Skype for Business Going Away, Makes Way for Microsoft Teams
Following an announcement by Microsoft, Skype For Business will be going away at the University of Kentucky on July 9, 2021. UK Information Technology Services (ITS) would like prepare students, faculty, and staff for Skype for Business end of life by offering resources, training, and support for Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is UK’s tool for collaboration with calls, video conferencing, chat, file sharing, and more.
Becoming familiar with Teams
ITS and Microsoft have many resources available for getting to know Microsoft Teams. Teams can be accessed online or downloaded by visiting m365.uky.edu. Customers have the option of both a web version and to download the Teams app. Teams offers a rich online collaboration environment complete with persistent chat, the ability to create Teams with multiple channels, share and collaborate on files, make calls, hold video meetings and seminars, and many more. For more information about training and knowledge articles available from Microsoft, UK Human Resources, and ITS, visit www.uky.edu/its/jointheteam.
The #JoinTheTeam website also features details about ITS’ Microsoft Teams Open Lab series. This monthly series features training and demos from Microsoft representatives as well as other Teams users at UK. The next Microsoft Teams Open Lab will be on April 14, where a panel of UK instructors will discuss “Teaching with Teams & OneNote”. The event, hosted by Teaching, Learning, & Academic Innovation is open to anyone interested, with full meeting information at www.uky.edu/its/jointheteam.
Migrating to Teams
For those at UK who currently use Skype for Business as their primary tool for meetings and calls. ITS recommends migrating to Microsoft Teams before July 9, 2021. Migrating to Teams will allow customers to perform all their previous functions in Skype for Business (e.g., join video and audio meetings, make calls, and chat) via Teams. For more information about how this transition works, read Skype For Business To Microsoft Teams Migration FAQ. If your college or department has not made plans to migrate to Microsoft Teams, ITS suggests reaching out to respective IT contacts to find out when the migration will happen. If you are ready to migrate, please email ITSaboutYou@uky.edu with your name and linkblue.
For 24/7 assistance, ITS Customer Services is available at 859-218-HELP (4357) or online at techhelpcenter.uky.edu. For non-urgent matters, email 218help@uky.edu.