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Using Skype for Business

Skype for Business and Lync are interchangeable names in most circumstances.
Please be aware that most content is linked to Microsoft documentation.

Launching and logging in
Find someone, add a contact and communicate with external Skype users
Presence and availability information
Send an Instant Message
Adding Audio and Video to a conversation
Start a Conference Call
Schedule a future Skype for Business meeting in Outlook
Using Multimedia in your conversation
Privacy and nuisance
FAQs


Launching and logging in

There are different ways to access Skype for Business. The tool is available:

Already installed on the Desktop @ UCL Staff service.

As part of the Microsoft Office suite for standalone devices. The Office suite can be downloaded to any computer from the Office 365 Portal. 

You can also install Skype for Business onto mobile devices such as the iPhone and Android.


Find someone, add a contact and communicate with external Skype users

Skype for Business uses the same address book as the live @ UCL email service (known as the Global Address Book). Every member of UCL is listed and therefore potentially available on Skype for Business.

Once you have identified the contact you wish to communicate with, you can then add them to your Favourites or a specific Contacts List to save searching again.

It is now also possible with Skype for Business to communicate with consumer Skype (external) users.

Please note: consumer Skype is not supported by ISD


Presence and availability information

Everyone who uses Skype for Business has a 'presence'. This reflects how you wish to be seen to others in Skype for Business. It also uses the information in your live @ UCL calendar, so if you have a Meeting scheduled Skype for Business will reflect this within your availability.

Presence could be:

  • available,
  • busy,
  • in a meeting
  • or offline.

It is good practice to set your Location - especially if you are not in a permanent desk and to set your availability to available if you are. 


Send an Instant Message

The most basic method of using Skype for Business is to use instant messaging; more immediate than an email and has the added benefit of being able to detect Presence (see above).


Adding Audio and Video to a conversation

You can also add audio and HD video to a conversation. Most laptops already have a web cam, microphone and speakers installed - however you may wish to use a headset for more privacy.

Desktop PCs may need an additional webcam, speakers and microphone to enable audio and video. See the guide below if you need help doing this. The guide also includes information on answering calls of all types (video, instant messages, audio).


Start a Conference Call

You can quickly start a group call to work on a subject that requires immediate attention.


Using Multimedia in your conversation

You can additionally enhance your online meeting by adding a whiteboard for shared doodling, share files your delegates, share your desktop and perform quick quizzes. You can decide whether to be the presenter or hand control over to other delegates.


Schedule a future Skype for Business meeting in Outlook

Outlook 2013 and the Outlook Web Access can be used to schedule future Skype for Business meetings within your calendar.


Privacy and nuisance

Please look at the privacy information page if you wish to override your presence information. You can override your presence information if you do not want to be disturbed or if you are getting nuisance instant messages.

 


 

FAQs

What is the difference between Skype and Skype for Business?

Skype is the consumer software provided by Microsoft designed for personal/home use. To access consumer Skype an individual creates a Microsoft account with their email address as the username (e.g. @hotmail.com, @gmail.com).

Skype for Business is the software provided as part of the Office365 Professional Plus package and is designed to be used within a business environment. To access Skype for Business, an individual logs in with their organisation's credentials used to access Office365 services (e.g. live @ UCL email service).

Can I use/log in to consumer Skype instead of Skype for Business?

No. When trying to log in to consumer Skype with your UCL credentials (userID@ucl.ac.uk) you will receive a warning message of:

That Microsoft account doesn't exist. Enter a different email address or get a new account.

Skype for Business or Lync can be downloaded by logging in to the Outlook Web Access. Visit the Launching and Logging In section of the Using Skype for Business web page for more information.