Skype Brings Group Video Calling to Businesses
If there is one feature I’ve heard a lot of businesses ask for, it’s the ability to video calls with more than one person simultaneously. Many businesses I work with would like to include multiple offices from around the world in a videoconference.
We’ve all seen the business benefits of using video from one person to another. You enhance the communications experience dramatically when you add a visual element. It goes far beyond just seeing the other person’s face and watching for non-verbal cues in a conversation – always important in any business discussion. With video, you can demonstrate processes, identify problems with objects and create an “almost there” presence.
Now, you can extend experience this on an even greater level with Skype’s new Group Video Calling. As of today, when using the Business version of Skype, you can video call with three or more people (maximum up to 10), which is very useful for collaboration between widely dispersed workgroups, employees or offices. For a charge of $8.99/month, you can include up to 10 people in a group video call. When businesses use Skype Manager to sign up their employees for a three or 12-month subscription for Group Video Calling, they will receive a 33 percent promotional discount.
One company that’s already put Skype’s Group Video Calling feature to good use is ePromos Promotional Products, Inc., a leading promotional product and branding company. They not only utilize Skype to communicate with their employees and customers around the country, but also use Group Video Calling to connect their overseas manufacturers with their sales reps and clients to review order details. This capability has enabled them to shave at least 2-3 weeks from their product development process.
To learn more about Group Video Calling for businesses, check out our new video here:
So, don’t hesitate to get started. Sign up now for Group Video Calling in the latest Business Version of Skype, and start experiencing the terrific benefits having your live meetings take place across dispersed locations with your colleagues, partners or customers. We’ll look forward to hearing your feedback.
Terry Brock on behalf of the entire Skype Business Team
This looks amazing and a great alternative to conference calls!
Does this allow you to share slides with other callers like you can with Vivu for Skype?
I’m not familiar with Vivu but you can share slides with Skype. the Screen Share option is fabulous. I’ve used it to share Keynote (on Mac — like PowerPoint on Windows) slides to audiences I speak for using Skype to connect. Talk about a powerful experience! WOW! You can share your screen and that can be your PowerPoint and/or Keynote slides, websites you want to reference and more. Check on the slide share option.
Terry Brock, Chief Skype Enterprise Blogger
Must each participant in a group video call be a business subscriber, or just the initiator?
Only one person needs to have the subscription but all will need to have 1) strong bandwidth and 2) the right equipment. Personally I like the idea of having at least 2MBps download and at least 1.5 Mbps upload. Can it work with less? Yes, but with group video calling you want bandwidth as fast as possible.
I’ve tried the free video calling where you can have one on one conversations which looks great but I have some questions about adding colleagues to the video conference….does everyone on the call need to be signed up for the service or can you have a company license for the whole company?
Thank you for your comment. The (really) good news is that only one peson needs to be signed up for the Group Video Calling feature. That person serves as the “host” for the call. Hope it works out well for you. Terry
This groupvideo calling work only windows client or Linux client too ?
Right now you need Skype for Windows 5.1. Other versions are on their way. Stay tuned. Note that each person will need the latest version of Skype running whether Windows or Mac (still in beta as of this writing). And just wait till you experience it for yourself with more than 2 people in the conversation! The possibilities are enormous! Thank you for your comment. Terry
Terry, I am a regular skype user and would like to upgrade to business skype. I am especially interested in video conferencing with multiple participants. Do I understand correctly that skype business is for PC users only? I use Mac.
We have a beta version for Mac. Windows is best for now and get version 5.1 of Skype for Windows. I can relate to where you are. I use my Mac for most of my work, although my iPad is taking more and more of a share. I also use Windows for some specific tasks (yes, I have more than one computer). My Recommendation? For now, play with the beta version of Mac but realize it is beta. Soon (hurry up developers!) we’ll have a full-blown Mac version (yeah!).
In today’s computing world, I’ve found it helpful to have at least one token Windows machine (less than US$1,000) to get access to those things that are “only Windows” from time to time. Since most operations are going to the Cloud anyway, platform is becoming more and more irrelevant (that’s good).
Thanx for your comments. I look forward to seeing you online.
