- For Skype for Business Server, Skype Meetings App (on Windows) and Skype for Business for Mac (on Mac) are available as replacements for Skype for Business Web App beginning with CU5, but providing the replacement apps requires the additional configuration described in Enable Skype Meetings App to replace Skype for Business Web App (Optional.
- Download Skype for Business across all your devices Connect with your team anywhere using clients across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android™, or bring remote participants into meeting spaces of all sizes with Skype for Business.
Skype for Business (SFB) is a business-focused app that allows you to instant message, phone and video call, screen share, host and record meetings, and generally collaborate with your colleagues. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Lync, then you’re in luck – Lync was rebranded to Skype for Business in 2015, refining Lync’s core functionalities ever since.
Please note this is a separate product from Skype for consumers. It’s an important distinction to make since SFB should not be viewed as a phone replacement or VOIP Service. It cannot make emergency phone calls. It serves as a lightweight collaboration tool. Any business using the Microsoft ecosystem, particularly small businesses, should take a look at SFB. It seamlessly integrates with Outlook from where you can create Skype meetings and populate your contact list. It offers a variety of plan options at attractive prices, though making sense of that spider web proves difficult (see here). Last but not least, Microsoft has already announced that Teams will be replacing SFB and when sunset occurs, it isn't clear.
Whether it is for business or just catching up with friends, Skype has been around since 2003. Thankfully, the process of setting up a Skype Meeting to Outlook is easy and doesn't require much time.
An enjoyable experience
Simplicity is its strength
Skype For Business Outlook Plugin Mac Download Free
At its core, SFB allows you to select another SFB user from a contact list and from there, start an instant message conversation, make a call (video if you have that capability), or share your screen. Additional features build from that basic premise.
Easy learning curve and intuitive UI
The application tucks toward the side of your screen, and goes for the tall and skinny look. Your name falls at the top along with your picture, availability status (available, away, do not disturb, etc.), and a personal message for your contacts to see if you choose to write one. Below that sit four icons across the menu – Contacts, Conversations, Meetings, Settings. These determine what you see in the body of the application. It defaults to Contacts, which means most of the time you’ll be looking at your contact list when the app is open. Your contacts each have a picture, availability status, and video capability indication. Managers can check on the idle time of their employees as SFB shows a timestamp for how long someone has been away from their computer.
From there go about your usual use case. Double click on your colleague’s icon and up comes the conversation window. More icons appear allowing you to make a call, share your screen, or send a file. You can also find a “+” icon on the upper right to expand this conversation to more people. Invite the whole office, if you'd like! Some subscription levels allow up to 250 people in a conversation.
The SFB plug-in for Outlook rocks. Once installed, all you need to schedule a Skype meeting from Outlook is to make a new meeting, click on the SFB icon plug-in, and it auto populates your conference information in the body of the meeting. Add your attendees, an agenda, and pick a time, and you are off to your next game of conference call bingo.
Flexibility for including non-SFB users to your meetings and calls help SFB stand-out as a great tool for collaboration. When invited to a SFB meeting, non-SFB users have the ability to download the SFB Web App to their browser. The app allows for HD video conferencing, IM in meetings, presentation viewing, desktop sharing, whiteboard, lobby, and presenter access controls. The app also enables PC-based audio and video. The only drawback is that other SFB functionalities like viewing a user’s presence or contact information are unavailable.
Where can you run this program?
Luckily, Microsoft serves up a free client that you can try. According to the website, the free basic client provides presence, instant messaging, and conferencing features. If you are licensed for Office 365 ProPlus, Office 365 Enterprise E3 and Office 365 Enterprise E4, you are also licensed for the full Skype for Business Windows desktop client, which includes additional features including advanced telephone support, archiving, and compliance features.
Is there a better alternative?
Microsoft has made it clear that Teams will replace SFB but gives no clear date when the service in question will shut down. While the UI of SFB is preferable, Teams has some clear advantages when it comes to features, specially for larger organizations. Persistent chat (think chat rooms) and greater integration with other Microsoft Office suite products is one advantage of Teams. It’s also the future-proof choice given more development is unlikely with SFB.
Slack is another very popular alternative. It has one of the best UIs in the business; mass adoption so you’re bound to find others in your organization that have some experience with it; and a target painted on its back: Microsoft developed Teams to compete with it.
