Skype Decommissioning

Overview of the Skype decommissioning process for employees

Starting in June 2021, ESDC will begin disabling employee Skype for Business accounts. You will receive an email with the specific date that your Skype account will be disabled several weeks ahead of time. Once your account is disabled, your Skype application will not function for instant messages or meetings, and you will need to use Microsoft Teams (Teams) instead.

How to prepare for Skype decommissioning

If you haven’t used Teams before or are still using Skype, you are encouraged to “make the switch” to Teams as your default communication tool as soon as possible. You can:

• If you are new to Teams, confirm that you can access your Teams account by opening the application on your device.
• Learn more about the basics of Teams, like managing your notifications, by visiting the Getting Started & Learning page on iService or asking your onboarding questions directly to the Office 365 Help Team.
• Update your “presence indicator” so that your status in Outlook (e.g., Busy, Away, In a Meeting) is linked to your Teams account instead of your Skype account.
• Update any Outlook calendar invites that use Skype links with Teams links to avoid scheduling interruptions. If you are missing the “Teams” meeting button in Outlook, visit the Microsoft Teams – FAQ page.
• Report any technical issues related to Skype or Teams that you are experiencing to the National Service Desk (1-800-268-0408).

Important information about ESDC’s transition from Skype to Teams

Unlike in Skype, your chat messages in Teams are not automatically deleted once you close the Teams application. For guidance on how to manage your information in Teams, visit Information Management Best Practices in Teams or contact your branch or region Information Management Lead.

During the Skype decommissioning process, some confusion may result when communicating with your colleagues, some of whom may still be using Skype. If you are already using Teams as your default communication application, we encourage you to promote it to your colleagues.

As of February 2021, new employees to ESDC are no longer receiving Skype accounts during their onboarding. New employees now receive access to Microsoft Teams.

During the decommissioning process, Skype will be disabled, but not immediately uninstalled, from your device. Skype uninstallation will occur at a later date. You may continue to see the Skype icon on your computer even after your account has been disabled.

Common Features of Skype and Microsoft Teams (video)

Transitioning from Skype to Teams:

You will no longer be able to use Skype for Business by August 1^st. We will start the decommissioning exercise on June 12, 2021. Over the next three weeks, we will complete the exercise in all branches and regions.