On July 1, Skype for Business—the enterprise chat and web meeting tool—will be upgraded to Microsoft Teams. In advance of this change, the University community is encouraged to explore the benefits and functionality of Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Virtual meetings, on or after July 1, will require scheduling via Teams or Zoom. Skype will no longer be available. The following information tells you more about the change and offers answers to frequently asked questions.
Q: What happens to my Skype for Business account after July 1?
Skype for Business will no longer be accessible through your University account. If you have any other contacts stored within Skype (e.g., people outside of the University of Miami), we recommend saving this information before July 1.
Q: What happens to existing Skype for Business meetings?
Skype for Business meetings that were scheduled before July 1, will still be on your Outlook calendar and will be hosted in Skype for Business. After July 1, online meetings created in Skype will be hosted in Teams. In both cases, join the meeting by clicking the link in the Outlook meeting invitation and follow the prompts.
Q: Are my Skype for Business contacts and group contacts available in Microsoft Teams?
Yes. After July 1, Skype for Business contacts will be displayed on Teams—but it may take time and will depend on the total quantity of your lists.
Q: Where can I learn more about Teams and Zoom?
Experts from the University of Miami Information Technology team have compiled resources and training materials to help navigate both Teams and Zoom. Visit the UMIT Zoom service page to learn more about scheduling and hosting meetings, and visit the UMIT Teams service page for additional information on chat features, file storage, contacts, and collaboration tools.
Access quick tips for Microsoft Teams via LinkedIn Learning, an on-demand learning solution designed to help you gain new professional skills and advance your career. The 24-minute course shares a series of tips to help users sharpen their skills and leverage all that the communication tool has to offer, including working with teams, customizing the interface, setting up notifications, and running meetings.
View additional resources, including training and frequently asked questions. The UMIT Service Desk is available 24/7 to provide support. Call 305-284-6565 or email help@miami.edu for assistance.