Our take
Small businesses should take a hard look at SFB for their communication needs. That is, if they don’t already subscribe to Office 365 which bundles it. Large businesses may want the more robust features of full-fledged VOIP services or Teams. Its simplicity is its forte. Microsoft Teams – the replacement for SFB – can appear cluttered and less intuitive, albeit more capable.
Should you download?
Does your office participate in the modern, remote-work era where it might need IM, video calling, and teleconferencing? Does it use Microsoft products? If so, it probably already has SFB and if not, the free version lies a few clicks away. So, go for it.
6.1.32.129
There's no denying the fact that Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Web are solid email managers. They offer diverse options managing emails as well as calendars. And when it comes to scheduling meetings, Outlook allows you to dabble with several services, including Zoom and Skype. So, if you are looking for a way to add Skype meetings to Outlook, you have come to the right place.
Whether it is for business or just catching up with friends, Skype has been around since 2003. Thankfully , the process of setting up a Skype Meeting to Outlook is easy and doesn't require much time. So, let's get going.
Skype For Business Outlook Plugin Download
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Read MoreHow to Add Skype Meeting to Outlook Meeting
Step 1: Before you add a Skype meeting to Outlook, you must check if your Outlook already has the said add-in.
To do so, click on File > Options, and select Add-ins from the menu.
You should notice the said Add-in in the list under Active. Once done, head over to the main window of Outlook and click on Home > New Items.
Step 2: Select New Meeting and you will see the Skype Meeting icon on the ribbon. Now, whenever you click on it, a link for the meeting will be auto-generated and pasted on the meeting body.
Hence, you must pick the start time and end time beforehand. After that, Outlook will generate the corresponding Skype meeting link.
Then you can add the remaining details like Agenda and that's about it. You just need to send it away.
The good thing about Skype meetings is that Outlook users will view the option to join the Skype meeting at the top of the invite, whereas non-outlook users, such as Gmail users, will see the option to open the Skype web app in their invite. Yep, no mismatch at all.
You will see the reminder pop-up when the meeting draws near just like with most Skype meetings.
However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you proceed. For one, Skype and Outlook works only for Skype for Business users. Secondly, the username used in both Skype and Outlook needs to be the same. Otherwise, you will receive a configuration error.
In case you are using two Outlook accounts, make sure you switch to the account which is configured for your Skype account.
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Read MoreHow to Add Skype Meeting to Outlook Web
Step 1: Unlike the desktop version of Outlook, adding a Skype meeting to Outlook Web is easy on the eyes and more intuitive.
Head over to the Calendar tab by clicking on the calendar icon on the bottom-left corner.
Step 2: Click on the New Event button will open the scheduling window. Make sure that you maximize it to see all the options.
Step 3: After you have added all the details like date, time, and the meeting title, toggle the button for Skype meeting, as shown in the screenshot below.
Following that, you will see the link for the Skype meeting added to the meeting body invite.
Also, you can explore additional features like Response options. If you do not want the invite to be forwarded to others, and unselect the option for Allow forwarding.
Once everything has been finalized and the invite sent, you will see the details on your calendar with all the other details. And yes, there's the nifty option to join the meeting from there.
So, that is how you can add and configure Skype meetings on Outlook and Outlook Web.
And that isn't the end. We have a couple of nifty tips and tricks for Outlook, so continue reading.
Bonus Outlook Tricks
1. Open Skype from Web
Skype For Business Web Plugin
Did you know you can access Skype chat windows right from Outlook Web? Yep, you read that right. There's a nifty Skype option on the top ribbon.
All you need to do is select it, and you will see the ongoing chats and the other options.
To start a chat, click on any one of the names and you will see the chat windows open at the bottom.
Download Skype For Business Plugin
The best thing? You can keep multiple windows open at the same time.
2. Change Theme
Outlook Web gives several new options when it comes to themes. From bright purples to cool blues, it has them all. However, the (quick) Settings only displays five themes. You will get over them in a short time.
To switch over from that default theme, click on the View all Outlook Settings button at the bottom of Settings and head over to General > Appearance, and pick one from the list. As simple as that!
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Click here to see our outlook articles pageMark the Date
Other than Skype, Outlook also lets you add Zoom meetings. What you will love about it is that you can have both the options at the same time, so that you can schedule your meetings at your convenience.
Next up:Want to switch over from the default signature format on Outlook? Check out the article below to find out how to add and edit signatures on Outlook Web, desktop, and phone.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next
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Before starting Zoom, founder Eric Yuan used to work in Cisco.
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