Skype is a godsend when we wish to keep in touch with long distance friends and family. Being able to communicate with family and friends on video certainly helps forge and keep bonds. The best part is that Skype is free to use, and is available to anyone with an internet connection.

However, do the benefits of Skype translate over to enterprises? To be fair, Skype technology can be useful to SMEs where one-on-one meetings are conducted occasionally. However, larger enterprise that require frequent business meetings should consider investing in a good video conferencing system, even though it adds to overhead costs.

With dedicated video conferencing systems, quality of video calls improve dramatically; enhancing the professional image of the company as well as providing access to a dedicated support team that can respond promptly and provide support, if required.

Skype is most closely compared with desktop based video solutions.  However, in terms of call quality, especially in group conferences, Skype simply cannot compete with specialised video conferencing solutions. Whilst advanced technology might not be needed for a casual chat with friends, it is crucial in helping enterprises get key information across to business partners professionally and efficiently.

You would notice that Skype only allows calls to other Skype users whereas a desktop based video solution would allow calls anywhere. The resolution of Skype’s video (320 or 640p) is also much lower than a desktop based video solution (1020p). Skype is limited to 100 hours a month for group chats, whereas video solutions are unlimited or pay as you go. 100 hours a month for group chats may be perfectly fine for consumers, but is severely limiting for corporate use.

Skype makes use of peer to peer technology in which Skype users become supernodes. This allows Skype to tap on your bandwidth to route other calls, often slowing down your computer. It can be seen as an exchange of a free product that Skype offers to consumers. A dedicated video conferencing system, however, ensures a secure connection.

Skype users are often subject to frustration when their chat hangs or lags. With video conferencing solutions, highly advanced technology such as Vidyo’s video adaptive layering adjusts the optimal resolution and quality of the video at each end-point according to each participant’s bandwidth. The end result is a dynamic layering of multiple resolutions and quality, and one participant’s slow internet connection will not affect the rest of the group.

Many video conferencing systems also have add on features such as the ability to record video conferences or do annotations. As Skype is only designed for consumer use, such features are not available.

Lastly, in a mobile world such as ours, many choose to have meetings on the go, making use of smartphones and mobile devices such as the iPhone or iPad. Enterprise video conferencing solutions offer plug-ins that allows people to communicate using their mobile devices, allowing meetings to be taken on the go. Skype however, only features voice function for group chats.

To be sure, Skype has a role to play, at home for private calls, and even in SMEs that do not rely heavily on video conferencing. However, if video conferencing looks to be a big part of business operations, with all the obvious differences in quality between a video call using Skype versus a dedicated video conference solution, it definitely makes sound business sense to invest in an enterprise system.