Skype for Business Server

by
Jim Gaynor

by
Jim Gaynor

Jim leads the Directions on Microsoft editorial team and has been writing about technology since the early 1990s. Most recently... more

Skype for Business Server provides a unified communications solution for voice, chat, and video communication, as well as “enterprise voice” capabilities to integrate with or replace on-premises private branch exchange (PBX) telephone systems. It works with client applications for desktop PCs and mobile devices, and it provides a limited browser interface for conference attendees. However, Teams is Microsoft’s focus for unified communication and collaboration. Although the latest version, Skype for Business Server SE, will be supported until at least 2035, it’s unlikely to receive more than quality, bug, and compatibility updates.

Product: Skype for Business Server

Licensing: Skype for Business Server Licensing

Near Term (2026)

The near-term roadmap is focused on Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE), released in July 2025, and the end of Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Skype for Business Server 2015 and 2019 in Apr. 2026.

Skype for Business Server SE serves customers who want an on-premises unified communications solution for regulatory or compliance purposes or for scenarios or integrations not supported by Teams. Compared to previous versions, Skype for Business Server SE introduces significant changes that impact costs, migration planning, and ongoing support: