Skype for Business Online Retirement Date Set July 31, 2021 – Prepare to Migrate to Microsoft Teams Now

Skype for Business Online is being sunset. The roadmap for this integration is now complete and the Skype for Business online services are now fully part of Microsoft Teams.  This is a retirement party you’ll need to pay attention to.  If you simply decide to ignore this you’ll find yourself in a pickle.  Just like any retirement, you need to be prepared.  This will impact those currently using Skype for Business Online and as I see it… this is the beginning of more… and more on that later.  Wake up!  There will be NO Skype for Business Online in less than 2 years.  This is a call to action to be prepared to migrate.

While this announcement only relates specifically to Skype for Business Online if you are using other editions of Skype you also should become aware of Microsoft’s focus on Microsoft Teams.

Here are some great resources to refer to:

• FastTrack Skype for Business Transition to Teams
• Skype for Business to Teams Roadmap
• Microsoft Training on Teams

Call to Action… Prepare Now: Don’t Just Mark Your Calendars: July 31, 2021.

What is the Skype for Business Retirement plan?

“…After that date the service will no longer be accessible. Between now and then, current Skype for Business Online customers will experience no change in service, and they’ll be able to continue to add new users as needed. However, starting September 1, 2019, we will onboard all new Office 365 customers directly to Teams for chat, meetings, and calling. Please note that the Skype Consumer service and Skype for Business Server will both be unaffected by this announcement.”

I’m working on organizing a number of Teams events across the United States to help with the transition.  I will be partnering with Microsoft and Perficient to set up events in Microsoft Technology Centers in Irvine, Chicago, Atlanta and more.