for Business for State Employees

A new license agreement with Microsoft for North Dakota State employees includes a new feature for the Skype for Business client. Skype for Business is currently what State employees use for Instant Messaging and Presence. Under the new license agreement, staff will now have a Skype for Business conferencing account which allows them to set up audio/video conference calls and allows web collaboration for screen sharing. The maximum number of participants per conference call is 250. Participants can connect to the conference call via the Skype for Business client, Skype Web App, or conventional access. Skype for Business (local client and Skype Web App) users will have the best results using a /webcam that has been officially certified for use with Skype. The list provided here will show specific devices that have been tested within ITD. ITD tested Skype headsets and webcams. These devices can be ordered with an ITD WMS request as a Desktop Support Hardware request. The cost will be billed back to the requesting agency. It’s important to note that Skype for Business 2016 is the preferred client, however, any Skype for Business full-client will work and it’s important to note that the Skype basic client is not supported. Lync 2013, Lync 2010, and Lync 2010 mobile are also supported.

Avaya Plugin for Skype to be removed

State employees that still have the Avaya Plugin installed in their Skype for Business client will need to have the Avaya Plugin removed in order to start using the new Skype conferencing feature properly. ITD or state agency desktop support staff will have to remove the Avaya Plugin to expose native Skype call controls for audio and video. Native Skype call controls are required to connect to Skype for Business conferences. Skype conferences are not compatible with Avaya audio and video that are associated with the Avaya Plugin. In addition, user-to-user Skype calls are possible if both parties have native Skype call controls enabled in their Skype client and are using a headset. If a State employee was using the Avaya Plugin as a softphone, they will need to request the Avaya One-X Communicator softphone now instead via the ITD WMS system by submitting a request. Click to call and phone presence will not be supported when the Avaya Plugin is removed or when transitioning to the Avaya One-X Communicator softphone (not for use with call center agents).

Skype users can participant in a Skype meeting using the Skype for Business client, the Skype Web App, and traditional telephone access. Room-based video conferencing units will also become available in the future, but only if the video is a Polycom Group Series or newer. More information will be provided soon on how to get Polycom room-based video registered into the Skype for Business cloud including associated costs.

Click on the Office 365 link below and scroll down to the Skype for Business section for instructions on how to schedule a Skype meeting, how to join a Skype meeting, and other information. Office 365 - https://www.nd.gov/itd/services/office-365