Post
Ask Question

Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework

Introduction

 
A bot application runs inside an application, like Cortana, Skype, Webchat, Facebook, Message, etc. Users can interact with bots by sending them messages, commands, and inline requests. You control your bots using HTTPS requests to the Bot API.
 
Skype has been at the forefront when it comes to VoIP based communication services, available as an all-in-one communication service and all the major platforms like Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Unlike other bots that are available on business web pages which provide visibility only to the customers visiting their site, a Skype bot is very easy to find. It is visible to around 300 million monthly active users. A Skype bot interacts very well with customers. It can receive and send messages using typing, speaking, VOIP, and Group Chat. In this article, I am going to show how we can connect the Skype channel and integrate a Bot Application to Skype.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 

Create a FAQ Bot Application

 
You can refer to my previous article to create and build a Xamarin FAQ Bot using Azure Bot Service and deploy it on Azure. I am not using any coding for developing the bot application, you can follow the provided steps in the article to create and deploy a FAQ Bot.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Connect Skype Channels
 
Log into Azure portal > select “All Resources” > Select Channels > Select Skype icon. Let us start to configure the “Skype“ Channel and follow the below steps. At the end of this article, you will be able to deploy the bot into Skype.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Skype Bot Web Control
 
You can embed Skype to the website/Apps; just select “Get Embed Code” or navigate to a skype web control generator. Your customer can make a video call and chat on your website, so integrate the web chat with 2 lines of code.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Add a chat bubble element to your DOM with your Bot ID and replace Microsoft App ID in the below code.
  1. <span class="skype-button rounded" data-bot-id="Replace bot ID" data-text="Ask Xamarin Question"></span>    
  2. <script src="https://swc.cdn.skype.com/sdk/v1/sdk.min.js"></script>   
You have an option for customizing the Skype button and adding it to your website like below. I am showing the following steps to integrate to the Skype app.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Skype Bot Messaging Setup
 
Message section configures how your bot sends and receives messages on Skype.
  • Suppose, if you are doing any development changes, you can disable the message. Disabling it means your Bot can’t send and receive the messages.
  • The Media Card field also has the Disable and Enable options. If you do enable the media card, this means the users will be notified that your bot autoplays media content from a third-party source. After making all the changes from the message setup, click "Save".
     
    Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
Skype Bot Calling Setup
 
Skype Calling section configures the calling feature of Skype in your bot. You can specify whether the Calling is enabled for your bot and if enabled, whether IVR functionality or Real-Time Media functionality is to be used.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Skype Bot Groups Setup
 
Skype Group Setup section configures whether your bot can be added to a group and how it behaves in a group for messaging and is also used to enable Group Video Calls for Calling bots.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Skype Publish to Microsoft
 
Bots in Preview are limited to 100 contacts. If you need more than 100 contacts, submit your bot for review. Clicking Submit for Review will automatically make your bot searchable in Skype if accepted. If your request cannot be approved, you will be notified as to what you need to change before it can be approved. This section configures the publish settings of your bot. Provide the display name and a detailed description about the bot, and select the relevant category.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Provide the publisher name, email, language, and Markets (Global, India, USA, etc.).
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Provide the publisher country, terms and privacy URL in the following screen. After finishing configuration, click Save. The Skype channel is now added to your bot. You can click on “Submit for review”. It will take some days for the Microsoft team to review.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Skype Bot Testing
 
Even if you do not publish it to the Bot Directory, you can still call it from your own applications and through any channels you configure. Click on Skype icon from the "Connect to Channels" list.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
You will be directed to a Skype configuration page for the Bot. Click the button to Add to Contacts.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
You can get started with your bot application. Click and accept the following screen.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 
Skype will open and you can select the Bot from your contacts and converse with it.
 
Create And Build A Skype Bot Using Microsoft Bot Framework
 

Summary

 
I hope you have enjoyed learning about implementing a Bot on Skype. If you have any questions/feedback/issues, please write them in the comment box.


Similar Articles