Skype for Business

Skype for Business brings together many ways to communicate into one platform, so you can access and use multiple communication applications through a single point, at any location. Skype for Business has many advantages, including:

• Meet anywhere with video calls: video conferencing makes a brilliant replacement for face-to-face meetings, reducing travel time and costs. Skype for Business can accommodate up to 250 users for a conference call.
• Connect quickly with audio calls: Camera shy or need a quick conversation? You can just use the audio function for calls without video: a good option if you are working somewhere with low bandwidth.
• Instant answers via IM: Watch the Skype for Business – Instant Messaging video to see how to start an instant message, send instant messages, add attachments and add people to your conversation.
• Collaborate more effectively: It also syncs up with your Outlook contacts, making it just a click away to schedule a meeting or use your Outlook calendar for upcoming events. In addition, you can share screens and co-author a document at the same time.

Skype for Business on mobiles – Barnet Samsung J5 users will have the app available from 12 Sept. Please read the Android user guide carefully to tailor the setting to your needs.

Training guides

Please download the guide which suits your level of experience:

•  Skype for Business Training 101
  – Setting up audio device in Skype for Business
  – Manage Presence
  – Contacts
  – Create a group
  Calls and Telephony
  – Skype for Business will be used in place of standard desk phones
  – Make, Receive a call, Audio Video and Screen Sharing
• Skype for Business – Advanced
  – As above, but goes through advanced features like polls, white boards and presentations with additional tips 

Summer of Skype campaign – Presentations from the lunch and learn sessions

w/c 23 July – Instant Messenger: create groups, add people to the chat, and change from chat to a phone call.
w/c 30 July – Skype telephony: audio settings, how to set up voicemail, how to turn it on and off.
w/c 6 Aug – Meetings and conference calls: scheduling a meeting, sharing content during the meeting, best practice.
w/c 13 Aug – Advanced features: sharing desktop and passing control of screen, whiteboard, co-authoring.

Additional guides  (PDF)

• Skype for Business  – What is Skype for Business?
• Skype for Business – Team Call Groups (replacing Cisco Hunt Groups)
• Skype for Business – The Basics
• Skype for Business – Instant Messenger
• Skype for Business – Presence

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the frequently asked questions we’ve had about Skype telephony.

• Why are you taking my desk phone away?

Desk phones will be replaced with Skype telephony (also known as a softphone and Voice over IP – VoIP) and headsets for the majority of staff. With a desk phone and Skype we’re paying for two licences, the landline connection and the desk phone itself; which is an expensive tool that looks to be used less and less in the near future. Some services will keep a couple of desk phones, if the public need to use them or they have special requirements.

With Skype telephony, you’ll be keeping your current extension number, without the hassle of needing to log on and off and divert your desk phone. You can also divert your number to your mobile.

• Our team has a group number/ ‘Cisco Hunt’ group, how does that work with Skype?

Once you’ve moved to Skype telephony, if you belong to existing ‘Cisco Hunt Group’, you will need to create a ‘Team Call Group’ in Skype for Business. To set this up, each Cisco Hunt Group has an associated ‘trigger’ extension number. You will need this number to complete the steps outlined in the updated ‘How to’ guide with screenshots.

• Can I use my own headset?

You are welcome to use your own headset. Most headsets can be used with your laptop, such as the ones you would use for smart phones, androids, or tablets, but we cannot guarantee the quality.

• I’m on Skype telephony, but I can’t hear my phone ringing when my headset is plugged in.
  1. Click on tools at the top (and select audio device settings)
  2. Under the secondary ringer section tick ‘also ring’ box and from the drop down menu select ‘speaker’ (or laptop speaker)
  3. Make sure ‘unmute when my phone rings’ is ticked
  4. Click OK at the bottom
  5. Try a test call and see if the laptop will ring with a headset plugged in

Have more questions? Read the Skype telephony FAQ