Tag: microsoft teams

  • Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams: Which Should You Choose?

    Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams: Which Should You Choose?

    Trying to decide Zoom vs. Teams? These two of the most popular tools businesses use to stay connected. Both offer video meetings, chat, and phone calling features but they work in different ways and are built for different types of teams.

    This overview will explain the key differences between Zoom Phone and Microsoft Teams Phone, so you can choose the one that fits your company best. Whether you need something simple and flexible or something that works closely with Microsoft tools, this guide will help you understand what each platform offers.

    At a glance: Zoom and Microsoft Teams

    Zoom and Microsoft Teams are both powerful tools that help people work and communicate, whether they’re in the same office or spread out across the world.

    Both are designed to bring people together, support remote work, and make teamwork easier, no matter where you are.

    Their shared features include:

    • Video and audio meetings for teams, clients, or large groups
    • Screen sharing so you can present slides, documents, or whole screen
    • Chat and messaging for quick conversations and team discussions
    • Calendar integration so meetings can be scheduled and joined easily
    • File sharing to send documents, images, or links during chats or meetings.
    • Virtual backgrounds and meeting reactions for a more personal or fun experience
    • Mobile and desktop apps that let you work from anywhere.

    What’s special about Zoom

    Zoom is best known for making video meetings simple and easy to use. It’s fast to set up and doesn’t need much training, which makes it a favorite for schools, small businesses, and big companies a like. Here’s what stands out:

    • Easy to use – Most people can join or host a meeting without much help
    • High-quality video and audio – Great for group work or team discussions during big meetings
    • Breakout rooms – Great for group work or team discussions during big meetings
    • Webinars and events – Zoom makes it easy to host large online events with hundreds or thousands of people
    • Add-ons like Zoom Phone and Zoom Contact Center – Zoom can grow with your busienss if you need more than just meetings

    What’s Special About Microsoft Teams

    Microsoft Teams is part of Microsoft 365, so it works closely with apps like Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint. It’s more than just a meeting tool, it’s a full platform for teamwork and communication. Here’s what makes it different:

    • Built into Microsoft 365 – If your team already uses Microsoft tools, Teams connects everything in one place.
    • Team channels and shared workspaces – You can organize chats, files, and tasks by team or project
    • Deep integration with Outlook and calendars – Meetings and messages sync easily
    • Collaboration on files – You can edit Word, excel, and Powerpoint files with your teammates without leaving Teams
    • Strong security and admin controls – Helpful for larger companies or those with strict rules

    Business Fit & Expansion: Zoom vs. Microsoft

    When choosing a platform for your business, it’s important to think about how well it fits into your current setup and how easily it can grow with you. Here’s how Zoom and Microsoft Teams compare in terms of storage, availability, integrations, and business plans.

    Cloud Storage and File Sharing

    Zoom and Microsoft Teams may look similar at first glance, but their features don’t match one-to-one. For example, while both offer meetings, chat, and file sharing, how those features work and what’s included by default can vary a lot.

    Let’s examine features in our Zoom vs Teams analysis:

    FeatureZoomMicrosoft Teams
    Free Plan40-minute group meetings

    Up to 100 participants

    5 GB cloud storage for recordings (limited features)
    		60-minute group meetings

    Up to 100 participants

    5 GB cloud storage per user

    Entry PlanZoom Pro – $13.33/user/month


    Unlimited meetings (up to 30 hours)

    Up to 100 participants

    5 GB cloud storage per user











    		Microsoft 365 Apps for Business – $8.25/user/month

    Desktop version of applications

    1 TB cloud storage per user

    *No Microsoft Teams

    Microsoft 365 Business Basic – $6.00/user/month

    Web versions of applications

    Up to 300 participants

    1 TB cloud storage per user
    Mid-Level PlanZoom Business – $18.32/user/month


    All in Pro and also    :
    Up to 300 participants


    SSO, managed domains & more    		Microsoft 365 Business Standard – $12.50/user/month

    All in Basic and also:
    Desktop versions of applications

    Webinars with registration
    Advanced PlanBusiness Plus – $22.49/user/month


    All in Business and also:
    Zoom Phone US & CA Unlimited

    Visitor Management

    Additional Features
    		Microsoft 365 Business Premium – $22.00/user/month

    All in Business Standard and also:
    Advanced identity and access management

    Enhanced security features

    Zoom’s pricing focuses mainly on video conferencing. Zoom Phone (their virtual PBX/VoIP solution) is not automatically included in plans except for Business Plus, but is available as a separate add-on for any other plan.

    It’s widely appreciated for its ease of use, video quality, and reliability for hosting meetings with external clients, partners, or large audiences. It is an excellent choice for sales calls, webinars, or any meeting where a smooth, professional experience is key.

    Microsoft Teams, on the other hand, is more powerful when paired with a Microsoft 365 subscription, where Teams is just one part of a full productivity suite. Teams Phone is also a separate service, but Microsoft’s deeper integration with email, file storage, and Office tools makes it more of an all-in-one platform.

    Using Zoom and Microsoft Teams together

    There are many business models and use cases that benefit from the strengths of both platforms. Some teams may choose to use just one to keep their tech stack simple. However, others may find value in assessing which platform is better suited to specific business needs—external vs. internal communication, client-facing vs. operational workflows, etc.

    The good news is: you don’t have to choose just one.

    There are integration options available across various subscription tiers that allow Zoom and Microsoft Teams to work together. This means your company can configure a workflow that combines the best features of each, aligning communication tools with the real-world needs of different departments or roles.

