ProServeIT
By ProServeIT on January 13, 2021

The End of Skype for Business Online is July 31, 2021 – Are You Ready?

Skype for Business Online’s end of life date is just around the corner. With the deadline fast approaching, the future of Skype for Business Online doesn’t look too bright!  

Are you still using Skype for Business Online? Read along to get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the future of Skype for Business, and what this end date will mean for your organization. 

What is the End Date for Skype for Business Online? 

Skype for Business Online will be retired on July 31, 2021.  It’s important to note that the Skype consumer service and the Skype for Business Server are not affected by this end date.  

 

What Does this Skype for Business Online End Date mean for Users? 

After Skype for Business Online is retired, the service will no longer be accessible to customers who are currently using it.  

If you haven’t already begun the switch from Skype for Business Online to Microsoft Teams, it’s very important to connect with a communications expert as soon as possible. Factors such as how many users you have, how technically complex your set up is, your end-user adaptability rate, and unique complexities of your organization will impact how quickly you’re able to migrate over. Need help navigating the end date for Skype for Business Online? Chat with our Communications team today to explore your options.

 

What Happens after the Skype for Business Online End Date?

If your organization is not in “Teams Only” mode on July 31st, 2021, Microsoft should provide assisted upgrades to help ensure that you are moved over. You may have already seen notifications in your Teams admin center, or your Microsoft 365 Message Centre for how to get started. If you’ve received the message, but you’re not sure what to do with it, contact us  

 

Why is Microsoft switching from Skype for Business to Teams? 

Simply put, Microsoft wants to provide organizations with a single hub for teamwork, collaboration, and communication. The ever-evolving Microsoft Teams platform that will replace Skype for Business Online combines the business-critical communications capabilities of Skype for Business Online with collaboration tools, app integration, and file storage and sharing to form Microsoft Teams. This modern Cloud-based infrastructure will create new experiences for meetings and calling opportunities, allowing your users to make better use of their most valuable asset – their time. 

 

Is Microsoft Teams Replacing Skype for Business Online? 

The short answer to this is yes, Microsoft Teams will be replacing the Skype for Business Online.  

Skype for Business Online, while it’s been a valuable tool for numerous organizations around the globe, does not share the same comprehensive functionality that Microsoft Teams does. Microsoft Teams goes far beyond just the instant messaging, calling, and video capabilities of Skype for Business Online, and adds document collaboration and application integration into the mix, making it a platform that takes collaboration and communication to the next level and provides agility, efficiency, and better productivity for workplaces around the world.  


How to get the most out of Teams!

Join Tony Caporaletti, ProServeIT's Unified Communications Solutions Architect, in this video series as we explore Microsoft Teams in greater detail and help you understand how to get the most out of Teams!


 

How is Microsoft Helping Current Skype for Business Online Users? 

Microsoft has put out several resources to help organizations upgrade from Skype for Business online to Microsoft Teams. Check out the list of resources to help you plan your Teams deployment: 

📝Documentation around Teams Deployment and Upgrade - technical guidance for IT admins. 

📝Teams upgrade planning workshops - free, interactive upgrade planning workshops where Microsoft will share best practices, guidance on upgrading, and resources needed).  

📝Automated Upgrades from Skype for Business Online to Teams – automated program that can assist with the technical steps needed to upgrade from Skype for Business Online to Teams.  

📝Teams Chalk Talks – online workshops for IT pros and decision-makers to share best practices on some of the most common scenarios for Teams.  

📝Microsoft Teams blog – covers a wide variety of topics to keep you up to date on the latest news, features, adoption, and resources.  

📝The Total Economic Impact TM of Microsoft Teams: Improved Employee and Company Performance – White paper that Microsoft commissioned to understand the potential return on investment (ROI) of enterprises that adopt Microsoft Teams.  

 

What are Some Microsoft Teams Assets for Users? 

From blogs to webinars to eBooks and more, ProServeIT has put together several assets around Microsoft Teams, and we’re constantly adding more to this list! Check out these assets below and feel free to share them with those who are, or will be using the Microsoft Teams platform: 

☑️[Webpage] Microsoft Teams User Manual for Remote Workers 

☑️[Webpage] Reduce Costs & Lower Maintenance Requirements with Microsoft Teams Voice 

☑️[Webpage] Microsoft Teams: Your Ultimate Hub for Teamwork & Collaboration 

☑️[Blog] Communication & Collaboration Platforms: An In-Depth Comparison  

☑️[Blog] Microsoft Teams Demo – 4 Powerful Capabilities of Microsoft Teams 

☑️[Blog] Microsoft Teams Demo – Top Features and Capabilities 

☑️[Blog] Microsoft Teams for Project Managers: Top 5 Tips to Get Started Today! 

☑️[On-Demand Webinar] What You Need to Know To Adopt Microsoft Teams Voice 

☑️[On-Demand Webinar] How to Use Microsoft Teams Automation & Get Your Best ROI! 

☑️[eBook] A Complete Guide to Microsoft Teams  

 

Get Started with Microsoft Teams Today! 

Imagine: 

A place where your employee could go to discuss projects, co-author documents, host meetings, take notes, view calendars – all from a single application that’s accessible via laptop, tablet, mobile device, or desktop… 

Helping your employees be more effective in their communication… 

Ensuring that onboarding experiences for new employees are done efficiently and effectively… 

Creating a centralized digital place for all your workers – remote, mobile, or in-office – to access documents and content that they need to do their jobs more effectively… 

If these sound like heaven to you, it’s time to consider Microsoft Teams!  

Many organizations that we, at ProServeIT, have worked with have benefitted greatly from the collaboration and communication capabilities of Microsoft Teams. Check out the free* workshops below and book a call with us to get started: 

👨‍🏫 Teams 1-Day Secure Remote Work Workshop 

Helping organizations to rapidly implement Teams, this one-day Secure Remote Work Workshop will touch on security features and help you to create a Teams adoption plan. Download Details. 

👨‍🏫 Teams Calling Workshop 

This workshop is designed to guide you through the process of a simplified enterprise voice solution with reliable, high-quality, integrated calling. Download Details. 

👨‍🏫 Teams Applications and Solution Workshop 

Learn what the Teams platform can do for your organization. Our consultants will walk you through the art of the possible, working with you to identify and prioritize key business scenarios that help you solve specific collaboration challenges. Download Details. 

*Conditions apply. Contact us for more details.  

Published by ProServeIT January 13, 2021
ProServeIT