Skype for Business

Skype for Business is a premium instant messaging and video calling app developed by Microsoft Corporation that aims to serve the specific needs of businesses and large teams by incorporating features that are essential for their day to day operations, provide better communication experience, and a wide array of secondary features that can simplify the way large meetings are done and talking points are recorded for future use.



This application has a long history as it evolved using the experience of several companies and internal Microsoft divisions.

Before Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011, their default corporate web conferencing and chat application was Lync, but with the advent of more capable web streaming technologies, Microsoft switched its focus on Skype, and after integrating many Lync features, it debuted Skype For Business in 2013.

Four years later, Microsoft announced another shift in its roadmaps by introducing its new primary chat tool Microsoft Teams but has also confirmed that Skype for Business will remain in operation for many years and will continue to get extended support through at least 2025.

The core offering of Skype for Business still revolves around flawless Instant messaging, audio, and video calling, but the surrounding features are completely redesigned when compared to the regular home version of the Skype app.

Instead of simple handling of contacts, this app allows much deeper contact management and integration with other Microsoft apps and services, including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Office.

The app features built-in collaboration features for users who are concurrently working on Office files, Whiteboard documents, PowerPoint presentations, and more. Contacts (or just selected contacts) can be polled, files can be shared easily, and even desktop sharing is streamlined for simple use. There is even built-in support for Windows applications sharing.

Each collaborative session is transformed into a conference where new users can be added in seconds, with built-in tools for managing access rights, session policies, presenters, attendees, and more.

Today, Skype for Business can be accessed via a standalone application, or as a part of business subscription tiers of Office 365. The app is optimized for use on modern versions of Windows OS (especially Windows 10 and Windows 11), but it lacks the ability to be integrated with some earlier versions of Microsoft Office.

For the best productivity and collaboration experience, this app should be tied to Office 365 suite and other newer applications and services from Microsoft’s enterprise ecosystem.

Also Available: Download Skype for Business (Mac)