Windows 10: Skype for Business Online retires in 6 months - what you need to know

Brink · Feb 1, 2021

Eighteen months ago, we announced the July 31, 2021 retirement of Skype for Business Online. With six months until the service ends, weâre focused on helping each of our customers upgrade to Microsoft Teams and enabling more ways to come together and get things done.

Skype for Business Online has been a critical communications tool for millions of organizations across the globe. Once customers experience the way Teams brings together chat, calling, meetings and more, they realize the amazing potential to collaborate seamlessly and simplify work in a secure and compliant way.

Regardless of where you are on the journey from Skype for Business to Teams, this is an important checkpoint to make sure your organization is on track to upgrade to Teams before Skype for Business Online retires and access to the service ends.

âWeâve got a plan, and weâre working the plan.â

Most Skype for Business Online customers have deployed Teams, either with Overlapping Capabilities (aka âIslands Modeâ&#157 or Select Capabilities, and are gradually moving users and workloads as their organization is ready. Chances are if youâre in this camp, your finish line is in sight. You still have time to double-check your technical and organizational readiness before changing the coexistence and upgrade settings as you move users or your tenant to Teams Only.

âUh oh, weâre not ready.â

Some organizations may not be far along in the Teams upgrade planning process. Itâs understandable as the events of the past year have impacted strategies, priorities, and resources for so many. Donât worry, you still have time. In fact, there are numerous examples of organizations that have made the upgrade from Skype for Business Online, or hybrid deployments or Skype for Business Server to Teams in a matter of months. With six months until retirement, we encourage you to begin planning today to accommodate the technical, process, and user scenarios that may be unique to your organization. But rest assured, there are resources to guide you step-by-step.

If youâre not sure where to start, we recommend the following:

Microsoft Teams admin documentation provides guidance for rolling out, managing, and preparing users for Teams.

Teams upgrade planning workshops take you through a proven framework for planning and implementing your upgrade from Skype for Business to Teams.

Microsoft Chalk Talks workshops teach best practices and practical guidance around some of the most popular and compelling scenarios in Teams.

FastTrack assistance is available for eligible subscriptions, or you may choose to engage a Microsoft Partner to help plan or execute your upgrade from Skype for Business to Teams.

Automated upgrades to Teams

Some Skype for Business Online customers will be eligible for automated upgrades to Microsoft Teams. This program was designed to assist customers with the technical elements of upgrading a Skype for Business Online tenant to Teams Only. Customers scheduled for automated upgrades will receive notifications in both the Teams admin center, as well as the Microsoft 365 Message Center, at least three months before their upgrade date to allow time for technical and user readiness. To learn more about eligibility and more details about the experience, read Automated Upgrades from Skype for Business Online to Microsoft Teams.

More engaging and efficient meetings. Improved collaboration. Easy app and workflow integration. Thereâs so much to love about Teams.

In six months, access to Skype for Business Online will end. Though weâre getting a bit nostalgic about whatâs going away, itâs easy to see how much more organizations can do with Teams â staying connected and accomplishing more together across work, school, and life. And that has us excited about whatâs ahead.

See you on Teams!
Click to expand...

Source: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/...o/ba-p/2108481

:)

Brink · Feb 1, 2021

Windows phone app for Skype for Business is being retired

Windows phone app for Skype for Business is being retired

Applies to: Skype for Business for Windows Phone

Summary

The Windows Phone app for Skype for Business is being retired. After this change takes effect, new users will no longer be able to download the app from the Microsoft Store, and the app will no longer be supported.

Although Microsoft continues to support Windows 10 Mobile, we are not focused on building new features for the system. We will continue to invest in Skype for Business mobile apps for iOS and Android and also in desktop apps for Windows and Mac.

More Information

How does this affect me?

Existing users of the Windows Phone app for Skype for Business will continue to be able to use the app. Moreover, they will continue to be able to re-download the app from the Windows Store.

New users who need to install the app from the Windows Store, will have the following experience:

Beginning in August 2018, Skype for Business on Windows Phone 8.1 will no longer be available for download.

Beginning in December 2019, Skype for Business on Windows 10 Mobile, will no longer be available for download.

The Skype for Business app may continue to work after these dates, but this is not guaranteed. This app will no longer receive updates or support.

What do I have to do to prepare for this change?

If you need to continue using Skype for Business on Windows Phone, we recommend that you install the app before the dates that are cited above.
Click to expand...

