Hamburg, January 5, 2006 — openBC (www.openbc.com), the leading business networking platform in Europe and Asia, now offers all its members the opportunity to use Skype, the internet communications software from within the openBC platform. openBC users can now launch Skype internet calls, chat and send files to each other directly from their contacts’ profile pages. The new recently launched Skype version 2.0 also allows video calling with one click.
As always with Skype and openBC — user privacy is paramount. Users can decide on a case-by-case basis with whom they want to share their SkypeID with and who can contact them.
“Integrating Skype into our contact management functionality is a huge added value for our users,“ says Lars Hinrichs, CEO of openBC. “Like Skype we are a continuously growing community and our customer bases are well matched. We have taken time to really think through the user experience and we are proud to be the first networking platform with comprehensive Skype integration. Integrating Skype’s free voice calls, chat and video onto our platform is substantially adding value to the user’s openBC experience".
“Business users form an important part of our user base,“ adds Skype German Market Manager, Tim von Törne. “From our research, we know that approximately 30% of our users rely on Skype for business purposes. openBC and Skype share the same vision about business people having the desire to interact, network and communicate around the globe, anytime, anywhere in a cost-effective way. I hope that Skype will be able to delight the openBC users and become the communication tool of choice for their members.”
Both services are targeting a global audience and are used in almost every country worldwide. openBC is available in 16 languages, Skype in 27 languages.
About openBC:
openBC is the foremost online networking platform in Europe and Asia for professional and secure contact management. openBC is made for all business people. openBC is more than a contact manager, it is a meeting place where entrepreneurs, employees, freelancers, directors and venture capitalists find new qualified business partners, develop deals and co-operations, create new markets and opportunities. The Open Business Club’s innovative networking and communication technologies are available in 16 languages, including English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. openBC provides a full range of services including customized branded Private Clubs. This delivers strong and innovative new value propositions for companies, universities and alumni. openBC is profitable and operates in full compliance with internationally approved data protection and privacy regulations as set by the European Commission.
About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest growing service for Internet communication, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video calls for free. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium service offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding services. Skype also has a growing network of hardware and software partners. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit www.skype.com.
Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
