Skype for Business Online users have less than one month to move to Microsoft Teams
Skype for Business Online has only been around since 2015, but it’s being retired this month.
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What you need to know
Skype for Business Online will be retired on July 31, 2021. Microsoft encourages organizations still using the service to transition to Microsoft Teams by the end of the month. ATech Community postfrom the company lists resources available to organizations making the transition (viaZDNet).
Microsoft first announced theretirement of Skype for Business Onlinealmost two years ago. The company has sent out several warnings about its upcoming retirement and offered support for organizations making the transition to Teams.
If an organization hasn’t moved to Teams yet, it will be scheduled forMicrosoft assisted upgrades to Teams. These help with the “last-mile technical elements of the transition,” according to Microsoft. If these upgrades are scheduled, an organization can choose to self-upgrade before the assisted upgrade date.
Assisted upgrades will begin in August 2021. If an organization is scheduled for an assisted upgrade, it will be able to use Skype for Business Online until the upgrade is finished.
Microsoft explains how the upgrade experience will differ depending on if an organization is Skype for Business Online-only or if it has Skype for Business Online users in a hybrid environment.
Microsoft explains that the transition usually takes less than 24 hours, but that time will vary based on how many users have to move over to Teams.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
