Skype targets business with new online account manager

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 13 May 2010 13:54

Business IT - Networking

Skype has moved to make its Internet telephony service more attractive to businesses with the introduction of a web-based tool that enables manages to monitor and control individual user accounts.

The new Skype Manager www.skype.com/skypemanager has replaced the Skype Business Control Panel that previously provided SMBs with the ability ot organise Skype usage among employees.

Skype Manager allows an administrator to set up configure, and allocate credit to individual user accounts and to centralise payment for all user accounts. They can monitor individual usage in real time and either add credit as required or arrange for accounts to be automatically topped up. Any credit is automatically converted to the currency of the country where the user is based.

Account features such as voicemail, video calling, call forwarding, file transfer can be activated on individual accounts. Individual accounts can be linked into groups, reflecting an organisation's structure.

Skype Manager can also be used to set up and manage Skype for SIP - the Skype product launched in March 2009, that enables Skype services to be accessed through a company's existing IP PBX. It is presently available in beta at no charge to any business.

Dan Neary, Asia Pacific VP and general manger of Skype said that usage of Skype Manager would eventually be charged, but would give no indication of fees or fee structure. However it is being offered at no charge until 31 October 2010.

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