    Zoom Add-In for Microsoft Teams

    Zoom offers an official Zoom Meetings app for Microsoft Teams, allowing users to:

    • Start or schedule a Zoom meeting directly from within Teams
    • Use Teams chat to manage Zoom meetings
    • Link Zoom Phone to Teams for calling

    → Learn more about Zoom for Microsoft Teams

    Calendar and Meeting Sync

    Both platforms can connect to Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar, so users can join Zoom meetings from within Teams or Outlook, and vice versa

    IT admins can configure meeting defaults so Zoom links are auto-generated for Teams calendar events if Zoom is the preferred meeting provider.

    Single Sign-On (SSO) & Identity Management

    Businesses can manage access to both platforms through Azure Active Directory or similar identity providers. This allows consistent user logins and easier permission control across Zoom and Microsoft 365 page.

    Country Availability

    Zoom is widely available in most countries and can perform well even in areas with varying internet speeds. It has a lightweight surface, global data center coverage, and tends to be easy to roll out in regions with basic infrastructure. Zoom also offers native PSTN calling in select countries and BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Carrier) services in others.

    Microsoft Teams is also available worldwide and is backed by Microsoft’s extensive network of data centers. This often means better performance and data residency options in countries where Microsoft has a strong local presence. Teams Phone availability also varies by region and may require Direct Routing or third-party providers in countries not directly supported by Microsoft.

    Visit our coverage page to see which countries we support calling (over 113 countries).

    So, Zoom vs Teams, which is it?

    Zoom is great when you need something highly reliable and easy to use. Teams is when you also need the framework for internal collaboration to bring everything into one connected space.

    Some companies may choose just one platform to keep things streamlined. Others may find that using both (that is, each for the purpose it’s best suited for) delivers better results. There’s flexibility, and integration is possible.

    When it comes to pricing, Zoom and Microsoft Teams each offer valuable features that support different aspects of how businesses work. But you’re looking at two tools built for different jobs.

    What matters most is understanding your team’s needs today, where you’re heading tomorrow, and choosing the tools that will best support your workflow along the way.

  • Voice Enablement in Microsoft Teams: Tips and Tricks for Enhanced Collaboration

    Voice Enablement in Microsoft Teams: Tips and Tricks for Enhanced Collaboration

    Microsoft Teams is a powerful collaboration tool that enables team members to work together seamlessly, regardless of their location. One of the key features that make Teams a complete collaboration solution is its Voice Enablement capabilities.

    With Microsoft Teams Phone, users can make and receive calls, manage voicemails, and leverage a range of advanced call-handling features, all from within the Teams app. In this article, we will explore some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Teams Voice Enablement and enhance your collaboration experience.

     

    Set Up Teams Phone for Maximum Productivity

    Setting up Teams Phone is easy, but there are a few best practices that can help you work more productively. First, ensure that your audio and video settings are correctly configured, especially if you’re using a headset or other external devices.

    Next, set up voicemail, call forwarding, and other call-handling options to ensure you never miss an important call.

    Finally, use the Teams Phone app to manage your contacts and dial numbers more efficiently.

     

    Use Teams Phone for Conference Calls and Meetings

    Teams Phone is not just for one-on-one calls; it’s also a powerful tool for conference calls and meetings. When scheduling a meeting, include the phone number and conference ID so that participants can join using a traditional phone.

    Teams Phone also allows you to dial into a meeting from your mobile phone, making it easy to stay connected when you’re on the go.

     

    Leverage Advanced Features to Streamline Your Workflow

    Teams Phone offers a range of advanced features that can help you work more efficiently. For example, auto-attendants can be used to route calls to the appropriate person or department, reducing the need for manual call handling.

    Call queues allow you to manage high call volumes and ensure that calls are answered in the order they are received.

    And interactive voice response (IVR) systems can be used to provide callers with a menu of options to help them reach the right person or get the information they need.

     

    Integrate Teams Phone with Other Business Applications

    Teams Phone can be integrated with other business applications to further streamline your workflow. For example, you can use Power Automate to create automated workflows that trigger based on specific call events, such as missed calls or voicemails.

    You can also integrate Teams Phone with your customer relationship management (CRM) software to ensure that all customer interactions are captured and tracked.

     

    Customize Your Call Routing and Queuing

    Teams Phone allows you to customize call routing and queuing options to fit your business needs. For example, you can set up rules to route calls to specific departments or individuals based on the caller’s location or language preference. You can also configure call queues to include custom greetings, hold music, and estimated wait times.

    By customizing your call routing and queuing options, you can improve the customer experience and reduce the time and effort required to handle incoming calls.

     

    Use Teams Phone to Collaborate with External Stakeholders

    Teams Phone allows you to make and receive calls from external phone numbers, which makes it an ideal tool for collaborating with customers, partners, and other stakeholders outside of your organization.

    You can use Teams Phone to share information, coordinate projects, and resolve issues in real time, regardless of the location of the participants. By leveraging Teams Phone for external collaboration, you can improve communication, streamline workflows, and enhance your overall business relationships.

    Voice Enablement is an essential aspect of Microsoft Teams that can help enhance collaboration, productivity, and efficiency. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can take advantage of the full range of Teams Phone capabilities and improve your collaboration experience.

    Whether you’re working remotely, on the go, or in the office, Teams Phone is a versatile tool that can help you stay connected and work more effectively.