Blog Post

Skype for Business Online ends soon

Simplify IT • 3 March 2021

Transit to Microsoft Teams - with some extra sauce!

July 31st 2021 - Save the date, for this is the day we say goodbye to Skype for Business Online - and if you're still using it, you'll need to start planning to migrate to Microsoft Teams without delay. The good news is, we can help you do this, or manage it for you - as well as offer a bit extra into the bargain.


So what's going on? Skype for Business Online service will retire July 31, 2021. At that point, access to the service will end. Microsoft Teams has become the core communications client for Microsoft 365 and so it makes sense to transit to that.


Please note:

  • Neither the Skype consumer service nor Skype for Business Server products are affected by the retirement of the Skype for Business Online service. Current Skype for Business Online customers will experience no change in service up to the retirement date.
  • Support for the integration of third-party party Audio Conferencing Providers (ACP) into Skype for Business Online will end, along with the Skype for Business Online service on July 31, 2021.


How this affects your business

While your organization will no longer be able to use Skype for Business Online once the service retires, July 31, 2021, you may continue to use Microsoft Teams as part of your existing licensing agreement.

Transit to Teams - Seamlessly


Each organization has its unique technical environment, application and process integrations, and aptitude for change that can shorten or extend the path to “Teams Only”. With a comprehensive upgrade plan in place, you’ll be ready to handle the expected as well as the unforeseen. Upgrade from Skype for Business to Teams and enable your organization to meet, chat, share, and collaborate from wherever they are, until the time is right for everyone to be together again.


But I already have Microsoft Teams...


Even if you've already started using teams, we can make it work far better for you, with more capability than the vanilla 'out of the box' MS Teams. This is our extra sauce!

I can do this myself, why do I need Simplify IT?


Its true that upgrading to Teams is not the most difficult task. However, Simplify IT can not only help you integrate Teams into your communications infrastructure, as certified Microsoft Partners we can save you money on your plans.


We can also advise on the best way to set it up to get the most out of it to suit your business requirements - including using Teams to replace any PBX phone system you may have. You and your colleagues can be make external calls through teams.

What you could get...


  • Cloud-based phone system with advanced features - including call transfer, multilevel auto attendants, and call queues.
  • A domestic calling plan
  • Dial-in audio conferencing for up to 250 people per meeting.
  • Call from anywhere, on any device through the Microsoft Teams app.
  • Around-the-clock customer support.


If you need more users, more PBX capabilities, like advanced cloud-based call control, and productivity apps, we can provide that for you. We can cover all this with you during a Free Consultation

What about all my other communications?


Team collaboration tools with integrated video and web conferencing capabilities have become essential for allowing employees to connect and communicate with colleagues and customers who are also working from home. Simplify IT is able to help your organisation with SIPs, Telephony, VOIP and Virtual PBXs. This is part of our UCaaS offering. If you would like to know more about this, click the button below.

UCaaS

So, are you ready to migrate to Microsoft Teams? Or if you already have, are you ready to get more from Teams? Just fill in the form below and we'll take it from there.

VPBX request

Simplify IT are authorised Microsoft partners, and as such we have the expertise and experience to deliver the best Microsoft solutions for your needs, at very competitive pricing.

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