If you’re an avid follower of Microsoft-based news, then you might have noticed that the communications and technology giant has been awfully quiet about the future of their beloved Skype for Business application. Fortunately, we might be on-track to get some new information about the application at the “Microsoft Ignite” conference in September.
As one of the world’s favourite Unified Communications solutions, Skype for Business has been changing the face of industry collaboration for a number of years now, offering VoIP, instant messaging, file management, and more. However, lately, we’ve been wondering about what might come next for Skype for Business, and whether we can expect something new for the companies of tomorrow.
The Upcoming Ignite Sessions
Some of the Microsoft Ignite sessions that are scheduled for September have begun to pique our interest about upcoming changes to the app, such as “Plan for Success with Skype for Business and Cloud PBX”. According to the outlines that accompany these sessions, it would be fair to assume that there could be another on-premises version of Skype for Business in the pipeline.
In the past, we’ve had plenty of confirmation from Microsoft that they will be delivering more on-premises solutions for their “SharePoint” server. However, we haven’t had any guarantees about the Skype for Business, which has left many companies speculating about their future in the world of UC. With the upcoming Ignite sessions, we’ll finally have a chance to peek behind the curtains at the announcements that Microsoft have been keeping secret for so long.
Many of the Ignite Sessions appear to focus on outlining the relationship that exists between Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams. After all, right now, there’s a lot of overlap in the features that you can get from both “Teams” and Skype’s business application. Both offer voice calling, video calling, scheduled meetings, and real-time presence features.
Name Changes in the Skype for Business Services
Besides the insights into what might be coming next for Skype for Business, Microsoft Ignite, which takes place between the 25th and 29th of September, will also highlight some key changes to online services. For instance, the Skype for Business Cloud PBX will become “Microsoft Phone System”, while the calling features of the PSTN will be “Calling Plan”.
Up until now, it’s only been the on-premises version of Skype for Business that has caused so much speculation. The cloud application has remained incredibly popular over the years, with new partnerships emerging in recent months from MediaPlatform, Yamaha, and even BMW. As always, we’ll keep you posted on the updates as they emerge.
