New online tool helps businesses manage Skype deployments

Skype Manager enables companies of all sizes to harness the power of Skype for communications and collaboration

LUXEMBOURG - Skype today announced the launch of Skype Manager, a web-based management tool that enables businesses to harness the power of Skype to achieve greater communications flexibility, cost savings and control over the use of Skype in their organization. Skype Manager replaces Skype’s Business Control Panel, which was originally developed to provide small and mid-size businesses the ability to organize Skype usage among their employees.

Skype Manager (skype.com/go/skypemanager) makes it simple for businesses of all sizes to deploy Skype efficiently and effectively in the workplace. It incorporates a centralized payment system and real-time analysis and reporting capabilities. It also gives companies the ability to manage Skype user accounts across an organization and assign Skype features through an administration dashboard.

“We looked at how Skype is being used in the workplace and specifically designed Skype Manager to make it easier for businesses to centrally manage how Skype is used, managed and paid for by an organization,” said David Gurle, VP and General Manager of Skype for Business. “We want to empower businesses to exploit the full power and value of Skype so they receive all the benefits of enhanced collaboration and cost savings.”
Key features of Skype Manager

* Skype usage within a company is centralized. The company’s Skype administrator can set up as many individual Skype accounts as required for its employees and create additional accounts as needed.
* Skype Credit is purchased and allocated by the administrator, who also assigns features to users, such as online numbers, subscriptions, voice mail and other options.
* Renewal of Skype Credit and subscriptions can be automated.
* The flexible reporting dashboard enables real-time analysis of Skype usage across the organization, as well as monthly spending reports, at company, department or individual employee level.

Skype Manager can also be used to quickly and easily set up and manage Skype for SIP (skype.com/go/sip), a solution for connecting a company’s existing SIP-enabled PBX to Skype. Companies with legacy TDM PBXs or Key Systems can also use a third-party gateway that has been certified as interoperable to connect to Skype for SIP. This way, Skype can be used to enable employees to communicate more efficiently by directing their outbound calls through their existing communications system to mobile phones and landlines around the world via Skype – right from their desk phones. It also allows businesses to receive inbound calls from Skype users into their existing communications system where they can be handled or directed in the same way as any other inbound call.

Skype Manager is being offered as a free trial until the end of October 2010. Skype for SIP is currently available in Open Beta to all businesses.

Skype enables businesses to enhance collaboration and productivity. Today, it is estimated that 37% of Skype users use Skype for business purposes . Skype is well-known for free voice and video calling between Skype users around the world. It is also used for instant messaging, screen sharing and sending files, low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles around the world, the ability to use Skype on mobile phones and more. More information about using Skype in a business setting is available at skype.com/go/business.
About Skype

Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles.
Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone services and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for SIP is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype for SIP users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional fixed line telephone services, connected to the local exchange, or through other emergency calling capable telephone services.

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.