According to the latest news by a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), Microsoft is seriously considering to add a Standard Edition to its Skype for Business Server 2019 about to released towards the end of this year. There is much anticipation about the offerings Microsoft has planned for its Skype4B users. With features like Hybrid Modern Authentication support for all user located anywhere in the world, improved WebRTC support that makes web meeting a better experience for customers and making the SfB Server 2019 based on a version of a cloud based code of Skype for Business Online, Skype for Business 2019 sure looks promising, let’s have a deeper look at some other features the product has to offer.
Deployment Requirements
A minimum of SQL 2016 and Windows 2016 is now required to run Skype for Business Server 2019. The availability of in-place upgrades is also becoming extinct in the upcoming Skype for business server version. Further, direct roles have also been dropped out of system. The new version will not support the side by side deployment of Cloud Connector Edition (CCE). However, it will support side by side up gradation from Lync 2013 or Skype for Business Server 2015.
Standard Edition vs Enterprise Edition
The upcoming Skype for business Server 2019 will not include the option for the deployment of Standard Edition server. Rather, it will be supporting to upgrade the Enterprise edition with a single server node instead. Yes, the announcement raised a few eyebrows at the Ignite conference but the announcement is for good. An entirely separate Backend SQL server will be a basic requirement for a single server deployment. It is to encourage the customers that form the smaller market to come to the cloud option rather than keep on developing on-premises Standard Edition servers.
Cloud Services
The on-premises users will now be able to access the same apps as the cloud users do. It is, however, possible only if it is deployed in a hybrid topology.
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Other Announcements
- Silverlight is deprecated
- Skype for business Server 2019 will be backward compatible with UCWA/UCMA along with the service of smooth transition using Third-Party Add-ons and customer developed applications.
- Enhanced interoperability and migration to Microsoft Teams. Teams are the preferred clients of Microsoft Skype for business Server 2019, as previously mentioned in a Microsoft announcement.
- Another feature that will be deprecated is Direct Server role
- Cloud Connector edition will coexist with the Skype for business Server 2019
- A single portal for call reporting and analytics.
- Auto attendants will be integrated as a standard along with voice mail and call queues. These will be integrated with reduced server dependency.
MachPanel – an efficientsolution
MachPanel offers a smooth experience of Enterprise Voice with its Skype for Business Automation that supports Skype for business Server 2015, Lync 2013 and 2010. MachPanel is suitable for service providers who want to control and manage clients and their communication infrastructure in a flexible and efficient manner. It provides a centralized control panel for the management of End customers, along with Providers and Resellers. With MachPanel Automation Module for Microsoft Skype for Business, Selling, Billing, Provisioning, reporting, Dial plans manipulation, Phone numbers inventory management, persistent chats and response groups can be managed with comfort.