2021. 3. 16. 09:14ㆍ카테고리 없음
Great news for enterprise Mac users – this week, out of Redmond: the new Skype for Business client for macOS has been released and is available for download!
If you’re a business Mac user (or if you support Mac users), and currently use Lync Server, Skype for Business Server, or Skype for Business Online as part of Office 365 in your enterprise, you know that your option for a full-featured unified communications client for Mac users has been the Lync 2011 client – client software for the macOS platform has not been updated since that release. In contrast, Windows users have experienced regular updates and feature enhancements included in the release of the Lync 2013 client, Skype for Business 2015 client, and Skype for Business 2016 client as part of the Office 2016 suite. Meanwhile Mac users have been patiently waiting for an upgrade. Your patience as Mac users and administrators has now been rewarded with this release! It is encouraging to see Microsoft placing such a significant amount of resources into carrying forward the new Skype for Business platform for customers who leverage Apple platforms in the enterprise, yet still want to seamlessly communicate and collaborate using their organizations Office Server or Office 365 platforms.
Some reading this post may already be familiar with the client in its preview state – Microsoft offered users registered in the Skype for Business Preview Program an inside look into the client throughout the development process, and received overwhelming feedback during the run of the Mac client preview (so much, they had to begin turning potential preview users away). This feedback was used to develop what I anticipate will be the best Mac client yet. Some of the new functionality introduced in this new client includes:
The Skype for Business for Mac client will be at parity, or in some cases, beyond, with the Skype for Business for Windows client, officials said. (A screen shot from the demo of Preview 1 is above.). The Skype for Business on the Mac client requires Mac OS X El Capitan and higher, and uses at least 100MB of disk space. We support the use of all built-in audio and video devices. External devices must be in the Skype for Business Solutions Catalog.
- A great new Skype-themed user interface that brings all the familiar features of the Lync 2011 client forward into the new Skype for Business color palate and icon scheme, together with an appearance that is unique and undeniably suited for the Mac
- Connectivity via Unified Communications Web API (UCWA) rather than standard SIP connectivity used with the Windows client
- Support for Modern Authentication (ADAL), including Multi-Factor Authentication, previously unavailable with the Lync 2011 client
- Introduction of Group Video Calling – an alternative to the “Gallery” view implemented in the Windows client
- Improved centralized records-keeping, thanks to integration with Skype for Business Server Side Conversation History – all of your chats are stored to a searchable repository in your Exchange mailbox
Microsoft has been working on this client for some time now, and has stated that the client was a fresh build, using none of the previous code base for the Lync 2011 client… the new Mac client was built from the ground up. This means there are still some features that will show up in subsequent updates, as well as some inevitable bugs that we will encounter and work through as we begin to roll this out to our clients.
For additional information on the Skype for Business on Mac client, reference the following resources recently published by Microsoft:
Office Blog: Skype for Business on Mac Release Announcement
Download the Skype for Business on Mac Client
Skype for Business on Mac: Known Issues
Client Comparison Tables, now including the Skype for Business on Mac Platform
It’s finally here! Microsoft has at last released the new Mac client for Skype for Business.
(Okay, it was released on October 26. But I was on vacation.)
As soon as I saw the announcement, I grabbed a copy and one of our test Macs. The same Mac on which I’d tested the Skype Preview earlier in the year (and had several issues). Fortunately, the new Mac client installed & ran smoothly.
Latest Skype For Business For Mac Client
Get the Mac Client
Download Skype for Business on Mac here: Skype for Business on Mac – Microsoft Download Center
(Curious note: Microsoft has a page up for Skype for Business apps: Download Skype for Business across all your devices. The Mac client version available here? It’s still Lync for Mac 2011. Somebody didn’t do their update…)
So what do we have for our Mac friends? The new client is, I’d say, a fair and equitable companion to the Windows Skype for Business client. There are some differences, and (as of now) a few limitations. But overall, I think our Mac customers will enjoy this client very much.
Skype For Business For Android
What the Mac Client Has
You wouldn’t expect any Skype for Business client not to have all the basics. The Mac client is no different. Presence status, IM, making/receiving phone calls, Meetings (Meet Now and Scheduled Skype Meetings), video calling, screen sharing…all are included. It even has a couple new features: One-click Meeting Join. Full-screen sharing.
All within a nice clean typical-Mac-UI interface.
Being a Windows guy, I thought for a moment that they’d stripped out many of the options. Until I realized that those options were available in the Skype for Business navigation menus instead.
Which actually led me to finding some notable differences between client versions.
Differences from Windows Client
In keeping with the Mac’s “streamlined UI” motif, several items you’d find right away in the Windows client aren’t showing in the Mac client. At least, not at a glance.
For instance, Call Forwarding. You can set Call Forwarding options in 2 places on Windows – in Skype for Business’ Options, and in the Call Forwarding dropdown along the bottom of the Windows client.
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The latter option is not available in Skype4B on Mac. You can only set Call Forwarding in the Preferences window, under Calls.
(As you see here, setting your Voicemail Greeting is also under Calls.)
Also, Device selection. Through which device will you make & receive calls? On Windows, Skype for Business lets you choose this in the same 2 places as Call Forwarding. On Mac, Skype for Business only lets you do this in Preferences, under Audio/Video.
By default, Instant Messaging windows open in the main Skype for Business window, under “Chats.” Chats also serves as Conversation History in the Mac client.
(If you want separate windows for Instant Messaging conversations, check the “Show conversations in separate windows” box in the Preferences/General window.)
Limitations & Known Issues
This is a V1 client. I’m sure Microsoft could have held it back longer for more feature additions, but they opted not to. Kind of glad they did; Mac users have dealt with Lync for Mac for too long.
That said, the new Mac client does have limitations. A few features Windows users enjoy are not available…at least not at this stage.
- No Application Sharing (yet).
- Persistent Chat is NOT integrated.
- No Delegate management.
- No initiating calls to Response Groups.
- Call Park is not available.
In terms of known issues, Microsoft has already published a list: Known Issues – Skype for Business on Mac
One to note here: you can’t have both Lync for Mac and Skype for Business on Mac clients installed side-by-side. If you use Lync for Mac, uninstall it before installing Skype for Business.
I came across one of the issues almost immediately. If you’re logged into Skype for Business with one account, but logged into Outlook with another, Skype Meeting functionality doesn’t come up in Outlook.
Even when you’re logged in with the same account, you may need to use the “Online Meeting” button to add Skype Meeting URLs/dial-in numbers to a Meeting invite. When I first opened a new Meeting, I had a blank invite. I clicked the Online Meeting button, and you see the result below. Instant Skype Meeting.
It’s Finally Here! Go Install Skype for Business on your Mac
Final impressions: I’m glad Microsoft did the Preview. This client was all-new, and it definitely had bugs. Leveraging the Skype4B community is a good way to hunt them down quickly.
The new Mac client is stable; I’ve had it running for over 36 hours now with no errors or crashes. It has a good feature set. It’s ready for day-to-day use. And we’re all happy for that!
For a full feature list, check the now-updated client comparison table: Client Comparison Tables for Skype for Business Server 2015
(Just remember to uninstall Lync for Mac first. And the Skype Preview client, if you tried that out!) Classic email client for mac.
What do you think of Skype for Business on Mac? Please comment below or email in your thoughts.