Microsoft Teams vs Zoom
Wednesday 19th January 2022
As workforces all over the UK adapt to hybrid working regimes, business leaders will be searching for the best methods to keep their teams engaged, connected, and united despite the distance.
Similarly, finance brokers will be required to react quickly and professionally to their clients’ needs and continue to provide a personal service — even if it’s via a screen.
With the rising popularity of virtual meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, it’s now easier than ever to connect with colleagues and clients at the click of the button — whether via instant messaging or video conferencing. But it can be hard to tell which programme is right for you and your business.
That’s why we’ve got you covered with this – our advantages of the leading digital tools to make the final selection that little bit easier…
Delving into Microsoft Teams
A relative newcomer to the world of online communications and created during an internal hackathon, Teams was launched in 2017 by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft 365 product bundle. And, in the first few weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, the technology giant saw its active users soar to over 75 million per day!
Key features
Offering one-to-one conversations, instant messaging tools and video meetings, the platform is a great option for individuals already familiar with Microsoft 365 tools as it automatically syncs with other apps like Word and Outlook — offering a seamless integration experience.
The collaboration features mean that multiple users are able to simultaneously view and edit documents such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint in real time — minimising any negative impact of working from home for many financial professionals.
Price
The programme offers a free option which grants access to selected Microsoft applications and features. However, the cheapest paid option which allows you to access a host of other functions — Business Basic — costs £3.80 per month, with the more advanced Business Standard plan priced at £9.40 per month.
A closer look at Zoom
Setup back in 2012 by American software company Zoom Video Communications, this platform was launched primarily as a video chatting programme, with a free version enabling up to 100 devices to connect at once for up to 40 minutes.
Key features
An appealing option to the less tech-savvy, Zoom has been recognised for its simple navigation, and offers one-on-one meetings, group conferences, screen sharing, browser extensions and a function which can record meetings – and automatically transcribe them for you.
And for a bit of fun, when it’s used in conjunction with selected operating systems it even permits users to set virtual backgrounds to spice up their virtual meetings or protect their privacy while working from home.
Primarily a great option for users seeking high-quality, smooth audio and video conferencing without the lengthy and confusing setup process, in short, Zoom is for everyone.
Price
The Zoom Pro function costs £9.90 per month and permits meetings up to 24 hours long.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to which option is the best fit for you, as they can both open the door to smoother, swifter communication.
One thing we do know is employing the use of technology in these turbulent times can work wonders in maintaining vital client relationships and providing financial advice and reassurance in a more personal way.
