UBC IT is decommissioning Skype for Business on
May 31, 2021. To continue to support your collaboration needs, everyone will be moved to Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool that was launched for UBC August 2020 to allow UBC groups to create content and share information that they need to work together. MS Teams is Microsoft’s replacement for Skype for Business which is at end-of-life. There is no vendor support for Skype for Business after July 31, 2021.
To learn about the differences between Skype for Business and MS teams, refer to
this chart.
How do I learn to use Microsoft Teams?
To learn more about MS Teams, please visit
it.ubc.ca/teams
Or check out our UBCO IT's
Guide to Using Teams at UBC - which provides detailed instructions on Getting Started and using MS Teams at UBC, including:
- Setting up a Team
- Creating & Using Channels
- Creating & Sharing & Collaborating on Files
- Using Chat
- Creating Meetings with Teams
- Advanced Tips & More Help
MS Teams Training
You can also attend one of UBC IT's upcoming MS Teams Overview Sessions:
- Thursday, April 29 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm
- Tuesday, May 26 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm
To sign up for a session, please
click here. An Outlook invitation will be sent to end-users closer to their training date.
Or check out the “
Get Started Portal” on the Microsoft Teams dashboard once you have the application launched.
To request an overview to getting started with Teams for your UBCO department, please contact
UBCO IT's Engagement Services team.
What is Teams Only mode?
Teams Only mode is essentially using all the collaboration features within MS Teams. When Microsoft Teams was first launched, end users had the choice of staying with Skype for Business for the time-being, but still have access to some of the MS Teams features, such as attending online meetings. When you are switched over to Teams Only mode, you will no longer have any access to Skype for Business features. You will essentially only be using Microsoft Teams to collaborate with others moving forward.
Can I switch over to Microsoft Teams before May 31?
Yes, you* can switch to Microsoft Teams before May 31. To do this, please complete
this form (Campus-Wide Login - CWL - credentials are required to access the form).
*Note: Contractors
are not eligible to switch before May 31. Their accounts will be migrated on May 31.
If you do not do anything, your account will automatically switch to Microsoft Teams on May 31, 2021.
What happens to my SFB scheduled meetings?
Unfortunately Skype for Business meetings will not automatically switch over to teams. You will need to re-schedule any previously booked Skype for Business meetings as Microsoft Teams meetings after May 31. We suggest creating a reminder on Tuesday June 1 to switch and minimize the potential of disruptions to regular meetings.