Forum Discussion
MSI Installation?
Is there a way to deploy the MSI installation of Skype for Business? We need to deploy Skype for Business 2016 via SCCM to a client with a mixture of Office 2010, 2013, and 2016, all MSI installations, and connect to Skype for Business Online. They refuse to use Click to Run, otherwise that's easy and we'd do that. I've downloaded a Skype for Business 2016 iso from Volume Licensing, but it doesn't seem to update when I update via https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dn788954.aspx - the version number or UI never changes.
If there's a guide out there somewhere, I definitely haven't found it.
8 Replies
We struggle with this scenario in conference rooms. We'd like to have a C2R version that doesn't require activation, where the PC auto-logs in as the conference room account. Each user of the room has a license, but because it's C2R, it requires activation and a license.
Couldn't you deploy it this way? https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/DeployOffice/overview-of-shared-computer-activation-for-office-365-proplus?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US
(I ask because we are going to be going to C2R and have to look at what we are going to do for shared)
The full version of Skype for Business client is licensed software, that comes as part of business versions of Office. Are their users licensed to use the standalone version? Why not install Pro Plus C2R and turn off everything but Skype.
They are just not willing to use the C2R version of anything at this point - as part of rolling out Skype for Business Online, they will be licensed for Skype for Business, but they will either have Office 2010, 2013, or 2016 MSI installed on their desktops. I'm thinking they could either A. enable Skype for Business in those installations, or B. rollout the Skype for Business 2016 Basic client to everyone via MSI install in SCCM. I agree using C2R would be simpler, and have already provided guidance on how to do that.
Your problem is that Office 365 only supports the Office 2016 now, so Skype for Business 2016. Others may work but support for them stopped a year after 2016 shipped. B. Would be fine, but Skype Basic is well, basic.
Why not jump ahead straight to Teams, they'll need to end up there at some point. There are some feature gaps that are being plugged, but the basics around meeting and calling are all in place.
