Skype for business vs. Jabber - considerations

[cheryl.alvarado]

We are at the point of choosing between Jabber vs. Skype for Business as our IM and presence application.  Our Lync server is currently on-premise, but will soon be moving to the Microsoft cloud.  We are committed to Cisco CUCM for voice and video.

I am more familiar with the CUCM/Jabber side of the discussion than the Microsoft/Lync/Skype side, and am unsure what integration (besides CUCILync) is available if we choose Skype over Jabber.  For example, is it possible to configure a sip trunk from a cloud-based Skype for Business to our CUCM?  Would this require 3rd party hardware or software?

Can anyone point me to a list of things to consider when making this decision?

[wbalanqu]

Hi Cheryl,

There are certain options to integrate Skype for Business with CUCM. The solution should not require any additional hardware. You can refer to this release not for the integration requirements. http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucilync/10_6/CUCI_BK_CE922F5E_00_cucilync_10-6_releasenotes/release_notes.html

In choosing the right solution, Skype for Business and Cisco Jabber share pretty similar applications that can give you superior quality experience for your organization’s unified communications. Both offer instant messaging, voice messages, voice & video calls, desk phone calls, attachments and Office integrations etc. In your case, I suggest going with the solution where you can have seamless single vendor support to avoid complexity.

Tony

[skilambi]

Outside of CUCI LYNC which means single call control (aka UCM), any other integration means dual call control strategies. You can integrate cloud O365 to UCM as noted here

CUCM Integration with Office 365

Other integration options include cloud options like CMR(soon to be released for O365), Blue Jeans or Pexip

If you believe in a single call control strategy then CUCI Lync is your best option unless you go Jabber end to end for IM/P/Voice/Video

Of course you also now have spark in the mix :-)