First a bit of background about Skype. Skype is a software application for Windows, Linux, and other operating systems for making telephone and Skype-to-Skype calls via your computer. It was born and raised in Europe until it was purchased by Ebay in September 2005.
Initially business users were advised to steer clear of Skype. There were some security issues because of the method that Skype uses computers to relay telephone calls. Ebay promised early to address these business security concerns by releasing a business version of the software. Ebay has developed a business version along with a business-centric control panel where you can centralize and regulate user spending.
I have had a couple of months to test Skype for business and I have to give it a thumbs up for the small business community. It is convenient for general telephone calls and also to connect remote workers. I have used it as a video conferencing client as well as assisted others in using it as their sole business communications tool. It works nearly flawlessly it both capacities.
There are a few different ways that you can use Skype…
Skype-to-Skype. You can use the software to chat, video conference, and telephone other Skype users free of charge. How many Skype users exist? At this point, over 9,000,000 million people use Skype on business days. That number drops to half on weekends. Obviously business users are loving Skype. These type of calls are free.
Skype Out. You can use the Skype software to make low-cost telephone calls to anywhere in the world. Skype’s rates really shine for international phone calls. It beats nearly any rate that I could negotiate with a conventional carrier. Depending on use, domestic callers can save money as well.
Skype In. For just $3.00 per month Skype can setup an inbound telephone number in most area codes in the United States. Skype also offers voicemail and the ability to forward telephone calls to your wireless phone.
Skype is relatively painless to setup. You first download the application from http://skype.com/business. Once you complete setup the software will walk you through setting up an account. Once your account is established you can then return to the business web site and create a business login with your Skype account. At that point, employees perform the download, install, and sign up routine. You discover their Skype identities and then add them to your business dashboard.
Once the employees are setup, you can than add funds to their accounts as well as manage Skype In numbers, voicemail, etc.
Some people do not want to be tied to their computer to make phone calls, though. This is where third-party providers and Skype have stepped up with solutions. Providers now offer Skype phones that range from just USB handsets that connect to your computer to wireless self-contained Skype phones. One stand-out solution is the Philips VOIP8411B dual line wireless phone. It is capable of connecting directly to Skype without a computer and using a traditional land line telephone connection.
Skype is great tool for just experimenting and trying because you never need to worry about a long-term contract. You literally spend just a few dollars a month at a time for features.
Those that tried early computer-telephone solutions might have some very bad memories. That is understandable based on the early experiments, but Skype like other VOIP providers have really improved call quality. In many cases they have even surpassed the quality of traditional telephone service.