Microsoft launches Skype-centered hub for small businesses - lujanthicents

Microsoft has disclosed a commercial networking sitewhere small businesses can promote their products and services and interact with potential difference customers and partners mainly using Skype.

The unweathered website, called Skype in the Workspace (SITW), is free and already being used by astir 500 small businesses that began participating in it during its six-month beta period, Microsoft said on Thursday.

Skype lets users communicate via IM, group video conferencing and IP telephony, and Microsoft hopes that the SITW site will show entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses how they can use of goods and services Skype to increase sales, find new customers, market their wares and tie with experts for advice.

After joining the site with a Skype or LinkedIn account, companies behind post invitations on SITW to potential customers and partners fascinated in learning more around their job via Skype sessions. Users can also share their SITW actions on their Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.

Microsoft bought Skype for USA$8.5 1000000000 in October of last twelvemonth, and has said from the bulge that it has massive plans for it beyond maintaining it as a split up Service.

Before this week, Microsoft stunned many industry observers with its announcement that IT bequeath close Windows Live Courier side by side year — except in mainland China — and that its users need to migrate over to Skype. Microsoft is besides in use working to desegregate Skype into its enterprise productiveness and collaboration products, including Office, Lync and SharePoint.

Juan Carlos Perez covers initiative communication/collaboration suites, operative systems, browsers and general engineering breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Juan on Twitter at @JuanCPerezIDG.