Introduced in 2003, Skype is a software program that allows its users to talk for free, via Internet communication, when both users have the Skype application. When both parties are using Skype, they can video conference or carry on a voice conversation without the use of phone lines or mobile networks. Skype can be used to make local and international calls, send SMS to cellular phones and more.http://about.skype.com/

Skype is a Voice over Internet protocol or VoIP. Rather than making phone calls using towers and cellular networks, or PSTN (Public Switched Telephone), Skype uses a SIP (similar to the TCP/IP) to send messages on the same network that brings you email and web pages.http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-how-does-skype-work/

Because of its many applications, companies may use this to provide telecommunications solutions for conferencing or keeping in touch with international clients and partners. Alternatively, many businesses have limited employee's access to such programs to avoid misuse and a decrease in productivity. This page illustrates how to use Skype at work, whether business or personal.

For businesses, Skype can be a cost effective way to communicate between offices and hold small video conferences.

Skype Business Features

Unlimited calls between Skype users are free. Clients, offices and other business contacts can communicate for no cost when each uses their Skype account.

For low rates, Skype users can call phone numbers without the other party needing to have the application. Business users can either pay per call, or sign up for an unlimited subscription. This subscription allows users to make unlimited calls within their geographical range to any land line number. http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/subscriptions/?region=uscanada#worldSubscriptionTabCalls to mobile numbers can be made using Skype credits. http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/skypecredit/

US and Canada $2.95 per month Unlimited Country $5.95 per month Unlimited World $12.95 per month

Pay per calls are subject to a connection fee,http://www.skype.com/prices/callrates/connectionfee/ and each call is $.021 cents per minute USD.

Business users can also take advantage of having a Skype phone number. For $60 USD users can enjoy the convenience of having a Skype number for 12 months. http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/onlinenumber/ There are also other options such as voice mail and caller identification that users can subscribe to for additional fees. http://www.skype.com/prices/

Video conferencing, instant messaging and video calls are all free for Skype users. This can be a great savings to small businesses and those that conduct business with international clients.

Before using any computer program or accessing the Internet at work, be sure to find out the policy in regards to computer access for personal use. Some companies have limited and restricted employee access to personal web sites such as Facebook, Myspace and email applications. But this doesn't mean that it can not be done. Understand what risks may be involved that could include disciplinary actions or termination.

In the event that your work computer has full access to the Internet, you'll need to know if there are monitoring programs that the system administrators use see what pages and sites users on the network are visiting. If this is the case, you can hide your Internet activity by using a web proxy. This is a bypass, which connects you to the proxy, rather than the web site's URL. Allowing monitors to only see the proxy as being visited, not your intended site. When downloading Skype, use a proxy to navigate to the Skype web site. </ref>http://proxy.org/</ref>

There could also be monitoring systems in place that record the key strokes on any computer within a network. This allows the administrator to see what activity is being conducted on the computer, without having to be connected to the Internet. Using this method of monitoring is common for productivity issues or accessing computers from a central location to perform specific tasks. http://www.buzzsurf.com/surfatwork/

An alternative to downloading the software to your computer, is to use a USB or thumb drive to store the application. From your home computer, download and save the Skype file to a removable drive such as a USB drive. When using a work computer, install the USB drive and run the application from the driver file. When saving the file onto the drive, create a batch file using Notepad into the \Skype folder naming it runSkype.bat. Place the following line in the batch file: start skype.exe /removable /datapath:"\Skype" http://www.amperordirect.com/pc/r-skype-voip/z-reference-skype-on-a-stick.html When you are ready to use the file, run Skype.bat rather than the exe. file to avoid an error.

To protect telecommunications revenue, several countries have placed restrictions for using Skype. Belize, Brazil, Mexico, China, Columbia, Cuba, Panama and some countries in middle East Asia have limited users access to Skype.

Using a VPN or Virtual Private Network, users can remove the filters and provide an encrypted connection to Skype. For a modest fee, you can purchase access to a VPN, then configure your computer Internet settings to allow for access. These steps will show how to avoid this restriction and connect to Skype.http://www.amperordirect.com/pc/r-skype-voip/z-reference-skype-unblocked.htmlThese directions are for the process on a Windows XP system, but are similar for Vista and Windows 7.

1. Purchase VPN access.
2. Connect to the Internet using the local provider.
3. On a computer with Windows XP software, access Start Menu>Settings>Network Connection> Network Connection Wizard
4. Select Connect To Workplace Network
5. Choose Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection
6. Enter a name for the connection
7. If it is not necessary to dial the Internet before you can connect, choose Do Not Dial Initial Connection
8. Enter the VPN server host name, this is the connection for your chosen VPN
9. If you would like to add a desktop shortcut, you can choose it at this time. Then click Finish.

You will now be able to login to your VPN and connect to Skype without restrictions.