SWOT Skype for Business Online Gartner Report Coverage

The rebranding from Microsoft Lync to Skype for Business made headlines as it quickly went from striking panic to harnessing popularity. 

Now Microsoft has taken another step forward by offering a cloud solution, which they are calling:Skype for Business Online (SfBOL).

Overview

On-premise vs. Hosted SfBIn terms of features, both the on-premise and hosted versions of SfB have similar offerings. 

Where they differ is in terms of scalability and alignment to current UC landscapes.

...of the most important pieces of Gartner’s 2016 report, SWOT: Microsoft Skype for Business Online, Worldwide, so that you can have a quick view of the SfBOL offering.

Here’s a breakdown...

Major updates to the offering In December 2015, four major updates were made to the offering, including:

Cloud PBX PTSN Calling Skype Meeting Broadcast

PSTN Conferencing

Cloud PBXCloud customers will receive an upgraded experience through 20 features. 

It’s expected that over the next 2 years 20 features will be added.

PSTN CallingThrough a single bill, customers can purchase wireline voice dial tone, SIP trunks, PSTN, and telephone number management services. 

Skype Meeting BroadcastThis feature was added to support webcasts of up to 10,000 participants. 

This speeds delivery and reduces bandwidth. 

PSTN ConferencingAs another feature that can be bundled, customers can benefit from standard PSTN voice conferencing capabilities.

▪  Office 365 Suite is in use before SfBOL is bundled

▪  Global cloud development creates a strong foundation 

▪  Intuitive user experience

▪  SfBOL as a cloud PBX

▪  Business partners that support business of all sizes

SfBOL Strengths

▪  Providing network services creates an issues with partners and their revenue

▪  Cloud PBX offering is new and needs improvement

▪  PBX replacement isn’t ready for big businesses

▪  SfBOL isn’t necessarily plug-and-play

▪  Skype Meeting Broadcast is still green

SfBOL Weaknesses

▪  Creates success in enterprise telephony

▪  Expands partner programs

▪  Provides in-country data centers

▪  Will attract smaller businesses

SfBOL Opportunities

▪  Creates disrupted partner ecosystem

▪  There will be too many services in the cloud

▪  Will be novice against nimble application specialists

▪  Government regulations harms Microsoft

▪  Microsoft isn’t alone in the game

SfBOL Threats

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