MODERN METHOD OF CONFERENCE: SKYPE

Skype is an application that provides video chat and voice call services. Through Skype we can exchange images, text, video messages. It enables video conference calls. Skype is available for computers, tablets, mobiles, and smart watches via internet. It is free and quite easy to download and use. After it is downloaded, installed and registered, we need to plug in a headset, speaker or USB phone to start using kype.

Skype was created by Niklas Zennstrom from Sweden and Janus Friis from Denmark, in collaboration with Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu, and Jaan Tallinn from Estonia in August 2003. Microsoft bought Skype in May 2011 and established its headquarters in Luxembourg.

Benefits/Uses/Features/Advantages of Skype in Business Communication:

1)    Enables Large Group Meeting- Skype enables large group meetings. Up to 250 people can join a meeting using the smart phones, tablets, personal computers, and meeting room devices.

2)     Person-to-Person Phone Calls- Through Skype, one can make free calls to other Skype users.

3)   Conference Calls- Skype can be used for conference calls. To make a conference call, we need to launch a “new group conversation”, and select participants by dragging and dropping them into the conversation.

4)   Work from Home- Skype is useful in business as it allows the people to work from home. It has many helpful features including video calling. Business person can communicate with co-workers from home. It helps the companies communicate in group conference from different places.

5)    Screen Sharing- Through Skype, we can share screen also. Once screen sharing is enabled, we can choose to share the full screen or just a portion of it. This is useful if other programmes are running during the call and we do not want to let other call participants see them. We can also turn screen sharing on or off at any point during a call.

6)  File Sharing- Skype provides real-time file sharing, so we can send a file directly to one of the contacts.

7)   Save Time and Money- Skype makes it much easier for the family and friends to reconnect and for customers and business persons to hold the meetings and the conferences and it saves an enormous amount of money and time.

8)  Brings People Together­­- Skype can bring societies together through video chat with friends and family. They can call across the world as it is free communication. A Skype video call is the perfect replacement for a face to face meeting.

Disadvantages of Skype:

1)    There is a risk in using Skype regarding technical issues such as disconnection in network, camera may not work properly or video streaming problem. The sound quality of using Skype may not be good.

2)      There is loss of interpersonal connections as we can see everyone on the chat.

3)      Skype technology can be used for cyber bullying.

4)    Skype technology needs Wi-Fi or 3G service to run. The international calls cost money. Everyone needs a proper equipment to use Skype call which produces financial challenges.