Aside from a new budget Lumia
handset, the folks from Redmond have also announced today a new version of its
popular communication tool with Skype for Business. The tech giant has shown a preview
of the software just last month at its Convergence event in Atlanta. And now,
they’re ready to showcase its final version.
Made as a replacement for the veteran Microsoft Lync, Skype
for Business brings a lot of the features of its predecessor (and then some) in
a UI that’s familiar even to ordinary consumers. Some of the most notable
features coming with SfB include the ability to conference with up to 250
people, ability to connect to a phone and integration with MS Outlook and other
Office applications.
Microsoft also promises that Skype for Business will offer
companies with an encrypted and authenticated communication channel to ensure
that all data are secured. It also allows network administrators to restrict
controls for employee accounts. SfB will also be compatible to a company’s
existing equipment.
Skype for Business is now available as a component of Office
365 subscriptions with the basic model going for a rate of $2.00 per month.
