Remember my SIP to Skype gateway breaks Skype's Great Wall article, which explained how you could make a SIP-to-Skype call using the PSGW gateway? One of the knocks against Skype was that it uses a proprietary protocol, which makes it difficult to use with SIP-based IP-PBXs used in the enterprise. Thus, if you want to use Skype in the enterprise you either have to use the Skype software or buy a separate Skype-capable handset device from SMC, Linksys, NETGEAR, etc. Well, some exciting news from of STONEVOICE. Today they announced SkyStone, what appears to be a software-based IP Skype gateway designed to sit between a traditional PBX or IP-PBX and the Skype network, thus bridging the two. Actiontec is one other solution - via their VoSKY FXO/FXS gateway, which also integrates Skype with a PBX, but it requires hardware, where as according to STONEVOICE, their solution is 100% software.

Using SkyStone, SMBs can leverage both Skype-In and Skype-Out to save on phone charges while leveraging their existing PBX and phone handsets - no need for a separate Linksys CIT200 Skype phone for example. SkyStone, a software-based IP based Skype gateway, can interconnect any IP telephony solution or traditional PBX to Skype. This allows enterprise employees to take full advantage of Skype services using their existing phone infrastructure. SkyStone supports both SIP and H.323 so it can seamlessly integrate with any IP PBX, as well as legacy PBXs using a media gateway. The product doesn't launch officially until June, but, as of today, it is possible to check out more information about SkyStone or to subscribe to the beta program, on the product page.