Skype for Business

Overview

Skype for business is a communications service that connects people for meetings and conversations anytime and from virtually anywhere. It gives users access to information about presence, and enables instant messaging, audio and video calling, rich online meetings, and extensive web conferencing capabilities.

Features

The following core capabilities are included in Skype for Business:

  • Chat: Enjoy public and private conversations with other Skype users. Includes popular social features, such as adding emojies and custom memes to your discussions.
  • Audio & Video Calling: Skype provides a simple and easy-to-use app that allows you to chat with your team via text, have a voice conversation, or a video meeting. Attendees can share their screen and text chat within the meeting.
  • Schedule meetings: Easily schedule meetings for your team.
  • Record a meeting: Easily record your meetings in Skype and capture audio, video, instant messaging (IM), screen sharing, PowerPoint slides, whiteboard activity, and polling. Steps for recording your meeting can be found at Record and Play back a Skype for Business Meeting
  • Files: Skype allows you to send files to other Skype users.
  • Desktop Sharing: Skype allows you to present your desktop or a specific application to another Skype user or group of users. The receiving parties can request control which allows them to interact with the presentation.

How do I access Skype for Business?

The best way to get familiar with Skype for Business is to install the Skype for Business app, login with your UA email address and start exploring!

You will need to make sure you have the Skype for Business version installed on your machine please use the following sections to help you identify if it is installed.

Windows

  • Windows
    Go to the start menu and typing Skype. If it is installed it will show up as Skype for Business or Skype for Business 2016 or better. If you find one just called Skype that is for personal use and is not the business version required to connect to the University please go to the appropriate installation section below.

 

Mac

  • Mac
    Go to the Applications folder and look for Skype for Business. Current version 16.x

 

If the application was not found to be installed using the above steps please open up the applicable section below for install instructions.

Desktops and Laptops

  • Desktops and Laptops
     

    1. Sign in to Office 365 at https://portal.office.com/account. Use your ua email address and password to login.

    2. Choose in the install status box in the middle pane and click Install options should look like the image below.Choose Install and manage software

    3. If you see the following page, choose Skype for Business on the left hand side then follow the steps below for Mac or Windows

      Windows

      Under the Install Skype for Business 2015 section choose your language, the edition that matches your other Office applications (32 bit or 64 bit - if you don't know, choose the default) and choose Install. Then go to step 5.

      Office365_Skype_Download_Page_Windows

      Mac

      Choose Install. Then go to step 5.

      Office365_Skype_Download_Page_Mac

      If you don't see the install page please contact the UAA IT Services Technical Support Center via phone at (907) 786-4646, toll-free at (877) 633-3888, or email at uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu.

    4.  

      Windows

      At the bottom of your screen, choose Save as to download the setup file to your computer or you can choose runas. If you selected runas skip to step 7.

      After the setup file has downloaded, choose Run.

      Important: Note where you saved the setup file on your computer. If Skype for Business stops during setup, this is where you go to re-run it.

       

      Mac

      Click install and it should download a package (e.g. skypeforbusinessinstaller-16.24.0.191.pkg) Once the download completes go to download and click to start the installer.

    5.  Once the Installer starts just accept the defaults and complete the installation

    6. Launch Skype for Business. At the First things first box, if you accept the licensing agreement, choose Accept.

    You can install Skype for Business on up to 5 Computers. To install Skype for Business on another computer:

    1. Log on to your next computer.

    2. Sign in to Office 365 at https://portal.office.com/. Using your ua email address and password.

    3. Repeat the steps listed in the above procedure to download and install Skype for Business.

    Congratulations! You're done installing Skype for Business. Now you're ready to sign in to Skype for Business for the first time.

 

Mobile Devices

 

Equipment

  • Equipment

    Microsoft's Skype for Business Certification program ensures peripherals offer rich audio and/or video quality and supporting features that provide a great user experience. IT Services recommends the following devices for use with Skype for Business.

