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Is Skype Ready For Business?

Is Skype ready for business? The answer is a solid Yes if you count Skype Extras – third party products that can be used to enhance the basic calling features of Skype. For example, customer relationship-management software vendor Salesforce.com (CRM) has integrated Skype into its application.

The Basic Skype Calling Service According to Skype, more than 30% of Skype users are already tapping the service for business. About 97% of them pay for SkypeOut, which allows for calls from a PC to a phone. Among the business users, about 31% list a SkypeIn number on business cards. That service lets people call into a PC from an outside phone.

Compared with fixed landline, one great advantage of using SkypeIn is that you can answer the call anywhere in the world. Your customers simply call a local phone number (SkypeIn number), and Skype routes the call to your computer, such as your laptop computer while you are waiting for your fight in an airport. Similarly, non-U.S. companies can get U.S. numbers and send their incoming calls to agents anywhere in the world.

The baisc Skype calling service, however, lacks some critical business features, such as music on-hold, auto attandent, automated outbound calls, and customizable IVR capabilities.

Skype Public API The Skype solution for the lack of business features is its open Skype API, which allows third party developers to create products that work with Skype. Since its inception, there are thousands of developers in Skype developer programs, and hundreds of software and hardware products created based on Skype API.

Setup Auto-Attandent As shown in the following video demo, it only takes a few minutes to set up an auto-attandent system for your SkypeIn number using Voicent IVR Studio. The vidio demo can be accessed at Voicent’s website.

Setup Custom Support IVR System To design a customer support IVR system normally takes more work. For example, an IVR system might present different options to different callers based on their purchasing history, which normally stored in a company-wide customer database. With IVR Studio, developers can easily implement these features using the tool’s extension methods. More information can be found in IVR Tutorial.

Automated Outbound Calls Whether for service reminders, emmergency notifications, or lead generations, you can take advantage of another tool called Voicent BroadcastByPhone Autodialer. To use the product, all you need to do is create your call list, record your voice message, and click dial. The software takes care of the rest, such as leave a message on an answering machine or a voice mail system. It also allows call transfer to any phone number, such as your cell phone number. So when the person called is interested in your offering, he or she can press a key to have the call transferred to you.

Download and Give it a Try

You can download the whole software package and give it a try. There is no time limit on the trial version.

Greg Parrish - Technology evangelist for automatic phone technologies, including Autodialer, IVR, and Predictive Dialer.

About the Author

A bunch of Skype hardware tools

PlayStation Portable 3000 Core Pack System – Piano Black $129.99 Includes PSP-3000 system (Piano Black), AC power cord, AC adaptor and Battery pack.Features include: •Piano Black PlayStation Portable includes built-in microphone•Listen to MP3s and watch full-length movies•Built-in WiFi lets you access the Internet from any accessible hotspot•Memory Stick Duo slot for storage expansion…

PSPgo – Pearl White $165.00 It’s go time.The PSP®go system is small but mighty. Built-in Wi-Fi* lets you download whatever you want, the second you want it, including hundreds of full games, add-ons, free demos, comics, and the latest movies and TV shows from PlayStation®Store. Save everything directly to your giant 16GB hard drive: no need to carry around handfuls of game disks and memory sticks, although the Memory Stick…

PSPgo – Piano Black $184.99 Introducing the smallest and mightiest PSP system yet. Download rich, immersive digital gaming or the best movies and TV shows saved directly to the ample 16GB hard drive. Browse the incredibly deep lineup of PSP gaming and movie content on the PlayStation Network. Use built-in Bluetooth support to connect a wireless headset and utilize Skype to talk with friends. But best of all, show off your co…

LG RVF1000 Web Conference Equipment $3,173.99 Video Conferencing System VCS…

Kindle Fire User Manual: User Guide for Kindle Fire to Download FREE Kindle eBooks, Use the Web, Email, TV Shows, Music, Movies, Apps, Games, and Master the Kindle Fire $4.88 “New User Manual Reveals Tips, Tricks and Secrets of the Kindle Fire”Kindle Fire is the ultimate all-in-one tablet to read books, listen to music,watch TV shows and movies, download apps, check email, and surf the web.Find Out What the Kindle Fire Has to Offer.Contents:Powering Kindle FireChanging SettingsBuying ContentReading BooksListening to MusicWatching VideoUsing DocumentsSurfing the WebUsin…

iPad Made Simple $4.99 Get the most out of your iPad with iPad Made Simple—learn all the key features, understand what’s new, and utilize dozens of time-saving tips and tricks. This book includes over 740 pages of easy-to-read instructions and over 1,000 carefully annotated screen shots to guide you to iPad mastery. With iPad Made Simple, you’ll never be left wondering, “How did they do that?” What you’ll…

