Skype in the Enterprise

pclancy

Hi, want some feedback and opinions.

Work for a 6000 user health organisation and we're constantly getting asked to provide access to Skype. Senior IT managers are totally against it stating security flaws but the more I read into it the less I agree. Its P2P yes but its cryptography and digital certs are to the same industry standards as Microsoft Lync or Adobe Connect.

I'm wondering is it actually used in many enterprises or are commercial products such as Lync used more for VOIP or Video.

This is one independant security study but I've struggled to find more detailed info on its security strengths

gibo_ie

Microsoft bought Skype and are focusing on keeping it as a personal product and Lync as the business product. Skype is not end to end encrypted or active directory integrated so not as secure as lync is by design.

For 6000 users it will be far far easier to put in something integrated like lync as you wont have to set up 6000 skype user accounts for a start and you can manage the users centrally.

I install Lync every day and have done installs from 25 users to 4500 users so far this year with an 80000 user install in the wings... have and do use skype regurlarly but with the extra features like web conferencing, real time presence (integrated with office) and sharing desktop/remote support, lync on mobiles etc.... its quite a bit above skype!

Note: I am not a sales person but am a solutions architect and specialise in communications and collaboration.
If you want any advice or have any questions please feel free to IM me.

pclancy

Cheers, Yeah I meant just like 5-10 workstations in central areas that staff can use for overseas interviews, personal calls and possibly one-day patient interactions. Creating thousands of accounts would be painfull