Skype’s Business Plans: What You Need to Know Before Upgrading

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Skype’s Business Plans: What You Need to Know Before Upgrading

Skype offers a range of business plans that cater to companies of various sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. These plans provide enhanced features and functionalities designed to streamline communication, collaboration, and productivity in the workplace. Before upgrading to one of Skype’s business plans, it’s important to understand what each plan offers, its pricing, and how it aligns with your company’s needs.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate Skype’s business plans and decide whether upgrading is the right choice for your business.

1. Skype for Business vs. Skype Personal

Before exploring the business plans, it’s important to understand the distinction between Skype for Business and Skype Personal:

Skype for Business: Designed for organizations, offering additional features like enterprise-grade security, team collaboration tools, and integration with Microsoft 365. Skype for Business has been replaced by Microsoft Teams, but some businesses may still use it for certain features.
Skype Personal: A free version that allows individuals to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files. This version is ideal for personal use but lacks the business-focused features and integrations available in the business plans.

2. Skype Business Plans Overview

Skype offers a variety of business plans tailored to different business needs, whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation. The main plans are as follows:

Skype for Business (Legacy Plan)

Skype for Business is part of Microsoft 365, and although Microsoft is phasing it out in favor of Microsoft Teams, some businesses still use it. The key features include:

Instant Messaging: Chat with colleagues and clients in real time.
Audio and Video Calls: High-quality calls for one-on-one or group communication.
Screen Sharing: Share your screen during meetings to collaborate on projects.
Integration with Microsoft 365: Access to other Office apps like Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Enterprise Security: Advanced encryption and security features for business communication.

Pricing:

Skype for Business Online is typically bundled with Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise plans.

Skype Business Plan (Subscription Model)

Skype also offers subscription plans designed for small and medium businesses. These plans provide additional features over the free version of Skype and include more robust calling options.

Skype for Business – Pay As You Go:
- A flexible pay-as-you-go model where you pay for each call you make.
- Includes Skype’s standard features, such as voice and video calling, and messaging, but with more extensive international calling options.
Skype for Business – Monthly Subscription:
- A monthly subscription with more predictable pricing.
- Features include unlimited voice calls to landlines and mobile phones in specific countries, as well as advanced call forwarding and voicemail options.

Pricing:

Monthly subscriptions typically start around $2.99 per month for smaller businesses, with the price increasing depending on the features and number of users.

Microsoft 365 Business Plans with Skype Integration

For businesses already using Microsoft 365, Skype can be included as part of the subscription. Microsoft 365 plans integrate Skype for Business (or Teams) as part of the collaboration tools.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic:
- Includes Microsoft Teams for meetings and chat (replacing Skype for Business).
- Skype is still accessible for personal calls and calls to non-Microsoft users.
- 1 TB of cloud storage and access to web versions of Office apps.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard:
- Includes Microsoft Teams for communication, along with Skype integration for external calls.
- Full access to Office desktop apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium:
- Includes Teams, Skype for Business integration, advanced security, and device management tools.
- More comprehensive solutions for larger businesses.

Pricing:

Microsoft 365 Business plans typically range from $6 per user per month (Business Basic) to $22 per user per month (Business Premium).

3. Key Features of Skype Business Plans

When considering an upgrade to a Skype business plan, you should focus on the following key features:

A. Calling and Messaging

Unlimited Calling: Depending on your plan, Skype for Business offers unlimited calling to mobile and landline phones in many countries, which is useful for companies with global clients or remote teams.
Group Calls: Conduct video or voice calls with multiple participants, making it easy to hold virtual meetings or team check-ins.
Instant Messaging: Use chat to quickly communicate with team members or clients without the need for a call.
Voicemail: Professional voicemail services, including voicemail-to-email, ensure you never miss important messages.

B. Screen Sharing and Collaboration Tools

Screen Sharing: Share presentations, documents, or other content during calls to facilitate collaboration.
Meeting Scheduling: Schedule meetings and video conferences directly through Outlook or Skype.
File Sharing: Send documents and files during chats or calls, ensuring everyone has the necessary information in real time.

C. Integration with Microsoft 365

Seamless Collaboration: Skype integrates with other Microsoft apps, such as Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint, allowing for efficient collaboration across platforms.
Teams Integration: Microsoft Teams has become the central hub for business collaboration, and Skype for Business users are being encouraged to migrate to Teams, which offers enhanced collaboration features.

D. Security and Compliance

Encryption: Skype for Business provides enterprise-level encryption, ensuring that your calls and messages are secure.
Compliance: Skype adheres to industry standards, including GDPR, HIPAA, and others, ensuring that businesses meet legal requirements for data protection.

4. How to Decide if Upgrading is Right for Your Business

Before upgrading to a Skype business plan, consider the following factors:

A. Size of Your Team

If you’re a small business with a few employees, a basic Skype plan or Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan might be sufficient.
For medium to large businesses, especially those with remote teams or global clients, Skype for Business or a Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan might be more appropriate.

B. Communication Needs

If your team requires regular voice and video calls, Skype’s unlimited calling options or integration with Microsoft Teams can be very beneficial.
Consider whether you need advanced features like file sharing, screen sharing, or professional voicemail.

C. Existing Tools and Systems

If you already use Microsoft 365, upgrading to a business plan with Skype integration can be seamless, as it works well with tools like Outlook and Teams.
For businesses not yet using Microsoft 365, Skype’s standalone business plans might be more cost-effective.

D. Budget

Evaluate your business budget and compare the costs of Skype business plans with the features they offer. A subscription plan with unlimited international calling might save your business money on phone bills.

5. Conclusion: Is Skype’s Business Plan Right for You?

Skype’s business plans offer a wide range of features for companies looking to enhance communication, improve collaboration, and streamline remote work. However, with the transition to Microsoft Teams as the primary collaboration platform for businesses, many businesses may want to consider Teams as a long-term solution, especially if they are already using Microsoft 365.

Ultimately, upgrading to a Skype business plan depends on your company’s needs, the size of your team, and your budget. Whether you choose Skype for Business or one of the Microsoft 365 plans, make sure the plan you select aligns with your communication and collaboration goals.