On July 30, 2019, Microsoft announced July 31, 2021 will mark the official retirement of Skype for Business Online at which time access to and support for the service will end. This news reflects Microsoft’s focused investment in Microsoft Teams, expanding on capabilities in Skype for Business Online by bringing together calling, chat, meetings, and Office 365 and third-party productivity apps in single, intelligent hub. The richer functionality of Microsoft Teams enables organizations to move faster and collaborate more efficiently, and replaces Skype for Business Online as the core communications client for Office 365.
With the focus of helping customers transition from Skype for Business Online to Teams, as of September 1, 2019, no new tenants will be on-boarded to Skype for Business Online. Customers actively using Skype for Business Online will still be able to add new users to their tenant. While many organizations across the globe have successfully upgraded to Teams, the July 31, 2021 retirement provides 24 months for remaining Skype for Business Online customers to make the transition. To maximize the economic and cultural benefits Teams brings, we encourage you to begin planning your upgrade today.
Skype Consumer and Skype for Business Server services will not be impacted by the retirement of the Skype for Business Online service and current Skype for Business Online customers should expect no change in the quality service up to its retirement date.
Read more about the momentum behind Microsoft Teams and the Skype for Business Online retirement announcement at the Microsoft Tech Community Teams blog.
Please let me know your availability for time to connect and discuss how we can support your business and the transition to Microsoft Teams.
Regards,
Ricardo Segalla