    Devices

    USB Audio and Video devices
    •    Logitech C925E Webcam
    •    Logitech Brio Webcam
    •    HP UC Wireless Duo Headset
    •    HP UC Wireless Mono Headset
    •    Jabra Speak 710 MS
    •    Jabra EVOLVE 75 MS Stereo Headset
    •    Jabra Engage 75 Stereo     
    •    Jabra Engage 75 Mono
    •    Jabra Biz 2400 II USB/Microsoft
    •    Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC
    •    Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC
    •    Microsoft's full list of certified Personal Peripherals & PC's

    If you are not sure which products meet your needs please contact IT Services supports many Skype for Business Products and Solutions certified devices. If you're not sure which solution best fits your business requirements please feel free to contact IT Services and request a Skype for Business consultation before making any purchasing decisions. We will help you identify the correct solution to fit your specific needs.

 

Note: In many cases participants can join existing meetings via the Skype Web App. Simply click on the Skype meeting address sent to you by the meeting originator and you're good to go.

Start using Skype for Business

  1. Start Skype for Business.
    • In Windows, click Start > Skype for Business 2016.
    • On Mac, go to the Applications folder and double-click Skype for Business.
    • On mobile, tap the Business icon.
  2. Sign in with your UA email address (UaUsername@alaska.edu) and password.

Creating Skype for Business Meetings

You can create an ad-hoc Skype for Business meeting at any time by simply adding contacts to an existing conversation, however there may be times that you want to schedule a Skype for Business meeting in advance. For Staff and Faculty, Skype for Business meetings will also include a conference bridge number so that participants can dial into a meeting if a computer is not accessible. Student Skype for Business meetings must be joined via a computer.

Online Meeting Scheduler Info

  • Online Meeting Scheduler

    Schedule/Create Skype for Business meetings online at Office 365 Web Scheduler

    Sign in with the same username as Office 365. (Example: gjjetson@alaska.edu)

    More information can be found by visiting the Skype for Business Web Scheduler Article Here

 

On-Premise Meeting Scheduler Info

  • On-Premise Meeting Scheduler

    Schedule/Create Skype for Business meetings on-prem at UA Web Scheduler

    Sign in with your ua email address and password. (Example: gjjetson@alaska.edu)

    More information can be found by visiting the Skype for Business Web Scheduler Article Here. Skip step 1 in the article.

 

HELP RESOURCES

Use the help resources listed below to learn how to successfully use Microsoft Teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What options for accessibility does Microsoft Skype support?

    Microsoft Skype supports various screen reader solutions to allow individuals to explore and navigate. Further details and information is available in the Microsoft Skype Accessibility Support pages covering Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Web platforms.

  • Are there any keyboard shortcuts?

    Yes! Microsoft Skype offers many different keyboard shortcuts. To see a list of keyboard shortcuts you can go to the following url Skype keyboard shortcuts

  • How many people can participate in a meeting?

    The maximum number of participants in a video conference, or call, is 250 people.

  • What is the difference between Skype for Business Basic and Skype for Business 2015

    Basic client limitations

    Skype for Business Basic lacks the connection to Microsoft Office. As a stand-alone service, it offers video and audio conferencing along with some call functionality and screen sharing. It does not offer the advanced Skype Meeting Broadcast that is standard with the Office 365 functionality. Skype Meeting Broadcast lets users broadcast to up to 10,000 people!

    The features below are available using the Full client and are not available with the Basic client:

     Manage team call settings
    Manage delegates
    Handle another's calls if configured as a delegate
    Manage a high volume of calls
    Initiate a call to a Response Group
    Call park
    Change greeting
    Group call pickup
    Whiteboarding
    Missed call notification emails are not generated when a user status is UM disabled and they are using a legacy Outlook Client (2013 or earlier)

  • Features not available in  Skype Online

    Online or Hybrid user account limitations

    User accounts can exist either Online or On-premises, and that will affect the features available to that user. Users with accounts on Skype for Business Online will not have access to the following features, even with the Full client:

    • Enhanced Presence: Use a photo from any public site for My Picture
    • Contacts: Search for Response Groups
    • IM Support: Persistent Chat (Group Chat) integration
    • IM Support: Escalate a Persistent Chat room to a Skype for Business Meeting with one click
    • External Users: Conduct two-party or multiparty calls with external users

 

Known Issues

 

Other related information

Need additional help or have issues

For additional assistance contact UAA IT Services Technical Support Center via phone at (907) 786-4646, toll-free at (877) 633-3888, or email at uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu.