relationship/partnership with our clients, so they feel free to contact us about questions, concerns, etc. So far so good, with our clients respecting our time, and us respecting theirs. We will continue to use Skype for project discussions, and feedback from clients.