I like Skype, I really do. When I'm traveling and need to keep in contact with friends and family, Skype can really be a lifesaver. Where Skype doesn't scale, however, is in the business world. Within the last few months, even years, Skype has marketed their communications solution to businesses, offering unlimited calling to Skype peers and landlines for a very low monthly rate.
This offer sounds very enticing to businesses, especially SMBs. However, it's not uncommon for SMBs to lose the planning foresight that their larger business counterparts have ingrained into their corporate culture. So, before businesses get excited about low-cost communications using a revolutionary new technology, they should consider these main points when choosing any communications solution.
1) Scalability
2) QoS and SLA
3) Logging / Auditing / Legal Compliance (SoX, HIPAA, etc)
4) Connectivity / Peering
Unfortunately, Skype doesn't scale well on any of the above criteria. In large environments, it simply can't beat a network of PRIs to handle trunking, since Internet bandwidth isn't 100% guaranteed, and there are limited QoS options and no SLA. Second, you aren't going to have auditing control, CDR, or a guaranteed secure route for SoX or HIPAA compliance.
Finally, Skype wasn't meant to replace a PBX. Can you honestly visualize a receptionist using skype trying to handle many inbound calls at once. Sorry, but this solution simply doesn't scale!
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You don't need a "secure
You don't need a "secure route" for SOX or HIPAA compliance. What you need is some reasonable guarantee of both integrity and confidentiality. Skype delivers on both of these counts by using documented an evaluated encryption (which degree of protection, I might point out, is not even strictly necessary for SOX).
Skype CAN handle multiple calls simutaniously
We have tested Skype capabilities in a receptionist role. It has performed very well in regards to multiple calls. I have personally taken four in succession without any issues. I suspect the person responsible for this article has failed to thoroughly research consumer and SMB turnkey VOIP. Skype is also able to transfer calls to other Skype users, landlines and even send and receive SMS text messages. Skypes low cost and these features have made it an invaluable tool in todays mobile phone culture. Add inbound and outbound call recording and PhoneTag.com voicemail to email transcription service and you have a powerful solution that costs near zero to implement and maintain. And yes it scales too.
Skype CAN handle multiple calls simultaniously
We have tested Skype capabilities in a receptionist role. It has performed very well in regards to multiple calls. I have personally taken four in succession without any issues. I suspect the person responsible for this article has failed to thoroughly research consumer and SMB turnkey VOIP. Skype is also able to transfer calls to other Skype users, landlines and even send and receive SMS text messages. Skypes low cost and these features have made it an invaluable tool in todays mobile phone culture. Add inbound and outbound call recording and PhoneTag.com voicemail to email transcription service and you have a powerful solution that costs near zero to implement and maintain. And yes it scales too.
Why Skype Doesn't Scale, you sure about that????
There are a lot of business out there using Skype. Many not just for the cheap phone, but also for the business services Skype partners add on. Have you seen companies like OnState (www.on-state.com). A lot of new vendors popping up in this space. PBX and other features come very easy to a P2P network.
Regards
C'Mon
Folks, this guy is still in college and I, for one, appreciate that people like him will be around to take our places in 20 years.
We should appreciate a fresh point of view from time to time even if it isn't completely "right" by our standards.
To the author:
Nice job - just remember one immutable rule of IT:
There are multiple levels of being right.
- Your "right"
- Your bosses' "right"
- The bean counters' "right"
- The CEO's "right"