Skype for Business User Quick Tip #42: Using Multiple Audio Devices Without Surprises

In general the Skype for Business client supports more than one audio device and handles the multiple devices well, but there are some gotchas that are worth noting to ensure the experience includes no surprises. Two items to be aware of:

• Users cannot select the audio device for the next call while that call is Ringing from the Skype for Business client.
• The Skype for Business client will no longer “see” (it will lose call control) a call that is answered using an “Aries” series IP Phone connected to a PC w/Better Together which is not the default/Primary Skype for Business audio device.

We will illustrate where these gotchas might show using the two scenarios described below.

One possible configuration if a user is trying to replicate all the functionality of an IP desk phone (handset & speakerphone) is:

• Skype for Business client
• Headset (Default Skype for Business audio device)
• Speaker phone (Like Jabra Speak 410 or 510)

In this scenario the headset will likely be the default Skype for Business audio device. This means that if the user clicks to accept an incoming audio call toast the audio will be on the headset for this call.

But what happens if Skype for Business client is configured this way and the user receives an incoming call toast and they want to answer using the speaker phone audio device?

• IF the user presses the Answer button on the Jabra Speak (for example) the call will be answered & the audio will be on the Jabra Speak (all is good!)
• If the user tries to answer using the Skype for Business client, they will likely get a slightly unexpected experience.
  • If, while the incoming call is ringing, the user tries to change the default Skype for Business audio device (using the “Select Primary Device” at the bottom of the Skype for Business client—shown above) and then answer the call using the Skype for Business client…the audio will be sent to the previously set headset because WHEN SKYPE FOR BUSINESS IS RINGING YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE DEFAULT AUDIO DEVICE. (what the user has just done is change the default Skype for Business audio device FOR THE NEXT CALL.)
  • What the user will now need to do from the Skype for Business client to get the audio to the appropriate device is the following steps:
    • On the Current Conversation window: Call Controls | Devices | “Switch your device”

This scenario is merely to demonstrate that there is no way to select (from the Skype for Business client) which audio device will answer the call while Skype for Business client is ringing. If the audio device has an “Answer” button (in some cases: see below) it will direct the audio to that device.

Another common scenario is a user having a USB headset and an IP phone with Better Together so the user can answer either device:

• Skype for Business client (w/Integration to some PC level CEBP integration)
• USB Headset (Default Skype for Business audio device)
• IP Phone (Polycom CX600 w/Better Together)
• Polycom VVX w/BTOE

This combination brings another possible confusing scenario. Let’s say generally the user is taking calls using the USB headset. They have a PC integration they depend on that does call pop (Using the Skype for Business client SDK) For a particular call they “fall back” and answer using the Polycom CX600 connected to the PC using USB Better Together instead of the Default/Primary USB headset. The call will “disappear” from the Skype for Business client since the CX600 phone is not the Default/Primary audio device, even though it is connected to the PC via Better Together. (USB or Better Together over Ethernet.)

So to recap:

• Users cannot select the audio device for the next call while that call is Ringing from the Skype for Business client.
• The Skype for Business client will no longer “see” (it will lose call control) a call that is answered using an “Aries” series IP Phone connected to a PC w/Better Together which is not the default/Primary Skype for Business audio device.

Enjoy Skype for Business & see you next time!

For a ton more cool User Tips, get the Skype for Business User Tips & Tricks for Anyone Free eBook

See the other Skype for Business User QuickTips (formerly known as Lync)
http://windowspbx.blogspot.com/search/label/Skype4BUserTip