Microsoft is transitioning the "Lync Online" service to “Skype for Business”. UNL will begin testing the new Skype product, but will not enable the new service until testing has been completed.
The Windows client is updated through an optional product patch which UNL ITS is not distributing to supported areas at this time. Unsupported users that choose to apply the update will receive a pop-up message when starting the Lync client, notifying them that the client is updated, but that Skype for Business is not yet supported. The user will be prompted to restart the client to use the current Lync interface. Lync will operate normally for users that do not apply the optional patch.
The eventual roll-out will leverage Skype's expanded functionality of IM, audio and video calls, online meetings and sharing via a common interface. There are a reported 300 million Skype users worldwide.
The Skype for Business product is currently available only to Windows users. Android and iOS versions are currently in development.
For Lync/Skype for Business FAQs go to http://go.unl.edu/skypefaqs
Microsoft Blog: http://blogs.office.com/2015/04/14/skype-for-business-is-here/