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ss-is-retiring

Updated from original May 20th 2018 deadline: Windows Phone apps Skype for Business, Teams, and Yammer discontinued Mobile - Windows 10 Forums

See also: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ms-is-retiring

Brink · Feb 1, 2021

Windows phone app for Skype for Business is being retired Mobile

Windows phone app for Skype for Business is being retired

Applies to: Skype for Business for Windows Phone

Summary

The Windows Phone app for Skype for Business is being retired. After this change takes effect, new users will no longer be able to download the app from the Microsoft Store, and the app will no longer be supported.

Although Microsoft continues to support Windows 10 Mobile, we are not focused on building new features for the system. We will continue to invest in Skype for Business mobile apps for iOS and Android and also in desktop apps for Windows and Mac.

More Information

How does this affect me?

Existing users of the Windows Phone app for Skype for Business will continue to be able to use the app. Moreover, they will continue to be able to re-download the app from the Windows Store.

New users who need to install the app from the Windows Store, will have the following experience:

Beginning in August 2018, Skype for Business on Windows Phone 8.1 will no longer be available for download.

Beginning in December 2019, Skype for Business on Windows 10 Mobile, will no longer be available for download.

The Skype for Business app may continue to work after these dates, but this is not guaranteed. This app will no longer receive updates or support.

What do I have to do to prepare for this change?

If you need to continue using Skype for Business on Windows Phone, we recommend that you install the app before the dates that are cited above.
Click to expand...

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ss-is-retiring

Updated from original May 20th 2018 deadline: Windows Phone apps Skype for Business, Teams, and Yammer discontinued Mobile - Windows 10 Forums

See also: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ms-is-retiring

Brink · Feb 1, 2021

Skype for Business Online will retire in 12 months

A year ago, we announced the July 31, 2021 retirement date for Skype for Business Online along with our recommendation that customers upgrade to Microsoft Teams. Since then, Teams adoption and usage continue to grow, as organizations have needed to find better ways to safely connect with their teams, customers, and partners. We’re seeing this play out in the dramatic increase in remote work, where traditional in-person meetings that are now impractical or impossible are being replaced by online meetings, calls, and chats.

Many of our Skype for Business customers have accelerated their upgrades to Teams expressly to bring people, data, ideas, and workflows together in one place, giving them the flexibility to keep working while physically apart.

With 12 months until the retirement of Skype for Business Online, we want to ensure each of our customers has a plan to transition to Teams – not only because access to Skype for Business Online will end, but to help realize the full benefits of Teams. Whether your organization is looking to transition from Skype for Business Server, Skype for Business Online, or a hybrid deployment, here are some resources to help along the way.

Training, workshops, and technical guidance for a successful upgrade to Teams

Instructor-Led Teams Training – Need guidance for your deployment, or help training your organization to get the most from Teams? Check out the free live and on-demand online training designed to help business decision makers, admins, IT Pros, and end users get up and running with Teams.

Teams Upgrade Guidance – The Skype for Business to Teams content on Microsoft Docs covers upgrades end-to-end featuring a proven project framework, coexistence specifications, and an upgrade success kit. Reference for all-up planning or for answers to specific upgrade questions.

Teams Upgrade Planning Workshops – Project leads, change managers, and IT admins rave about these free, interactive online workshops for their valuable guidance, best practices, and resources for planning and implementing the upgrade to Teams.

FastTrack and Partner Support – When Teams deployment projects require more involved assistance, customers with eligible subscriptions can engage FastTrack for support. Customers are also encouraged to engage a Microsoft Partner for assistance planning or executing their upgrades from Skype for Business to Teams.

Plan today for success in the months ahead

If you’ve already started your journey to Teams, keep it up. Each organization has its unique technical environment, application and process integrations, and aptitude for change that can shorten or extend the path to “Teams Only”. With a comprehensive upgrade plan in place, you’ll be ready to handle the expected as well as the unforeseen. Upgrade from Skype for Business to Teams and enable your organization to meet, chat, share, and collaborate from wherever they are, until the time is right for everyone to be together again.

See you on Teams!
Click to expand...

Source: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/...a/ba-p/1554531

Windows 10: Skype for Business Online retires in 6 months - what you need to know

Skype for Business Online retires in 6 months - what you need to know

Skype for Business Online retires in 6 months - what you need to know

Skype for Business Online retires in 6 months - what you need to know

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