Skype for Business Server SE now available because Teams can't solve one problem

It seems that Microsoft can't truly kill off Skype once and for all, and the culprit this time around seems to be a missing configuration in Teams.

It feels like we've been hearing about the death of Skype for ages now. And to be fair, Skype is dead, but Skype for Business Server isn't. For those unaware, the difference between Skype and Skype for Business Server is analogous to Exchange Online and Exchange Server. Skype was the online communication platform hosted on the cloud - which was replaced by Microsoft Teams -, while Skype for Business Server is the on-premise solution for the same purpose, and Microsoft does not offer an alternative to it currently. This is why the Redmond tech firm has announced the general availability of Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition (SE).

While the existing numbered versions of Skype for Business Server - namely 2015 and 2019 - are reaching end of life on the same date as Windows 10, Skype for Business SE serves as a way to offer support beyond that through a subscription-based model. It follows Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy, which entails that a software is supported as long as customers keep their configurations up to date.

That said, it is worth highlighting that this model mainly mandates Microsoft to provide licensing and servicing for the evergreen product, and it will get no major feature updates. In addition, IT admins should keep in mind that SE can be installed as an in-place cumulative update to Skype for Business Server 2015 or 2019. Microsoft has encouraged existing customers to follow this upgrade path as soon as possible because the numbered versions will lose support on October 14, 2025. In terms of configurations and pre-requisites, Skype for Business Server SE is identical to Skype for Business Server 2019, with the only differences being a rebrand, a version number change, and an updated license agreement.

That said, once we reach October 14, 2025, Skype for Business Server SE will be the only supported version of this product. Although the numbered and subscription versions can currently coexist, a future update will restrict the presence or installation of Skype for Business Server 2015 or 2019. Skype for Business Server SE will continue receiving cumulative updates, features, modernization of the installation process, and security updates.

It seems like there is no way for Skype to truly die because Teams does not currently offer on-premises installation options. This is something that Microsoft recognizes, which is probably why it has allowed Skype for Business Server to follow the Modern Lifecycle Policy where it can continue charging customers who don't want to, or can't, migrate to the cloud.