Microsoft Teams and Zoom both offer free versions of their platforms, with upgraded features available on paid plans at a relatively inexpensive cost per user.
Zoom has recently added two-factor authentication and enhanced data encryption policies, but Zoom’s privacy policies and security practices have been the subject of much scrutiny in 2020. The security features apply to file-sharing as well, protecting sensitive information. MS Teams is data encrypted end-to-end both in-transit and at rest and features multi-factor authentication and Rights Management Services support. Security seems to be the main question of concern when comparing Zoom vs. Zoom’s interface is simple, and end-users can get up and running quickly and easily. However, this precise value can make accessibility tricky, so many organizations opt for Zoom when meeting with participants from outside the company. The difference between the two comes down to the power behind Microsoft’s Office 365 product suite that enables MS Teams to be part of a one-stop-shop. When compared to MS Teams, both tools enable online video conferencing, private and public chat, virtual meeting spaces, screen sharing, and file sharing. Zoom is the most commonly used video conferencing tool, especially for externally facing communication.
MS Teams is included for free with Office 365. Stay up to date by subscribing to our release notes here.Īt the end of the day, if a company is using Microsoft Office 365, MS Teams is probably a good solution for collaboration, as it is accessed easily through O365’s centralized management console. Looking ahead, LogicMonitor will be taking more of a cloud approach when monitoring MS Teams to pull important data such as call quality metrics. Monitoring user activity, quality of calls, private messages, team messages, and types of devices is also important. However, many offices are using online video calling and screen sharing internally and using other tools such as Zoom for externally facing meetings.Īs IT organizations implement a collaborations tool like MS Teams, the ability to deliver monitoring alerts directly into the MS Teams chat is a common need (LogicMonitor can utilize the Microsoft Teams API to deliver alerts via a Custom HTTP Integration). Video conferencing and online meetings can include anyone outside or inside a business and is also an important feature of the tool. The users of Microsoft Teams that we polled recognized the ability to share documents across multiple locations as well as chat across multiple offices as the most widely used application of the tool, and also acknowledged the options for screen sharing or whiteboards. Teams can remotely work together in one space without having to toggle between applications. ‘Hub’ is another important capability that offers a shared workspace for various Microsoft Office applications such as PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Planner, OneNote, SharePoint, Delve, and Power BI. Public and private chat is a core feature, and the deep integration of Skype video allows for popular social features such as emojis or custom memes. Microsoft Teams was the most common response, but what is MS Teams? MS Teams is a chat-based collaboration tool that allows organizations to work together and share information in a common space as part of Microsoft’s robust Office 365 product suite. Many of those polled admitted to using a combination of these tools, however, as one tool may only fit a specific business need or serve a unique part of the organization. 46% of respondents said they are using MS Teams, 29% Zoom, 10% Slack, 5% Trello, 5% Gsuite, and the remaining 5% spread out over Asana, Monday, and Webex Teams. Best Online Collaboration Tools in 2020 for IT Teamsĭuring Spicework’s annual conference, Spiceworld, our product expert asked Spiceheads what collaboration tools they are using, if they are satisfied, and what features are most important.
Below we have outlined some of the most common collaboration tools that teams are using to communicate effectively and, ultimately, find balance in a work-from-home lifestyle. When separated from colleagues, teams can feel distant and unmotivated or find it hard to stay focused.
Too many channels of communication or documentation are ineffective, and IT professionals are starting to feel fatigued by never feeling quite “in the know” with business decisions that are happening in real-time. The Collaboration Challenges of Remote WorkĪ key topic of conversation that comes up again and again with our customers is the challenge of collaboration in a remote work environment.