Hands On Review of Skype for Business Client

Here is my first hands on look at the Skype for Business client on my PC.

Quick summary of new items not seen before:

• New Emoticons
  • full Skype emoticon list and animated emoticons
• Exactly how the “Call Control” window works:
  • Call Control window displays when Skype4B does not have focus
  • Double click takes you to active conversation window
  • setting to turn it off
• Call Quality Feedback after Lync media call
• Alerts location. This allows user to specify where alerts (like incoming call toast) show. Which display and position on that display.
• Call Transfer will be no less than 4 clicks
  • If a call is from PSTN and has no contact in Outlook it can be one click!

Screenshots and New Functionality

The Skype for Business client main screen (note the round photos, like skype)

Search a contact. (With Skype for Business Server components in place you can search for Skype ID’s as well!)

New Emoticons

IM window

Multi-party video

New UI

New call control buttons and new “Call Controls” button. No “hover”, all clicks.

Call Transfer Steps if call detected as PSTN call: 1-Click! 

(if call is detected as PSTN. It seems this is only if number is not found in a Contact, which makes it a little inconsistent. When it works, its cool!)

Transfer Steps When call is not detected as PSTN Call

Call Transfer Steps: Click “Call Control” [1] | “Transfer” [2]

Also note new functionality: ability to mute the speaker.

Transfer Call window

Find Contact [3] and click Transfer [4]

Call Monitor

Displays when Skype4b does not have focus. Double click to be taken to Skype4B active conversation window. Mute and Hang up controls. (see new free tool to enhance this functionality:L http://bit.ly/callmonitorpro)

Change Alters (Call Toast) Position and Monitor

Ability to change where Alerts display. Which display and what position on the display. (shown in upper-right of primary display below)

IM Window with new around avatars

User Call Quality Feedback

New Settings and Features

Ability to Show or not show new “Call Controls” (call Call Monitor in marketing) when Skype4B doesn’t have focus

Alerts location. This allows user to specify where alerts (like incoming call) show. Which display and position on that display.

Phone Integration

Join Conference settings moved to “Skype Meetings”

Tray Icon

Taskbar Icon

 

Technical Questions & Notes

How does “Call Quality Feedback” window send the feedback? According to logs it is sent to Skype4B Server via a SIP Service message. Below is a SIP message:

What .exe name is the client? Skype for Business.exe

Can I turn off the new UI?

On Lync Server 2013 or Skype for Business Server 2015 use the csclientpolicy and set EnableSkypeUI to $FALSE

Go get the Skype for Business Client Preview: Click Here

Suggest an improvement: http://lync.ideascale.com/