The pandemic has seen an explosion in the use of Zoom and Microsoft Teams to support remote and home working. But which platform is best? In a similar vein to the argument around Apple versus Android, users of each platform will wax lyrical about the benefits of one system over the other. In truth, both are excellent platforms offering a host of seamless functionality.
What is Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a cloud based business communication platform, created in 2017 to replace ‘Skype for Business’. It is a chat based cooperation and collaboration tool designed to facilitate better workplace communication and information sharing. It is a popular choice for businesses because it comes as part of Office 365. Although Teams was originally for desktop use, it is now available for iOS and Android mobile devices.
What is Zoom
Zoom was founded in 2011 and is a cloud based communications platform facilitating video, voice, chat and content sharing across virtually any device (mobile, tablet, laptop, desktop, telephones). At its most fundamental level, it is high definition web conferencing software.
Ease of set up and use
Zoom is very easy to set up and use, even for those of us without any particular ability in IT. This is evidenced by the huge number of people using Zoom to keep in touch during the pandemic. Globally in December 2019, it had 10 million daily users and by April 2020 this number had leapt to 300 million. With its simple, intuitive interface, ease of use is a particular strength of Zoom.
Teams is a little more complicated and those with little IT experience may need some initial guidance. However, people familiar with other Office 365 applications should find Teams relatively straightforward. Although MS Teams is designed for those organisations already using Office 365 it can also be used as a standalone product.
Security and privacy
By their very nature, collaborative, communication platforms increase risk. They encourage multiple users from multiple locations to get together, making security much more challenging.
The explosion in the use of Zoom brought its own particular problems, exposing weaknesses and privacy issues. Zoom has had a pretty chequered past when it comes to security and privacy e.g. sending user analytics to Facebook, Zoom-bombing (where video conferences were hacked), multiple bugs (password theft, microphone control, webcam control) as well as a lack of end to end encryption. However, Zoom has been working hard to eliminate all these concerns and has made good progress. End to end encryption and two factor authentication (2FA) have now been introduced.
Teams is generally considered very safe, with end to end encryption and two factor authentication. It also guarantees data-at-rest and in-transit encryption. However, even this platform has had its problems. A serious security breach was discovered in March last year which in theory could allow hackers to take over all Team accounts in an organisation. Fortunately, Microsoft was quick to deploy an update to fix this potentially cataclysmic breach.
Functionality
Both platforms enable online video meetings, chats, VoIP calls, screen sharing and file sharing, and both platforms do this well.
The main difference between these platforms is in their relationship with other apps:
- MS Teams is part of Office 365 and as such, seamlessly integrates with other MS applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc. As well as video conferencing, it enables document sharing in real time using OneDrive and SharePoint. Backup and data searching across storage is also easy.
- Zoom provides a wide range of technical partnerships and integration with 3rd party providers to provide a more holistic experience. This enables it to compete with MS in the business arena (e.g. Asana for projects and task management, Coursera for on-line learning, Slido for live polling and Q&A etc.) There is also a Zoom App Marketplace that supports and allows developers to create new content for the Zoom platform.
Pricing
Teams – Subscription packages all require a one year minimum contract
- Free: Up to 100 participants, 60 minutes time allocation.
- Business Basic (subscription): Up to 300 participants, 24 hours duration and additional services such as SharePoint, 1TB of personal file storage, single sign-on.
- Business Standard (subscription): All Business Basic features plus desktop versions of apps such as Outlook, Word, and Excel etc.
- Office 365 E3 (subscription): All Business Standard features plus up to 10,000 participants, access to equivalent on-premises servers (Exchange, Sharepoint etc.) and FastTrack support.
Zoom
- Basic (Free): Host up to 100 participants, 40 minutes time allocation, unlimited 1to1 meetings.
- Pro (subscription): Host up to 100 participants, meetings for up to 30 hours, 1GB cloud recording, large meetings add-on.
- Business (subscription): All the features in Pro plus host up to 300 participants, single sign-on, recording of transcripts, company branding, managed domains etc.
- Enterprise (subscription): All features in Business plus extra phone features e.g. unlimited calling within UK & Ireland.
N.B. Some of the terms above may be temporarily changed to support customers during COVID-19.
Conclusion
So in conclusion, which platform is best for your business, Zoom or Teams? Unfortunately, there is no clear winner. Both are good options and it really depends on your situation and requirements. For smaller businesses needing just basic video conference functionality, Zoom probably edges it, given its ease of. If you already use Office 365 or are thinking about investing in it, then employing Teams makes sense.
It is of course possible to employ both platforms and leverage the best of both for your organisation. You could use Zoom for one-click join meeting with external suppliers, companies, contractors etc. and use Teams for internal collaborations requiring document sharing and access to Office 365 applications. Both platforms have a lot to offer businesses trying to improve communication and collaboration in the workplace.
DATA Computer Services provides a range of IT Support and Cloud Services for businesses including cloud managed Office 365. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch or give us a call on 0131 657 1666
