Continuing its forward march into the business world, Skype today announced the beta version of Skype for SIP for business users. With 438,000 IP PBXes shipped worldwide in 2008, there’s a big market for Skype to tap into if it can master the SMB and channels game.

The Skype For SIP service allows SIP-based IP PBXes to route calls through Skype for lower cost landline and mobile rates around the world. It also enables inbound calls from Skype users directly into an IP PBX system. Additionally, users in more than 20 countries can purchase Skype-In numbers to enable inbound “virtual” local number calling through Skype.

Applicants for the beta test need to be businesses, have an installed SIP-based IP PBX system and a level of technical expertise available to configure said IP PBX. The initial beta will be available for a limited number of participants.

Chris Moore, Skype for Business senior product manager, said the software-as-a-service style offering would work for any standard SIP-enabled IP PBX, “even for Microsoft products.” Setup is simply a matter of having a business control panel login at Skype, configuring the IP PBX, and getting a SIP account linked to a Skype identifier.

Formal certification of IP PBX interoperability would be handled by a third-party lab, but a number of IP PBXes have been tested informally.

Skype is also rolling out a service partner program to certify consultants and VARs on the functionality of Skype for Business in all its forms. There will be a formal certification program and an “e-academy” for credentialing of third-parties to provide support to businesses for a full range of Skype products.
Current users of the Skype for Business website and the business control panel will also notice a facelift, with a more formal look and color scheme moving away from the lighter consumer-oriented vibe of the original Skype site.

Moore said Skype for SIP would be the first of a number of business products rolled out this year and users could expect to see some UC desktop offerings down the road.