Skype for Business services are not the same as Personal Skype services.

Found out an interesting little tidbit today. Since I want to use Skype and SightSpeed to record audio and video conversations for our daily Netcasts, I decided it would be a good idea to get Skype voicemail again. Since I'm going to the trouble of getting voicemail I thought it would be a good idea to get SkypeIn as well. Advertised on Skype.com is the free voicemail offer with SkypeIn service, so this seemed like a no-brainer. Turns out that free voicemail does not apply to business accounts.

Skype Business accounts are normally a really cool thing. I can manage a bunch of Skype users, automatically refill their Skype credits, add SkypeIn to their account and manage Skype services among users. Apparently I can not purchase a SkypeIn number under a business account and get free voicemail. This is odd for a couple of reasons. First, I didn't see anywhere any form of documentation stating that the free voicemail was for personal users only. Searching the FAQ didn't seem to turn much up either. Second, I have found no way to actually purchase voicemail on the business side at all!

After purchasing my SkypeIn number and not seeing voicemail activate for several hours I decided to contact support. They got back to me and stated that voicemail was not included with a business account, but since it was offered with a consumer account they would give me vouchers to get 1 year of voicemail. In the end I was able to get 12 months of voicemail with my SkypeIn number, but if they have to issue vouchers every time, why not just include it to begin with OR document that I'm not going to get it if I purchase this way.

Skype is great, Skype for Business makes my life easy, but I think they still have a little polishing on the business side of their site.

Hi Benjamin, passed your post on to the right people within Skype. Let's see if it a little pressure helps to polish the whole thing :)

Not happy!!! Have had to start brand new buisness account because skype will no longer alow us to fund. We have been using skype for our buisnes for 12 months and this is how they treat people? Because account is new will only let us fund small amounts and the new connection fee has doubled our tele costs. Again i say not happy! searching for a new program...............

2. Why is there no free Voicemail when you purchase SkypeIn numbers via the control panel.

This is a known problem which we are working to fix. In the meantime, if you purchase a SkypeIn number via the control panel and contact customer support, they will provide you with a voicemail voucher so you can get the free voicemail that way.

I like your friendly way of stating the issue here "I think they still have a little polishing on the business side of their site." I am not so polished in my expressions on what is lacking on the matter of the Skype for business ... Go to www.skype-watch.com (see skype for business section to see what I have to say...).

Recently Skype announced some new features for Skype for Business, which consist of easier installation of skype in an enterprise network and some innovations on the Skype Control Panel (better allocation of SkypeOut credit and better reporting).

I have been at this so many times already (probably too much and too early…). One can read all my suggestions, rantings and observations here and here.

Read this press release by Skype on Skype™ for Business showcase in conjunction with international architects firm, Lewis & Hickey. Interesting case-study to read. All the benefits are neatly summed up here.

BUT. There are still issues on the level of identity-management, fraude, impersonation, lack of reporting, controlling the skype.exe, the dual login problem, public password reset and so on. But okay, I agree there is slow but steady improvement… At least issues seem to be addressed.

I agree that Skype is almost a necessity in the workplace by easily allowing companies to communicate with each other. However Skype is not the only VoIP service avaliable, there are other such services like Babble that might please a customer better than if he/she used Skype.

Comments

1. Posted by: Adam on January 23, 2007 3:24 AM:

Ah, that explains a lot. I've also spent lots of money on SkypeIn numbers via my business account and was wondering where the voicemail went. I've contacted their support and am waiting for an answer.

I've been hugely impressed with Skype so far, but if they suddenly turn round and say that the free voicemail they advertise on their website isn't really free, they will have succeeded in turning a highly satisfied customer into a highly pissed off customer.

I hope they are listening.

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