SAN FRANCISCO - Salesforce.com's Dreamforce Conference - November 3, 2008 - Skype, the leading global internet communications company, today announced the integration of its "Click to Call" toolbar for Skype-enabled Salesforce CRM users.
Skype's simplified "Skype add-on for Internet Explorer" and "Skype extension for Firefox" toolbars have been optimized for use within Salesforce CRM. It allows users to seamlessly use Skype to call contacts in their Salesforce CRM application contact list. The announcement was made today at Dreamforce '08, salesforce.com's user and developer conference.
Skype's integrated "Click to Call" toolbar is now available for deployment by Salesforce CRM users. More information can be found on the Force.com AppExchange marketplace from Salesforce.com at www.salesforce.com/appexchange.
"Currently, more than 30 percent of our registered users are using Skype for business purposes," said Ian Robin, Director of Skype for Business. "The optimization of our toolbars for the salesforce.com community will enable small businesses to instantly communicate with customers or business partners in their database, while also viewing their relevant information."
"Skype is a must-have communication platform for small businesses worldwide," said Peter Kalmström, Product Manager for Skype Toolbars. "Saving money is just the start; they can also transfer files, set up video and conference calls and use instant messaging to build stronger relationships with their colleagues and customers."
To manage multiple Skype accounts, purchase and allocate Skype Credit or subscriptions, as well as monitor calling activity, businesses can also access the Skype for Business Control Panel (BCP), a free web-based tool, at www.skype.biz.
Using Skype with Salesforce CRM, customers can also quickly and easily set up conference calls with any combination of Skype users, landline and mobile phone numbers with up to twenty-five participants.
Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls are always free, while calls to landlines or mobiles are billed at low per-minute rates or with low cost unlimited* subscriptions. This can generate significant monthly savings for SMBs and improve overall employee productivity, without cumbersome installation packages or configuration requirements.
For a limited time, Salesforce CRM users will also be offered vouchers to make calls from Skype and to manage multiple Skype accounts during their initial 30-day trial period. Any salesforce.com customers that do not currently have Skype can download it from www.skype.com. The "Skype add-on for Internet Explorer" and "Skype extension for Firefox" are both included in the available versions of Skype for Windows - Skype 3.8 for Windows and Skype 4.0 for Windows Beta 2.
About the Force.com Platform and AppExchange
Force.com is the only proven Platform as a Service for building and running business applications in the cloud. The Force.com platform powers the Salesforce CRM applications, more than 800 ISV partner applications like those from CODA and Fujitsu, and more than 85,000 custom applications used by salesforce.com's 47,700 customers such as Japan Post, Kaiser Permanente, KONE and Sprint Nextel.
Force.com is the fastest platform for building and deploying complex business applications. Unlike a stack of disparate client/server hardware and software products, Force.com unifies the development and deployment model from the database to the device, allowing developers to easily assemble applications with clicks, components and code, and then instantly deploy them on salesforce.com's trusted global infrastructure. Customers and partners are using Force.com to build all kinds of business applications from supply chain management to compliance tracking, brand management, accounts receivable, claims processing applications and much more.
Applications built on the Force.com platform can be easily distributed to the entire SaaS community through the Force.com AppExchange marketplace at http://www.salesforce.com/appexchange/.
About Skype
Founded in 2003, Skype is revolutionizing the way people communicate around the world. Skype has more than 370 million registered users globally who use Skype software to communicate for free through voice and video calls as well as instant messages. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings, such as calls made to and from landlines and mobiles, voicemail, call forwarding, and SMS. Skype is used in almost every country on Earth, and people have made more than 100 billion minutes worth of free Skype-to-Skype calls. Conversations over Skype can take place on computers, mobile devices and Skype Certified™ hardware. Skype certifies and sells hundreds of hardware products from more than 50 partners, and works with hundreds of third-party developers who have created plug-ins to extend Skype's functionality.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). Learn more and download Skype at www.skype.com.
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and can not be used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trade marks and logos and the "S" symbol are trade marks of Skype Limited.
* A fair use policy applies. Excludes special, premium and non-geographic numbers.