Skype Hacks: Tips & Tools for Cheap, Fun, Innovative Phone Service $8.00 If you’ve heard about Skype–and who hasn’t with all the recent media attention devoted to internet telephone services–chances are you’ve been mighty tempted to try it out. Skype Hacks tells you what all the Skype hype is about, explains the basics, and shows you more than 100 clever tips and tricks for tweaking and tuning Skype to make it do just what you want and more. Millions of people (48 mi…

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, 1080p Widescreen Video Calling and Recording (960-000764) $70.25 The Logitech 960-000764 C920 HD Pro Webcam takes video call quality to another level with its 1080p high-definition video capture. It also has a maximum resolution of 15MP to provide photos with amazing quality. This webcam has a built-in dual stereo microphone, making it ideal for video calls. With these features, video conferencing has never been as much fun; get one now….

Skype For Dummies $27.99 See how to use Skype for secure chats and connect SkypeOut and SkypeIN. Here’s the fun and easy way (r) to understand all the hype about Skype and make this cool alternative communication system work for you! You’ll get great advice about hardware, directions for downloading and installing Skype, ideas for using Skype in your business, and the lowdown on making Skype calls to people with old-fashioned phones. Discover how to: Install Skype and start making calls Create a contacts list Set up voicemail and call forwarding Use Skype for worldwide conference calls and Skypecasting Enhance Skype with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi wireless, and video

SKYPE MICROPHONE $11.99 SKYPE MICROPHONE

SKYPE TV CAMERA 720P $101.99 SKYPE TV CAMERA 720P

Skype Hacks $19.99 If you’ve heard about Skype–and who hasn’t with all the recent media attention devoted to internet telephone services–chances are you’ve been mighty tempted to try it out. Skype Hacks tells you what all the Skype hype is about, explains the basics, and shows you more than 100 clever tips and tricks for tweaking and tuning Skype to make it do just what you want and more. Millions of people (48 million and counting, in fact) have opted for Skype, which uses peer-to-peer (P2P) technology to turn any PC, Mac, or Pocket PC into a telephone. Skype offers free calls between computers and extremely cheap calls to “old-fashioned” phone numbers (landlines and mobile phones). The sound quality is excellent, and end-to-end encryption means the connection is private and secure. But if you really know what you’re doing, Skype can accomplish a whole lot more than that. Software developer and author Andrew Sheppard recently converted his entire house to Skype and uses it for all his personal and business calls, even when he’s traveling. In Skype Hacks , he shows you how to do things with the technology that even the engineers at Skype probably never intended. Skype Hacks shows you how to: Get started with Skype Figure out how much money you’re saving and maximize your savings Cut the ties to your old phone company Optimize your Skype configuration Integrate Skype with desktop tools like Microsoft Office and your web browser Set up a Skype-based call center The book offers ideas for creating and organizing a contacts list, using Skype to transfer files, taking advantage of chat and voicemail capabilities, turning a PDA into a mobile phone, and automating Skype for even greater efficiency. So whether you’d simply like to give Skype a trial run, you want new Skype ring tones and fun on-hold music, or you’re considering wiring your home with Skype to get rid of “regular” phone service altogether, Skype Hacks is your ideal guide.

Skype™ $23.99 This is the eBook version of the printed book. Learn how to make free phone calls to more than 75 million people, and dirt-cheap phone calls to practically everyone else, anywhere on Earth! You can do it with Skype. This book will help you get started fast, with any computer: Windows, Mac, Linux, even Pocket PC. Then, take Skype to the limit, with SkypeIn, SkypeOut, instant messaging, secure file transfer, even video calling.   Set up and customize Skype in just minutes Take Skype on the road–avoid expensive hotel phones and international calls Transform your PC into a state-of-the-art Skype videophone Troubleshoot Skype connections and audio quality Discover even more ways to save money, simplify life, even build your business!   Written by Skype insiders, this is the only official guide to Skype. It's up-to-date, easy-to-use, quick, simple . . . and above all, FUN! Bonus coverage for more experienced users: Skype architecture, security, and advanced configuration.