In the field of telework, the power to count on a reliable video conferencing application is one of the most important requirements, since it is always necessary to be able to organize meetings to coordinate efforts.
To fill this role, we have two applications that stand out for being designed for business use, thus providing space for a large number of members in video calls and security at the enterprise level. We refer to Microsoft Teams and to Skype for Business.
On this note, We will teach you everything you need to know about these important applications, how they fit together, and how to be able to use their services for your company and get the most out of them.
Microsoft Teams replaces Skype for Business What are the main new features of this change?
The announcement of the Skype for Business retirement to benefit Microsoft Teams was announced in July 2019, and scheduled to take place in July 2022, giving users two years to upgrade to the new platform. This measure was taken with the aim of providing users with a new business communication experience that will combine all the best features of Skype with the stability, fluidity and added tools of Office 365.
One of the best features of this transition is the fact that Features purchased for Skype for Business will continue to be available to users when upgrading to Teams. For example, if you have purchased the video conferencing feature in Skype for Business, it will be available in Teams.
What are the benefits of using Microsoft Teams for your business? Reasons to use it
Using the Microsoft Business Communication Tool represents a great advantage for work teams, due in large part to the considerable number of functions available.
Let’s see:
Chat and communication
Using the Instant messaging in Microsoft Teams is one of the most used resources available in the service, thanks to the utility it has to reduce dependence on emails. The best of the chat feature is the possibility of adapting the messages to your business, in addition to being able to communicate with an unlimited number of members within the company, as well as guests outside of it.
Email access control
Through Microsoft Teams, users have the option to create custom business class email accounts, through which we will have access to accommodation and mail exchange. This personalized address includes rights management privileges that protect files and messages to prevent specific people from viewing or editing them.
Management of personal and shared files
Some Microsoft Teams usage plans include more benefits than others, and depending on the plan you choose, you can have access to unlimited storage on OneDrive to host your documents. This function is very useful to keep the memory of the computer clean, by not saving the documents on the hard disk, as well as to keep files stored in the cloud safe from Microsoft.
High level security
Safety it is one of the most critical points when it comes to business work, and it is one of the strongest points of the Teams service, which has multiple layers of protection. To get started, has encryption of data in transit and at rest, which protects your documents before, during and after any transfer. It also includes multi-factor user authentication and single sign-on, not just in Teams, but in all Office 365 applications.
Constant technical support
The structure and functions of the Microsoft Teams application are stable and well designed, so there shouldn’t be many problems. However, if there are, the technical support team is available 24 hours a day. In order for you to make the most of the Teams service, you can have access to technical support through the Microsoft website at all times of the dayregardless of the region you are in.
Rates and types of Microsoft Teams account What are all that exist on this platform?
In the same way that Skype for Business worked, Microsoft Teams has payment options that add tools and functionalities to the video calling application. The difference is that, in the case of Teams, what is acquired is the Microsoft 365 toolkit, in which Teams is included, which also includes improved functions depending on the chosen plan.
The available plans through which we can use Microsoft Teams are the following:
- Microsoft Teams Free– Includes group voice and video call functions for a maximum of 60 minutes with a total of up to 100 participants, group chats with a maximum of 50 participants, and a maximum per user of 10 GB on all computers.
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: Group calls can last up to 24 hours and support a maximum of 300 users, it also supports messaging groups of up to 300 members and the available hosting space is 1TB per user + 10GB per license.
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: supports up to 300 members in group calls for up to 24 hours, group conversations host a maximum of 300 members and we will have 1TB of storage per user + 10Gb per license. In addition to this, this package offers integration with Microsoft office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.
Learn step by step how to sign up for Skype for Business by creating a Microsoft Teams account from scratch
Creating a Microsoft Teams account is not a complicated task, since, similar to Google, all you need is a Microsoft account to access all the services offered, including Teams. If you previously used Skype for Business, all you will need is your Microsoft account with which you signed in there.
It will work the same way to access Microsoft Teams:
Go to the Microsoft Teams website
The first step to start using Teams is to create a Microsoft account. This can be done directly from the Teams website, and it is a completely linear and free process. All you require is go to the following link products.office.com/microsoft-teams
Sign in to Microsoft
Once on the page, you just have to click on the “Sign Up Free” button and follow the steps shown below:
- Enter Microsoft email what did you use in your Skype for Business account.
- Define how you want to use Teams. You can choose between “Academic use”, “Use with family and friends” or “Use at work and with organizations.”
- click on “Next”.
- Enter your password from Microsoft and click “Log in”.
- Set up the account details: recovery name, phone number, profile picture and email.
- Choose how you want to use Teams: download desktop version or use the web portal.