Skype is getting an integration into Slack, thanks to a beta version of Microsoft’s video and audio communication service, as indicated by the Redmond company in a blog post.
Slack is a very popular instant messaging solution, which owes much of its success to the wide range of third-party services it integrates.
Related reading : Slack, the best tool for remote collaboration
These third-party applications and related services certified by Slack are listed in the App Directory.
Skype is already included in this extensive inventory, which features a wide array of services (Uber, Foursquare, Dropbox…).
See also : Which insurances accept drivers with cancellations or penalties?
It is now possible to initiate audio and video calls with Skype directly from Slack.
It’s hard for Microsoft to overlook this rapidly growing service. “We are making Skype available on multiple platforms and continue to explore other ways to help you stay connected.”
At the end of 2015, Slack indeed had 2 million active users per day. This is a 16% increase from last October (1.7 million users). But more importantly, it is an 82% increase from the end of June 2015. At that time, Slack reported having reached 1.1 million daily users, including 300,000 paying for a premium version of the service. They now have 570,000 paying users.
Before being able to use it from Slack, it is necessary to set up the Skype integration in Slack. To do this, simply go to the “Skype integration for Slack” page and click the “Add to Slack” button to complete the process.
To initiate a Skype call (audio or video), the user just needs to type “/Skype” in the Slack chat. A link is then generated, allowing team members to join the conference call or video. There is no need to have a Skype account for this, as any invited collaborator can participate in the conference call.
Moreover, this integration is independent of the platform on which Slack is used (via the web, on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android). On computers, a simple internet browser is sufficient for Skype, while mobile applications are required on smartphones.
Collaborative instant messaging services for professionals are on the rise, attracting the interest of IT giants. It must be said that with an estimated valuation of $2.8 billion (in 2014), Slack certainly has the potential to generate interest.
The same goes for Atlassian, a direct competitor of Slack, which publishes HipChat and recently went public. Other competitors include Flowdock from Rally Software, Chatgrape, and Socialcast from VMware.
Read more on intronaut.net