Oh-Oh! Microsoft Bought Skype - Now What?

Will Microsoft Ruin Skype? is the title of an article by Bob Rankin at AskBobRankin.com.

Microsoft paid $8.5 billion for Skype but is vague about its plans for the company. According to Rankin, the purchase helps Microsoft catch up to Google Voice in the VoIP market. I have to confess I don't know anything about Google Voice, but I don't think Skype needs to catch up to anybody. It has 8 million paying users.

Integrating Skype into Microsoft Outlook will put the VoIP app on the desktops of millions of business users who just might prefer a voice or video call over email in many situations. The Webcam built into the xBox is an ideal complement for Skype. Then there's Lync, Microsoft's unified communications suite. Skype could end up in every Microsoft application from business meetings to distance learning and family get-togethers.

Rankin professes concern about past difficulties Microsoft has had integrating acquisitions within its huge bureaucracy. However, he's optimistic:

One promising note is that Skype will operate as a separate division within Microsoft, a very unusual move but a smart one.

Whatever roles Skype plays in the Microsoft business strategy, it's important to preserve the Skype brand name and close connection to customers. If they can do that, and not encumber Skype with extra layers of complexity, I think it will be a win-win situation.