It's a question many of us have pondered: how do I find and connect with my old Skype buddies when I'm using Skype for Business? The good news is, it's often quite straightforward, though there are a few nuances to keep in mind.
Think of it like this: if you're already a seasoned Skype user, you know the drill – a quick search in the Skype directory usually does the trick. Well, when your organization's administrator has enabled it, Skype for Business taps into that very same directory. So, the process becomes remarkably similar.
Here's how you'd typically go about it: you'll find a search box, and that's where the magic begins. You can type in a person's Skype Name, their full name, or even their email address. Once you've entered that information, you'll want to click on the 'Skype Directory' tab. This tells the system to look beyond just your immediate contacts and search the wider Skype universe.
When you see the list of people who match your search, hovering over their picture will reveal your options. You can usually send them a message, initiate a voice or video call, or, most importantly, add them to your contacts list. If you're looking to organize your contacts, you can even right-click their picture and choose to add them to your 'Favorites' or a specific contact list.
Now, a little heads-up: when you add someone this way, their status will show as 'Pending.' This means they need to log into their Skype account and accept your chat request. It's a bit like sending a friend request on social media. If for some reason they don't receive your request, a simple solution is often for them to send you a chat request first. This usually helps establish the connection between the two services.
It's worth noting a couple of limitations, though. If you're on a Mac using Skype for Business, you won't be able to search for or communicate with people who are solely using the free Skype app. Also, while you can find Skype users, they can't search for Skype for Business users. And for those using older versions like Lync, they can't directly search the Skype directory themselves – your IT department plays a role in how these connections are managed.
So, what kind of information helps narrow down your search? Pretty much anything that uniquely identifies someone. You can search by name (even just a part of it), their specific Skype Name, their location (like 'in Chicago, Illinois'), or their email address. The more specific you are, the quicker you'll find the person you're looking for.
Ultimately, the ability to search the Skype directory from Skype for Business hinges on your IT administrator enabling that specific feature. If you're having trouble, it's always a good idea to check with your IT department to ensure the setting 'Let Skype for Business users add Skype contacts' is activated.