Terry
Why Skype is becoming unsocial???? Why did skype remove the feature for searching skype users on its new version of Skype. There is no “search for skype users” any more and that was a very important feature that was drawing many users to use skype. Skype should really focus to integrate these social aspects features. The ability for users to search other users by name or skype id is a very vital tool that is not only sustaining skype but also all growing social networks. Please do something immediately to return the ability of skype users to search other skype users either by name or skype id on the new skype version. This is the feature you really need to advance and improve not to remove. Thank you.
Terry
I am trying to launch a website that will allow me to conference with multiple people but also have others log on and watch the conference but not necessarily participate. The conferences would also need to be archived..basically like Twit TV. Do you think this app will evolve into something like Twit TV?
Thank you for your comment , Alan. Right now you can get the video conference but it is only for those you add up to 10. You can record it with tools like Camtasia and Screenflow. that in itself is pretty cool. Your idea is really good and worth considering for the future. We’ll pass it along. Please stay tuned. More good coming… Terry
Hi Terry,
I´m looking into getting skype business for my company mostly for the video conference. Regarding the accessories, we will need at least one webcam and a conferencephone ( the others have laptops with webcam). You recommend a few models on this webpage, but can we use anykind of brand or is it only the “skype certified” product you recommend?
Thank you for your comment, Martin. In general, it is best to go with the “recommended” accessories of any service. Yes, in the real world you can get other devices to work for you in your particular situation. You just have to test and that is the key. I’ve found, in my personal experience, that it is best to go with the “recommended” accessories from many devices. If I happen to already have something that might work — and not cause any damage (important!) that it is okay to test. Yes, testing is always good. If you have some webcams or other conferencephones that you know won’t cause any damage, test and try! I’m constantly testing with a variety of new tools and accessories. So far, I’ve not had any explosions (:-)). Hope this helps. Terry
In setting up this service can you use speakers connected to the individual computers at each participants site? Does each participant have to have the recommended hardware i.e. For group video calls with 7 or more people, we recommend a minimum connection of 8Mbps down-link, an Intel i7 CPU, a 256MB RAM, DirectX 9.0c (min) graphics card and 2GB of memory. Or is only the host / initiator of the conference call that needs this configuration?
Yes, you can hook up speakers but it is best to keep them low. Otherwise you could get some nasty feedback. Also, it is important to remind each participant to take their phones off the hook or put mobile phones on silent. Just something I’ve learned from personal experience!
And yes, it is going to be important for each participant to have the optimal bandwidth and hardware equipment (just like you listed). Only one person has to have the subscription but all need to have the right hardware or it won’t work for that participant without the correct configuration.
Let us know how it works for you when you try your Group Video Calls. I look forward to hearing from you.
Terry
Chief Skype Enterprise Blogger
u guys need to make the linux version the same as the windows version and fix the microfone issue on the linux version bcuz i try to skype with people and they cant hear me and they cant see me all they see is the upgrade mark so my suggestion is tht u make the linux version almost the same as the windows. please ix the microphone issue please i rlly enjoy using skype so thnx
Thank you for your comment and taking time to post. Yeah, I hear you. It would be great to have all versions exactly the same for Linux, Windows, Mac and whatever else. Unfortunately we can’t make all of them identical. However, we have noted your concern (and I have to agree with you!). Can’t promise any specific time but we are aware of it and working on it. Thank you for using Skype.
Terry
I have satellite broadband that is limited to 1.5Mb down and 256K upload. Can I still use the voice only part of SKYPE calling? What is the minimum upload bandwidth required?
I just did a check and found a page that might help. These are the minimum speeds.
However, from my personal experience, I’ve noted that “the faster, the better.” 3-4Mbps is about the minimum I’d recommend, although you could — and many have — made successful calls with less speed. That is download. For upload, I’ve found that 1.5Mbps is better. The actual results you get will depend on many factors including your speed, the speed of those with whom you are connecting, usage of the Net at that time you’re making your call. Somehow I’m thinking the way the wind is blowing might affect it — but probably not! (Just kidding!)
Here’s the link for our page that can give you a much better answer than me. Let us know how it works for you when you install your satellite. I look forward to hearing from you. Terry
http://tinyurl.com/speedneeded
Terry,
Do I need the Skype extra ViVu so I can share my video and desktop for a group call?
ViVu was used before but now you can use Screen Sharing when you’re going one to one. We can’t use Screen Sharing with Group Video Calling — yet! I personally would like to see it and I know they are working on that. Stay tuned and we’ll let you know if that feature is released. Thank you for your comment. Terry