Skype for Business is part of the Microsoft Office 365 suite of tools, and through our agreement with Microsoft, all UConn faculty, staff, and students have access to this service. Please note that Skype is the rebranded version of Lync, which is still used for Macs and mobile devices.
What is Skype/Lync?
- It’s an instant messenger
- It shows your current availability (and is directly connected with your Office 365 email calendar’s status)
- It can be used for VOIP (voice over IP) calls, video calls, and online meetings
- It can be used for whiteboard collaboration, file sharing, and view sharing of your computer screen with mouse and keyboard control sharing.
You can use Skype to connect with anyone with a Skype account, even if they are outside the University. These features make it a good tool for staff meetings, group discussions, brainstorming sessions, small presentations, meetings where all participants may need to speak, or meetings where one or more may need to attend via phone.
Web conferencing with Skype. How to do it.
- Make sure your computer has an on-board camera and microphone or that you have connected a camera with a mic (it’s a must for a video conference!) Don’t have a camera on your PC? You can use a smart phone, tablet, laptop – any device with camera and mic capabilities.
- Set up your Skype Meetings options: from a Skype for Business window, click the gear icon, then select Skype Meetings. Select the items you wish to use during your Skype conference and select OK when you’re done.
- Begin selecting the attendees. You can select more than one person by clicking the icon of a person with a plus sign.
- When you’ve got all your video conference attendees, initiate your call by clicking the video camera image.
- When your video conference is done, click the red phone icon.
Learn more on our Office 365 Skype service page.