Your contacts each have a picture, availability status, and video capability indication. It defaults to Contacts, which means most of the time you’ll be looking at your contact list when the app is open. These determine what you see in the body of the application. Below that sit four icons across the menu – Contacts, Conversations, Meetings, Settings.
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. The application tucks toward the side of your screen, and goes for the tall and skinny look. Additional features build from that basic premise. Last but not least, Microsoft has already announced that Teams will be replacing SFB and when sunset occurs, it isn't clear.Īt 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. It offers a variety of plan options at attractive prices, though making sense of that spider web proves difficult (see here). It seamlessly integrates with Outlook from where you can create Skype meetings and populate your contact list. Any business using the Microsoft ecosystem, particularly small businesses, should take a look at SFB. It serves as a lightweight collaboration tool. It’s an important distinction to make since SFB should not be viewed as a phone replacement or VOIP Service. Please note this is a separate product from Skype for consumers. 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.
This way, you'll install Word, Excel, and Skype for Business all at the same time.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 Skype for Business and the other Office apps aren't already installed on your computer, download and install Office using Microsoft 365. Install Skype for Business with Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Go to Start > Microsoft Office 2016 ( Windows 7) or Start > Office 365 ( Windows 8 and Windows 10), and look for Skype for Business.
If you already installed Word, Excel, and other Office apps on your PC, here's how to check whether you have Skype for Business, too: Contact the person who gave you your Microsoft 365 sign-in information and ask them to check that a license has been assigned to you.Ĭheck whether Skype for Business is already installed on your computer
Or, your Microsoft 365 administrator hasn't assigned a license to you so you don't yet have the option to install Skype for Business.
If your business bought Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise you will have to upgrade to the entire Office 2016 suite of apps in order to install Skype for Business on your PC. It's all installed as one package of software! With Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, you download and install Skype for Business at the same time you download and install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
Your business is using Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise.
If you don't see the option to install Skype for Business in Microsoft 365, there are two possible reasons why: