[Microsoft](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/) has just announced the upcoming release of a [Skype Professional Account](http://www.skype.com/en/) desktop client. Due to launch in the US as a preview very soon, this is a business-focused build of [Skype](http://www.skype.com/en/) that offers a host of extra features. [Skype Professional Account](http://www.skype.com/en/) will target small business owners and instructors. [Skype Professional Account](http://www.skype.com/en/) will allow them to do their online business easier with new features like meetings, payments, notes support and more.

An instructor who uses a combination of different platforms online to give sessions across [Skype](http://www.skype.com/en/). They use an email to arrange a [Skype](http://www.skype.com/en/) call, calendar software like Outlook to manage their [Skype](http://www.skype.com/en/) meeting schedule, and a third-party provider like [PayPal](http://www.paypal.com/us/home) to coordinate and accept online payments. [Microsoft’s](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/) new [Skype Professional Account](http://www.skype.com/en/) will allow users to do all these tasks from one app.

[Microsoft](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/) says that [Skype Professional Account](http://www.skype.com/en/) will also include enhanced profile pages that include a dedicated website for small businesses within [Skype](http://www.skype.com/en/), complete with details like hours and business offerings. Of course, [Skype's](http://www.skype.com/en/) calling is supported as well.

The new [Skype Professional Account](http://www.skype.com/en/) version will let small business owners and freelancers book meetings and accept payments all within the same tool, instead of third-party alternatives. It’s not clear if [Microsoft](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/) intends to run this as a free service once the preview is finished, but testers can sign up to try it out over at [Microsoft’s](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/) [Skype](http://www.skype.com/en/) homepage.

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