Language has always been a barrier for business growth. Enterprise is now on a global scale, even for smaller companies. While technology has helped break language barriers, there are still obstacles that businesses face. Microsoft thinks it has the answer with new changes coming to Skype for Business in the near future.
At the World Partner Conference (WPC), the company debuted new automatic transcription and translation tools for Skype for Business.
The features will be housed in Skype Meeting Broadcasts. A live closed captioning service will run during presentations, allowing listeners to choose their specific language. This is a Skype for Business development that changes the dynamic of webinars and presentations.
Until now, broadcasts have been limited to the language of the presenter. If the speaker was giving the presentation in English then the CC’s would also be in English. Needless to say, offering multiple language transcriptions opens businesses for more global reach. Microsoft says the real-time translations will also aid the hard of hearing.
Microsoft has not dropped the key information of how many languages will be supported. Usually, a service will begin with a few core languages and then expand through updates to add more. As this is similar to Skype Translator, we guess Skype Meeting Broadcast will offer the same languages that service supports.
Skype for Business Conferencing Expansion
Furthering the global reach of Skype for Business, Microsoft also announced a new PSTN update. Conferencing is now coming to more countries, the company says. Venezuela, Vietnam, Uruguay, and Kenya will bring the list of conference supported nations to 92.
No official launch date for Skype Meeting Broadcasts translations and transcriptions has been offered by Microsoft.
