The Future of Persistent Chat in 2019 and beyond

With the release of Skype for Business Server 2019 in October last year, the Persistent Chat feature had been deprecated, and as such the role had been removed from the Topology builder as well as the code. Fortunately, as detailed in our previous post, we had identified a solution by using a Skype for Business 2015 Persistent Chat server in a mix-mode topology (read more here).

Following similarly themed posts in previous years we wanted to provide another, 2019 update, regarding the future of Persistent Chat in 2019 and beyond.

With a growing attention from the market towards Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business entering its end of life phase there are, understandably, several concerns surrounding the future of Persistent Chat. In the immediate term there is good news, Skype for Business extended support will be available until at least 2023.

Depending on the version of Skype for Business deployed, extended support may continue until 2025. Skype for Business 2015 will see extended support until 2023. Skype for Business 2015 server, Skype for Business 2019 and Skype for Business 2019 server will see extended support until 2025.

This still leaves the critical question; what happens to Persistent Chat beyond Skype for Business?

For some organisations the transition to Microsoft Teams has already begun. In these cases, there is a coexistence between Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business whilst features are rolled out. In other cases, particularly where are there are high volumes of Persistent Chat power users moving away from Persistent Chat is more challenging. Without interoperability between Persistent Chat and Microsoft Teams there is a potential risk to lose business critical information leaving some unable to proceed. With today’s range of professional services available, business critical information could be migrated to MS Teams but the Persistent Chat experience would become unavailable to users.

What does this mean for MindLink customers?

With a strong pedigree in Persistent Chat and a lasting commitment towards our customers, we will continue to enhance and support Persistent Chat beyond Skype for Business to provide users with the Mission-Critical chat experience they have become accustomed to.

With more information to follow, please watch this space or register here to be notified and stay in the loop with announcements and upcoming developments.

Want to learn more about our products?

• MindLink Anywhere: A feature enhanced, Skype for Business Web Client for secure web access.
• MindLink Mobile: A secure and containerised Skype for Business Mobile Client, that supports Persistent Chat.