Skype, once a popular and beloved video chat platform, has reached the end of its rope (in a manner of speaking). Microsoft is discontinuing the 20-year-old communication application, instead focusing its efforts on Microsoft Teams. The last update to Skype will be on May 5, but that doesn’t change the impact Skype had on the development of modern communication tools.
Teams Really is Replacing Skype
Microsoft is enabling Skype users to import their communications, including chats, contacts, photos, call history, and so on, all to the Teams platform, effectively preserving and replacing it at the same time.
This will occur based on a pop-up that Microsoft has added to Skype; you can watch this YouTube video for a look at it.
But Why?
The one big reason why Skype is disappearing is because all the other tools it inspired have surpassed it.
Skype was founded in 2003, then acquired by Microsoft in 2011 as a part of its efforts to expand its enterprise collaboration solutions. During this time, it also acquired Bing to help out its new Windows Phone 7 OS (look how far that went). Microsoft then completed a rebrand of its existing communication platform, Lync, as Skype for Business, and bundled it with Office until 2021, when it was discontinued.
Unfortunately for Skype enthusiasts (we know you’re out there… we think), its time has come to join the ever-growing list of discontinued software.
Skype is a Reminder of IT’s Ugly Truths
No software lasts forever, and it’s beneficial to keep an eye on new technology innovations, even if they will eventually fade with time.
Technology by nature will grow outdated with time, so you should expect improvements, updates, and changes to happen while you’re going about your business–whether you’re ready or not. You should always be ready to adjust your technology plans according to what big software developers like Microsoft are planning for widely-used solutions. Thankfully, we can help make any new adjustments easy with our managed IT services.
To learn more about how Virtual Business Solutions can support your business’ IT, contact us at (504) 840-9800 today.
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