Skype for Business Server Is Shutting Down: 10 On-Premise Alternatives to Consider
Time is running out for Skype business users!
Microsoft has officially retired Skype for Business Online as of July 31, 2021. Additionally, the extended support is set to conclude in October 2025.
If you still haven’t migrated, what does this mean to you?
Once extended support ends, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates. This may lead to severe business risks if they continue to operate on-premises.
The clock is ticking. You need to switch to a new communication and collaboration tool. Microsoft recommends its Teams app as an alternative. However some organizations still prefer on-premise solutions to have full control over their data, and to easily integrate with existing infrastructure.
Where to find the alternatives?
In this article, I’ll walk you through 10 on-premise alternatives to Skype for Business Server, along with key details of the solution providers.
Table of Contents
10 Best On-premise Servers For Skype Business Replacement
Microsoft shut down Skype for Business to push companies away from managing their own servers and toward Microsoft Teams, its cloud based solution. But the move is not favorable for most businesses.
Moving to the cloud can mean relying on internet connectivity, so any downtime may stop ongoing work. You will also have less control over your data since it’s stored on Microsoft’s servers.
But there’s always a way out.
Here are the top 10 on-premise communication solutions that you can switch to, if Microsoft Teams is not your choice.
1. MirrorFly
| Why is MirrorFly’s on-prem solution better than Skype Business server? It’s 100% customizable, gives data sovereignty, and allows white-labeling, which no other on-premise server, including Skype, comes with. |
Businesses that are not OK with moving to Cloud as suggested by Microsoft will find MirrorFly as the best choice.
MS Teams is great. Yet, a company cannot customize it as much as it can with its own platform. On the other hand, there are only limited options to add branding elements.
If the only option left with them is to build their own platform, developing one from scratch with hand-coding would take years. The solution? APIs and SDKs.
Oh yes, the on-prem solution – MirrorFly has it. You can deploy your platform on any server you prefer, which means you have full control over the features, infrastructure, security and data.
The video meetings built on MirrorFly are super-smooth as the solution supports adaptive frame bitrate. Instant messages get delivered even faster than a blink of an eye, as MirrorFly comes with 99.999% uptime SLA and an average response time of less than 3 ms.
What features do MirrorFly offer?
- Real-time messaging and topic-based messaging that are great for team communication
- HD video calls backed by WebRTC and SIP/ VoIP protocols
- HQ voice calling with crystal-clear
- Complete Source Code
- Lifetime Data Ownership
- Deploy on Own Server
2. Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM)
| Why is CUCM better than Skype Business server? CUCM comes with Cisco’s complete set of products and large enterprises prefer them. |
CUCM performs better than Skype for Business Server, particularly if your organization has 100+ employees.
Skype for Business provides basic communication tools. But CUCM goes a step ahead. It comes with better voice and video quality, and gives all the modern communication capabilities to manage the incoming and outgoing calls.
Guess what? CUCM is cleanly compatible with Cisco’s other products:
Want to know which of them? Here’s the list:
- Cisco IP Phones
- Cisco ISR
- Cisco CUBE
- Cisco Webex Meetings and Webex Room Devices
- Cisco Unity Connection
- Cisco Emergency Responder
Key Features:
- Business-level voice and video calling with crystal-clear quality
- Smart call routing, control options, and built-in messaging
- Strong security protection and compliance features
- Easy connection with Cisco Webex and other outside applications
3. Avaya Aura
| Why is Avaya Aura better than Skype Business server? If your company is focusing on reliability and security, Avaya could be one strong, legacy-compatible on-premise system. |
Avaya Aura delivers better results than Skype for Business Server with its durable and dependable structure that maintains communications during difficulties.
Skype is known for having problems during peak usage. But Avaya Aura’s platform remains stable even under heavy load. It also comes with more sophisticated internet-based telephone functions. This is a great advantage for companies to manage their inbound and outbound calls easily.
There are also different types of messages that you can implement with Aura. Sometimes customers have felt Skype hasn’t been as versatile with features as Aura is.
Even if you are using older systems, you need not worry. Avaya Aura connects better with your existing equipment, making the transition to newer technology smoother and less disruptive.
Key Features:
- Advanced internet-based phone and meeting capabilities
- Combined messaging and complete call management
- Secure, on-site installation ensuring continuous availability
- Works with Avaya’s collection of teamwork tools for a full communication solution
4. Mitel MiVoice Business
| Why is Mitel MiVoice better than Skype Business server? You’ll find the most secure contact center features and get support for different communication channels. |
Mitel MiVoice Business works better than Skype for Business Server because it has smarter call routing and better contact center tools.
MiVoice is considered better than Skype as it gives you more control over how calls move through your company. It connects more easily with customer management systems than Skype actually did.
