Good news, the Skype for Business Mac client is now generally available!

Install, sign in, and start using Skype for Business to add contacts, make calls, chat, and hold online meetings. Get started on Windows Get started on Mac. Download and install Skype for Business on Windows. Skype for Business makes it easy to connect and collaborate with coworkers and business partners around the world. If you're using Skype for Business on a Mac, see the Skype for Business on Mac Quick Start. Download and install. Skype for Business (SFB) is a business-focused app that allows you to instant message, phone and video call, screen share, host and record meetings, and generally collaborate with your colleagues. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Lync, then you’re in luck – Lync was rebranded to Skype for Business in. Skype for Business on Windows or Mac provides a great online meeting experience with the latest in audio and video features, desktop sharing, and ease of use. Important: To use Skype for Business, you need a Skype for Business or Lync account—typically the same user name and password you use when signing in at work or school.

It’s been a long time waiting, but Microsoft has hit their October 2016 deadline.

Version: 16.0.0.3638

File Name: SkypeForBusinessInstaller-16.0.0.3638.pkg

Date Published: 10/26/2016

File Size: 35.9 MB

Skype for Business Mac Download Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54108

For the best Mac client experiences and an always up-to-date infrastructure, we recommend all customers migrate to Office 365. Skype for Business Server 2015 customers should at a minimum download and install the Skype for Business Server 2015 Cumulative Update version 9319.272 or higher (coming soon). Lync Server 2013 customers should consider upgrading their installation to Skype for Business Server 2015 or downloading the latest Lync Server 2013 Cumulative Update version 8308.973 or higher (coming soon). Lync Server 2010 is not supported – instead, we recommend customers continue to use the Lync for Mac 2011 client.

Skype for Mac Known issues: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Known-issues-Skype-for-Business-on-Mac-494ac5d5-50be-4aa7-8f5a-669c71c98c9a?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US&fromAR=1

FAQ: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/FAQ-Skype-for-Business-on-Mac-878fff6e-fc22-4917-870a-584478cb55ef?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US&fromAR=1

Requirements Mac OS X

• Skype for Business Server 2015 or Lync Server 2013
• OSX 10.11 (El Capitan) or OSX 10.12 (Sierra)
• Outlook Mac build 15.27 (161010) required for Outlook integration

Key Features:

• one-click join,
• edge-to-edge video
• full screen sharing

Training session from Microsoft Introducing Skype for Business on Mac, here: https://www.skypeoperationsframework.com/Academy?TechnicalProductTrainings

This session will walk you through the new Skype for Business on Mac client. It will show you the user experience, walk you through the features and will take a look under the hood – pointing out when Skype for Business for Mac is different than other clients. It concludes with troubleshooting information.

Great walkthrough of all the detail from Martin here: https://ucmart.uk/2016/10/27/skype-for-business-for-mac-available-for-download-quick-summary-of-client/

List of Additional Known Issues from Iain here: https://northernlync.wordpress.com/2016/10/27/skype-for-mac-ga-7-other-known-issues-not-mentioned/

Skype for Business (SFB) is a business-focused app that allows you to instant message, phone and video call, screen share, host and record meetings, and generally collaborate with your colleagues. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Lync, then you’re in luck – Lync was rebranded to Skype for Business in 2015, refining Lync’s core functionalities ever since.
Please note this is a separate product from Skype for consumers. It’s an important distinction to make since SFB should not be viewed as a phone replacement or VOIP Service. It cannot make emergency phone calls. It serves as a lightweight collaboration tool. Any business using the Microsoft ecosystem, particularly small businesses, should take a look at SFB. It seamlessly integrates with Outlook from where you can create Skype meetings and populate your contact list. It offers a variety of plan options at attractive prices, though making sense of that spider web proves difficult (see here). Last but not least, Microsoft has already announced that Teams will be replacing SFB and when sunset occurs, it isn't clear.

An enjoyable experience

https://crewclever451.weebly.com/blog/logitech-vid-hd-download-mac. Simplicity is its strength

Skype For Business 2016 64 Bit Download

At its core, SFB allows you to select another SFB user from a contact list and from there, start an instant message conversation, make a call (video if you have that capability), or share your screen. Additional features build from that basic premise.

Easy learning curve and intuitive UI

The application tucks toward the side of your screen, and goes for the tall and skinny look. Your name falls at the top along with your picture, availability status (available, away, do not disturb, etc.), and a personal message for your contacts to see if you choose to write one. Below that sit four icons across the menu – Contacts, Conversations, Meetings, Settings. These determine what you see in the body of the application. It defaults to Contacts, which means most of the time you’ll be looking at your contact list when the app is open. Your contacts each have a picture, availability status, and video capability indication. Managers can check on the idle time of their employees as SFB shows a timestamp for how long someone has been away from their computer.

From there go about your usual use case. Double click on your colleague’s icon and up comes the conversation window. More icons appear allowing you to make a call, share your screen, or send a file. You can also find a “+” icon on the upper right to expand this conversation to more people. Invite the whole office, if you'd like! Some subscription levels allow up to 250 people in a conversation.

The SFB plug-in for Outlook rocks. Once installed, all you need to schedule a Skype meeting from Outlook is to make a new meeting, click on the SFB icon plug-in, and it auto populates your conference information in the body of the meeting. Add your attendees, an agenda, and pick a time, and you are off to your next game of conference call bingo.

Flexibility for including non-SFB users to your meetings and calls help SFB stand-out as a great tool for collaboration. When invited to a SFB meeting, non-SFB users have the ability to download the SFB Web App to their browser. The app allows for HD video conferencing, IM in meetings, presentation viewing, desktop sharing, whiteboard, lobby, and presenter access controls. The app also enables PC-based audio and video. The only drawback is that other SFB functionalities like viewing a user’s presence or contact information are unavailable.

Skype For Business 2016 Versions

Where can you run this program?

Luckily, Microsoft serves up a free client that you can try. According to the website, the free basic client provides presence, instant messaging, and conferencing features. If you are licensed for Office 365 ProPlus, Office 365 Enterprise E3 and Office 365 Enterprise E4, you are also licensed for the full Skype for Business Windows desktop client, which includes additional features including advanced telephone support, archiving, and compliance features.

Is there a better alternative?

Microsoft has made it clear that Teams will replace SFB but gives no clear date when the service in question will shut down. While the UI of SFB is preferable, Teams has some clear advantages when it comes to features, specially for larger organizations. Persistent chat (think chat rooms) and greater integration with other Microsoft Office suite products is one advantage of Teams. It’s also the future-proof choice given more development is unlikely with SFB.

Slack is another very popular alternative. It has one of the best UIs in the business; mass adoption so you’re bound to find others in your organization that have some experience with it; and a target painted on its back: Microsoft developed Teams to compete with it.

Our take

Small businesses should take a hard look at SFB for their communication needs. That is, if they don’t already subscribe to Office 365 which bundles it. Large businesses may want the more robust features of full-fledged VOIP services or Teams. Its simplicity is its forte. Microsoft Teams – the replacement for SFB – can appear cluttered and less intuitive, albeit more capable.

Should you download?

Does your office participate in the modern, remote-work era where it might need IM, video calling, and teleconferencing? Does it use Microsoft products? If so, it probably already has SFB and if not, the free version lies a few clicks away. So, go for it.

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