Skype URIs in Salesforce (One Click to Call or Chat on Skype)

In this post, i will put a way to implement Skype URIs in 5 Minute with salesforce. Skype is a popular way to chat or calls. We have lots of contacts on skype and salesforce. How can we open standard skype app on mobile or desktop from salesforce records? Lets have a walk here..... It's not too long 🙂

What is Skype URIs: Skype URIs enable you to create innovative mobile, web, and desktop apps that initiate Skype calls and chats, enabling your users to reach their friends, family and businesses in a convenient yet familiar way. For example, if your salesforce record that contains Skype names, your salesforce record can use a Skype URI to launch the official Skype client and initiate a call or chat to a selected contact.

For a Skype URI to work, a Skype client must be installed on the user’s device, and the user must have an active Skype account. Certification of applications or webpages using Skype URIs is not required, because all interaction—specifically all audio and video—is through the Skype client.

In its simplest form, you can embed a hyperlink referencing a Skype URI in a webpage to place a Skype call. For example, to initiate a call to the Skype Echo / Sound Test Service, the link would be:

Call the Skype Echo Chat the Skype Echo Video Call : Video Call the Skype Echo

Clicking the link: 1. Brings the device’s Skype client into focus, starting it as necessary. 2. Effects auto-login or prompts your users for their Skype Name and password. 3. Typically opens a confirmation dialog to authorize placing the call. 4. Places the call(Chat/Video Call).

Implement Skype URIs in salesforce: I am taking Salesforce Standard Contact Object to implement Skype URIs. Please follow these steps: 1. Click on Setup (Placed at Top Right Corner) 2. Now in the left bar Go Build --> Contact --> Click on Fields 3. Click on New in the section "Contact Custom Fields & Relationships" 4. Create text type field with name "Skype ID" and Length can be 30 (Or more).(Complete this wizard of creation)

5. Create a new Formula type field with name "Skype" (Formula return type should be Text) 6. Now you are on Formula Screen. Put following formula here: HYPERLINK("skype:"& vish1993__Skype_ID__c & "?chat", 'Chat','_top') &" "& HYPERLINK("skype:"& vish1993__Skype_ID__c & "?call", 'Call','_top') &" "& HYPERLINK("skype:"& vish1993__Skype_ID__c & "?call&video=true", 'Video Call','_top') Note: "vish1993__Skype_ID__c" is my skype id fiPldp, strongme. Please see yours. Complete Your wizard.

Steps to run: Create or open contact record. Fill required field and Skype ID of this contact. I have created record of Nitin Indora with him Skype ID. Click on Save. You can see formula field with three links. Now you can chat, call and video call with your contact.