Key Features:
- Reliable internet-based phone system with smart call routing
- Combined messaging and built-in contact center solutions
- Flexible setup options, including on-site and mixed systems
- Works well with customer management and other business tools
5. Unify OpenScape
| Why is Unify OpenScape better than Skype Business server? If you are looking for a connected communication solution, this could be the server you need for your team. |
We say Unify OpenScape is better than Skype for Business Server because you can customize it without limits.
Skype for Business usually needed workarounds for certain business tasks. OpenScape can be set up in more ways to match what your organization needs. Its team tools are designed with better attention to how people work together, with more user-friendly screens than Skype’s sometimes clunky experience.
OpenScape also connects more smoothly with customer management systems, reducing the problems Skype users often had when trying to connect different systems.
Key Features:
- High-quality voice and video communication
- Advanced call management, routing, and team tools
- Easy connection with customer management systems and productivity tools
- Can be customized to fit different business needs
6. Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX Enterprise
| Why is Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX Enterprise better than Skype Business server? Do you run complex business operations everyday and need a strong on-prem server that can handle it all? Go for Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX! |
OmniPCX Enterprise performs better than Skype for Business Server especially in critical situations. Its system is built to work more consistently under pressure than Skype for Business Server could deliver.
OmniPCX is good at supporting older systems. This does not mean it’s not fine with modern features. OmniPCX makes the latest tech in communication easier to implement. Organizations with complex existing equipment will find it easy to switch to OmniPCX. It can also handle high volumes of messages better unlike the experience with Skype.
7. NEC UNIVERGE SV9500
| Why is NEC UNIVERGE SV9500 better than Skype Business server? NEC UNIVERGE SV9500 is a high-capacity on-prem solution when compared to Skype! |
NEC UNIVERGE SV9500 fixes Skype for Business Server’s limitations in handling large company environments. Its call routing capabilities are more advanced, allowing for more complex call patterns than Skype could manage.
SV9500’s security is stronger, providing better protection against modern threats than Skype’s older security approach. It also works better in busy communication environments where Skype would often slow down.
The option to use both on-site equipment and cloud services gives more flexibility than Microsoft’s more rigid approach with Skype for Business Server.
8. 3CX
| Why is 3CX better than Skype Business server? It’s affordable. That’s a good reason for small to medium-sized businesses to get started with this communication solution. |
3CX offers big advantages over Skype for Business Server particularly in cost and ease of management.
While Skype for Business needed substantial IT resources to maintain, 3CX has a more user-friendly interface that makes administration easier. It works with Microsoft 365 and customer management applications more simply than Skype’s sometimes complex connection requirements.
3CX’s pricing model is typically clearer and more cost-effective than Microsoft’s approach with Skype for Business, making total cost more predictable and often lower for similar features.
9. Wildix Unified Communications
| Why is Wildix Unified Communications better than Skype Business server? Everything is moving towards automation. If your choice is an automated + secure on-prem solution, Wildix could be a great option. |
Wildix Unified Communications improves upon Skype for Business Server through its better security design and modern AI-powered features.
Where Skype for Business offers basic encryption, Wildix uses end-to-end encryption for all communication channels. Its customer support automation features are much better than anything available in Skype for Business, allowing for more efficient handling of customer interactions.
Wildix’s workflow management tools also provide more customization for business processes than what was possible in Skype for Business’s relatively standard approach.
10. Grandstream UCM Series
| Why is Grandstream UCM Series better than Skype Business server? Worried about compromising functionality over cost? Balance both with Grandstream’s on-site chat system. |
Grandstream UCM Series provides advantages over Skype for Business Server primarily through its value and straightforward scaling. Its internet-based calling capabilities offer similar quality to Skype for Business but usually at a lower price. The system’s automated answering and call routing features are easier to set up than Skype’s sometimes complex administration interface.
Grandstream’s connection with third-party applications is also typically less complicated than what Skype for Business requires, reducing setup time and costs.
For growing organizations, Grandstream’s approach to scaling is more straightforward than Microsoft’s licensing levels with Skype for Business.
Editor’s Recommendation
Experts recommend MirrorFly as one of the best Skype alternatives due to its customizability, security, and scalability for businesses and developers. Here’s why:
Unlike Skype, MirrorFly offers both self-hosted and cloud-based (SaaS) solutions. Businesses that prefer an on-prem Skype alternative now, if they prefer to switch to cloud in future, can easily make the transition, without complex changes. You can also fully customize and host their communication platform on-premises for better control.
Skype relies on Microsoft’s infrastructure. But MirrorFly’s self-hosted option gives complete data ownership. This means, your data is in your control. The list of reasons to choose MirrorFly can actually go on.
If you’d like to know more about it, you can get in touch with MirrorFly experts to understand the solution and get help with migrating to this customizable Skype alternative.
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Alex Sam is a digital marketer by choice & profession. He munches on topics relating to technology, eCommerce, enterprise mobility, Cloud Solutions and Internet of Things. His other interests lies in SEO, Online Reputation Management and Google Analytics.