Tag: zoom

  • 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.

  • Zoom Phone vs. Traditional Phone Systems

    Zoom Phone vs. Traditional Phone Systems

    In today’s fast-paced business environment, having a telephony solution that keeps up with the evolving needs of your organization is crucial.

    The emergence of cloud-based communication platforms, like Zoom Phone, has revolutionized the way businesses communicate. While traditional Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems have their merits, many organizations are discovering the benefits of embracing modern solutions like Zoom Phone.

    In this article, we’ll highlight the features and advantages of Zoom Phone and why it’s becoming the preferred choice over conventional PBX systems.

     

    Zoom Phone: A Game Changer in Business Communications

    Zoom Phone is a cloud-based telephony solution that offers businesses an alternative to traditional phone services. It is an extension of the popular video conferencing platform Zoom, which has gained significant traction in the wake of remote work and virtual meetings.

    Its key features and advantages, which set it apart from traditional PBX systems, include:

    • Scalability: Zoom Phone’s cloud-based infrastructure allows for effortless scaling, enabling businesses to adapt to growth or changing needs by adding or removing phone lines and extensions as needed.
    • Flexibility: With the ability to make calls from any internet-connected device such as a smartphone, laptop or desktop computer, Zoom Phone facilitates remote work and communication, offering a level of convenience that traditional PBX systems can’t match.
    • Integration: Streamline workflows and collaboration by integrating Zoom Phone with popular business applications such as Office 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce.
    • Cost-Effectiveness: Say goodbye to the costly setup and maintenance of physical hardware associated with traditional PBX systems. Zoom Phone’s competitive per-user pricing and minimal infrastructure requirements translate to significant savings.
    • Advanced Features: Zoom Phone offers modern telephony features like voicemail-to-email, call recording, and analytics, empowering your organization to boost productivity and efficiency.

     

    Traditional PBX: A Waning Choice

    While traditional PBX systems have been a staple in business communications for decades, their reliance on physical infrastructure and hardware makes them less appealing in today’s modern business landscape. Some of the key drawbacks of traditional PBX systems include:

    • Limited Scalability: Expanding or downsizing your PBX system can be time-consuming and costly due to the need for additional physical hardware and infrastructure.
    • Lack of Flexibility: Traditional PBX systems restrict users from making calls from specific devices or locations, hindering remote work and communication.
    • Compatibility Issues: Integrating traditional PBX systems with newer business applications and technologies can prove challenging and may require expensive upgrades.
    • Higher Costs: The initial setup and ongoing maintenance of traditional PBX systems can be considerably more expensive than cloud-based alternatives like Zoom Phone.

     

    The Verdict: Embrace the Future with Zoom Phone

    When choosing a telephony solution for your business, it’s essential to consider factors such as scalability, flexibility, and cost. Zoom Phone’s cloud-based infrastructure, seamless integration with popular business applications, and advanced features make it the clear winner over traditional PBX systems.

    Zoom Phone offers a powerful, modern solution for businesses seeking to stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape. Its numerous advantages over traditional PBX systems make it the ideal choice for organizations looking to embrace the future of communication.

     

  • Top Energy Firm uses ULAP for Global Zoom Deployment

    Top Energy Firm uses ULAP for Global Zoom Deployment

    ULAP Energy Firm Case Study Card

    We accelerated digital transformation for a leading global energy company, with ULAP Secure Internet, SBC and Zoom.

     

    Company profile

    A large, publicly traded energy company operating in all areas of the oil and gas industry, including exploration and production, refining, distribution and marketing, power generation and trading. The company has a regional presence in over 60 countries and employees close to over 70,000 employees across corporate and field sites.

     

    Empowering a mobile workforce for secure success

    With the growing challenges of adapting to a mobile and disparate workforce, this energyfirm needed to give their users the flexibility and performance needed to conduct their everyday duties securely. One challenge was giving users a high-quality

    experience for all Enterprise and SaaS applications. With their existing secure access solution, there were a handful of enterprise-hosted applications which were either not meeting the requirements for user experience or simply not working at all.

     

    Beating out the competition

    Other solutions failed to meet the energy firm’s complex digital transformation needs. Here’s how ULAP quickly rose to the challenge and delivered unique and differentiated value:

    1. ULAP made Zoom Phone and Contact Center apps work well, where none of the incumbent solutions were successful
    2. ULAP provided fully redundant, secure access to all site locations to the Zoom Cloud infrastructure
    3. ULAP exceeded targets on the company’s global cost-savings initiatives

    Streamline Global Expansion with ULAP Networks. ULAP’s secure and reliable solutions slash new terminal onboarding times from 4 months to just 30 days, empowering you to activate new locations on our secure and reliable global platform at unprecedented speed. This frictionless process saves time, money, and ensures a smooth experience for your end users.

     

    Download our brochure here