Microsoft Renames Lync, Skype For Business.

Microsoft Skype for Business.
Someone at Microsoft is recognizing the brand value of Skype and that only a few will know what Lync is. Viola, Lync is getting renamed Skype for Business. They also recognizing that Penguins (Linux?) are an important factor, see the prominence it gives penguins in the above video. I use Lync everyday and it serves the corporate needs. So at least I do not have to learn another Microsoft product, it just a label change. Skype had this idea of Skype for Business, in 2008.
I guess now I have to write another post, How to uninstall Skype for Business.

Skype For Asterisk Beta Announced!

At the ASTRICON concluded yesterday, Stefan Öberg, Skype Telecom and Skype for Business, Vice President, introduced the Skype for Asterisk Beta. It is an add-on channel driver module that integrates Skype calling with Asterisk based Telecom products. I managed to have a glimpse of the product on the AstriCon Floor.

He elaborated that the beta version of Skype For Asterisk will let us to:

• Make, receive and transfer Skype calls with multiple Skype names from within Asterisk phone systems, using existing hardware.
• Complement existing Asterisk services with low Skype global rates.
• Save money on inbound calling solutions such as free click-to-call from a website, as well as receive inbound calling from the PSTN through
  
• Create virtual offices, Global Presence all over world using Skype’s online numbers.
• Manage Skype calls using Asterisk applications such as call routing, conferencing, phone menus and voicemail.

So if you have an interest in Asterisk and Skype, you can apply to join the Skype for Asterisk beta programme.

Tags: Asterisk, Skype for business, astricon, free click-to-call, virtual offices, Global Presence

Skype for Business: VoSKY and Altigen Connects Remote Workers Over Skype.

Orlando, FL., March 18, 2008 – VoSKY, the market leader in developing Skype for business solutions, today announced that it has partnered with AltiGen Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATGN) to provide new Skype-enabled applications for remote communications. The partnership combines AltiGen’s powerful Voice over IP (VoIP) communication solutions with VoSKY’s advanced Skype applications. The new feature, Skype Extension Anywhere, enables companies to seamlessly connect remote employees and frequent travelers through Skype’s reliable and scalable VoIP network – significantly reducing the costs of remote communication.

Designed for the increasing popularity of remote workers, telecommuters, and virtual offices across the enterprise, Skype Extension Anywhere allows remote employees to tap into the corporate phone system using Skype. Using a Skype-enabled mobile phone, Skype phone, or laptop with the free Skype client, workers can enjoy the same call control functionality – including transfer, conferencing, reporting, voice recording, and voicemail – from wherever they are, just as if they were sitting in the office.

Skype Extension Anywhere activates any Skype-compatible device as a fully capable office extension and transparently routes incoming calls to the remote device. Routing calls over Skype’s VoIP network ensures the high voice quality and service reliability critical for business communication – giving companies an attractive alternative to deploying SIP-based soft phones that rely on the public Internet. Companies can cost-effectively add remote workers as demand increases, and only need to deploy the free Skype client software.

“Work is no longer restricted to inside the four walls of the office. To effectively mobilize the employee base, it’s essential to equip remote workers with the same communication tools as their colleagues in the office,” said David Tang, VP of Global Marketing at VoSKY. “With Skype Extension Anywhere, companies now have an affordable and easy way to connect their mobile workforce.”

“Partnering with VoSKY extends our enterprise communication solutions and gives businesses a unique opportunity to reduce costs through VoIP, while benefiting from Skype’s flexibility, ease of management, and superior voice quality,” said Jimmin Yao, VP of Product Management at AltiGen. “Skype Extension Anywhere is just one example of the innovative capabilities made possible through this partnership.”

Additionally, companies can use VoSKY Exchange to lower their long-distance and international phone bills through Skype’s low cost SkypePro and SkypeOUT services. VoSKY’s reliable and high quality Skype trunking can be used in place of SIP trunking, without any contracts or setup fees. With VoSKY Click-to-Call, companies can optimize their web and email initiatives by allowing consumers to instantly talk to a company representative via a free Skype call, offering immediate access to Skype’s 270 million+ user base.

tag: Skype for business, VoSKY, AltiGen Communications, Skype Extension Anywhere, Skype-enabled mobile phone, Skype phone, SkypePro, SkypeOUT, Skype trunking, VoSKY Click-to-Call,