Cut to the chase
What is it? A collaboration and video conferencing serviceWhat platforms is it on? All main working techniques
How a lot does it price? Depends on the plan, however a free model is out there
Who is the target market? Predominantly enterprise customers, however common customers too
Free model or paid?
The free model of Microsoft Teams boasts all of the features staff might want to collaborate remotely and might be a superbly appropriate choice for smaller companies.Unlimited textual content chat and search, group video conferencing, one-on-one video calls, 2GB of cloud storage per particular person (or 10GB throughout all the workforce) and entry to web-based variations of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote all come freed from cost.However, the free model of Microsoft Teams lacks a number of essential safety and administration amenities - similar to enforced multi-factor authentication, single sign-on and person administration - that the majority companies are more likely to want.If you’re seeking to improve your Microsoft Teams subscription, there are three choices out there: Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium.Microsoft 365 Business Basic is out there for $5.00 per person monthly (£3.80/AU$6.90), and consists of the flexibility to schedule and file Microsoft Teams conferences, boosts the file storage capability to 1TB per person and consists of the extra safety features talked about above.Office 365 Business Standard, in the meantime, prices $12.50 per person monthly (£9.40/AU$17.20). It features all the advantages of the cheaper bundle, but in addition consists of desktop variations of Microsoft’s well-known productiveness purposes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and many others.) and enterprise apps similar to Bookings, Invoicing and MileIQ.Finally, Office 365 Premium provides superior safety and privateness features, in addition to a larger vary of system administration choices. This bundle will run your online business $20.00 per person monthly (£15.10/AU$27.50).
Download Microsoft Teams
To download Microsoft Teams to your system, merely comply with this {link} to the Microsoft Teams download web page.From right here, you'll be able to download the Microsoft Teams app for desktop or cellular, or you'll be able to enter your e mail handle within the related subject and Microsoft will ship a download {link} immediately.Those seeking to download Microsoft Teams cellular app also can navigate to the related app retailer on their system, be that Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Microsoft Teams features
Microsoft Teams provides all of the core collaboration features, from high-quality video conferencing to cellphone calls, textual content chat and group messaging.When it involves the in-meeting expertise, the service gives customers with a wide range of instruments, similar to customized and blurred backgrounds, completely different viewing modes, breakout rooms and textual content chat. Users also can share their display throughout displays, making it simpler for viewers members to comply with alongside.Teams permits conferences to be recorded, which suggests individuals unable to attend can atone for something they missed. And for the reason that begin of the pandemic, Microsoft has launched a number of essential accessibility features too, similar to dwell captions and transcription.What units Teams other than its rivals, nonetheless, is its place throughout the wider Microsoft 365 suite of apps and companies. For instance, Teams is intertwined carefully with OneDrive and SharePoint, making file-sharing straightforward and intuitive. An upcoming PowerPoint integration, in the meantime, is set to make managing notes throughout displays and participating with the viewers much less difficult.
Security
When it involves video conferencing safety, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is thought-about the holy grail.Under this technique, communication between assembly contributors is encrypted utilizing cryptographic keys held solely on customers’ units. This means no third celebration, together with the service supplier, has entry to the keys to decrypt non-public assembly information.Microsoft Teams is a number of steps behind the competitors the place E2EE is involved. Only very not too long ago have Teams customers had entry to this further degree of safety, and even then just for 1:1 calls (offering each customers keep in mind to activate the characteristic).That stated, Microsoft has taken sturdy steps to forestall a apply referred to as “Zoombombing”, whereby an uninvited particular person invades and disrupts a gathering. And the corporate has additionally added a helpful disable video perform that ought to assist restrict disruptions attributable to reputable attendees.According to the Microsoft web site, Teams additionally enforces two-factor authentication and encryption of information in transit and at relaxation. To guarantee clients stay compliant with related rules, in the meantime, Microsoft lets customers make selections in regards to the location of the info facilities used to course of their information in transit.
Support
As for customer support, Microsoft provides just about all avenues of assist you may count on - except a dwell chat service.The first port of name must be the in depth information base, however in any other case customers can search additional assist by way of Microsoft 365 assist channels, which embody an internet type, cellphone assist and a devoted Get Help app.Microsoft Teams has native purchasers for all the foremost working techniques, together with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Attendees also can be a part of periods by way of web browser in the event that they please.
Microsoft Teams alternate options
Although Microsoft Teams will probably present for nearly each collaboration want, there are many wonderful Microsoft Teams alternate options available on the market too - and not simply Zoom.Here are a number of alternate options to Microsoft Teams that would make an equally sensible choice for companies on the lookout for the best video conferencing, VoIP and collaboration options round:- Zoom
- Google Meet
- GoToMeeting
- RingCentral
- Cisco WebEx