Skype

Skype is a perfect zero or low-cost long distance alternative to local phone company creative long distance charges for small businesses or home offices. Unlike other peer-to-peer connectors, the service is an easy-to-use VoIP Phone Service. Calls have excellent sound quality. Security is good because of end-to-end encryption. The software works without the need to reconfigure your firewall, router or other networking equipment. This Internet phone service is an excellent tool, suitable for use in-house or on the road, with about 56% cost savings when compared to traditional phone companies (telcos).

Skype Is On The Move

The company constantly upgrades its product, it can't currently offer guaranteed service quality like telcos, or any service-level agreements, but still has made an impact on business. The company has more than 13 million worldwide users. More than 43,000 business users register daily, according to the company‘s Web site. Using this phone service puts the world at your fingertips, especially in those parts of the world where the Internet is far more reliable and cheaper than the local telcos. Businesses travelers can be freed from the quirks and outages so common with foreign systems while staying in touch with the home office.

Telcos are watching, especially since Skype was acquired by eBay in September 2005 for $4.1 billion.

Compatible Platforms

Besides Windows, Skype also works on the Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems and works well between different platforms while providing a native look and feel. PDAs using Pocket PC can use the program.

SkypeOut calls

Skype calling allows you to make cost-effective calls worldwide to landlines and mobile phones. There are some limitations. But SkypeOut Rates are low.

SkypeIn Calls

You get a regular phone number that phone callers can use to reach you by dialing on their Telco systems, while you’ll receive the call in Skype. You can use a U.S. city-based number as a base and calls will reach you worldwide. Your associates pay long distance rates charged b their phone companies to call that city. Currently 10 numbers are assigned to each subscriber.

Your international callers can avoid their telcos long distance charges when you establish a Skype number in their country. SkypeIn numbers are sold on a subscription basis at differing rates.

Free Voicemail

Voicemail is available for a Low fee that allows you to send or receive voicemail messages from or to associates using this service without being required to be online to receive. Voicemail is sold as a subscription, but is free when you purchase a SkypeIn number

Skype Email Toolbar

This tool’s functionality brings all your phone service and MS Outlook contacts together in one location allowing you to call contacts who email you, and make SkypeOut calls to Outlook contacts who aren’t subscribers. Other compatible applications are available submitted by a community of developers.

Other features

• Call Skype names and phone numbers written in emails
• Notification when Outlook contacts are online
• Initiate instant message conversations for email follow-up
• Added email signature button allows associates to call you at a click

Web Toolbar

The Web Toolbar recognizes associate Skype names and phone numbers on WebPages, allowing you can to call them through the Internet phone service with one click. The toolbar works with Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Groups

Group administrators or accountants can allocate credits, for SkypeIn numbers and voicemail used by group team members with printable document expense summaries. Integrated billing for all work groups, user management and group messaging is also available.

Business Applications

• Conference calls for up to five members

• Bookmarking chats - An open forum provides team focus and quick messaging instead of email.

• Call forwarding - Forwards calls from one Skype name to a landline or a mobile phone making it easy for associates to reach you even when you’re away from your computer. Callers call for free. You pay the SkypeOut rates for forwarding the call.

• Toll-free numbers - Callers can call you for free using your company’s toll-free number, worldwide.

• Security - The company provides information about how it interfaces with other systems and affects your network Security. IT administrators can elect to block its use if they have security or compliance concerns.

Purchasing Information

Radio Shack offers a $99 Bluetooth-enabled Motorola phone and headset to make calls, and a "starter pack," ($4.99) consisting of software, a headset, and 30 minutes of SkypeOut minutes on a debit card that you can use as a low-cost service test.