Microsoft announced to bring Skype for Business to the Mac

A web camera is seen in front of a Skype logo in this photo illustration taken in Zenica, May 26, 2015. Reuters/Dado Ruvic

Microsoft, on Tuesday, announced to introduce Skype for Business Mac Preview. The public preview will bring in expanded business-focused services to the Mac.

“Commercial customers can request an invite to test the Mac client at www.SkypePreview.com. We’ll start by issuing invites to IT administrators to download the client and gradually expand the preview to everyone in the coming weeks,” announced Microsoft in a blog post.

“Once the IT administrator downloads the preview client, they can manage its distribution to end users within their organization,” added the Skype for Business Team.

The Skype for Business Mac Preview will be released in “three cumulative stages .” For the time being, Microsoft has planned to release the software for public by the third quarter of 2016.

In the first phase, after signing in, the Skype for Business Mac users will be able to see meetings through Outlook calendar integration. The second phase of the Public Preview will see integration of instant messaging, presence and contacts. And finally, in the third and last phase, Microsoft will add support for telephony and other related features.

Users can continue to use Lync for Mac 2011 along with Skype for Mac Preview, confirmed Microsoft.

Skype for Business has been specifically designed for commercial users and offers enhanced services to the business users. The business related communication app allows up to 250 people on a call whereas the standard Skype has a 25 person limit.

Moreover, the Skype for Business Mac Preview will also integrate the new Office 2016. The enhanced collaboration will also include People hub, Activity feed and Comments, mentioned Kirk Koenigsbauer, corporate vice president for the Office team in a blog post.