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Small businesses now have an option to pick the new Skype (News - Alert) in the workspace (SITW) platform introduced by Skype.

This newly introduced online platform is ideal for small businesses to straightaway connect with potential customers, partners and suppliers across the globe. This platform offers small businesses and startups a central hub to connect with experts, coaches and consultants who can help them develop their businesses.

 Those who are interested can join the SITW community by opening a new account or use their existing Skype account, then they can take advantage of promotional tools that help to create public "offers" or "opportunities", which invite community members to live sessions on Skype to demonstrate services or products to a wider audience.

Once enrolled, users get to book appointments with potential customers or suppliers and send notifications to them using the meeting notification service. Later on when the service/product is delivered, users can instantly give testimonials.

“With more than 280 million connected users each month, Skype offers a huge range of contacts for the small-business community," said Ural Cebeci, head of SMB marketing at Skype. "We aim to connect millions of small businesses with Skype in the workspace and believe that, by taking advantage of this shared network, businesses can develop the range of tools they need to grow, regardless of location or industry. From the designer in San Francisco looking to source textile suppliers in Thailand to the London consultant connecting with clients in Milan, the possibilities are endless."

Jorge Parra, user of Skype and owner of Florida-based Jorge Parra photography, said, "There's a big difference between a professional network and a social network, and Skype in the workspace seems to understand this distinction. It is the perfect companion to my existing online presence and generates connections that will actually bring me business."

Officials at Skype said that they have completed the six-month beta trial in which the new platform has helped more than 500 businesses with 140 different services.