Review Skypr for Business as a Phone System
Our Verdict
The user-friendly 365 Business Vocalization comes complete with a range of video-conferencing features.
For
- Different versions to arrange concern budgets
- Enables real-fourth dimension connection of up to 300 users
Confronting
- Relatively new, and then missing a few features
TechRadar Verdict
The user-friendly 365 Business Vox comes consummate with a range of video-conferencing features.
Pros
- +
Different versions to suit business budgets
- +
Enables real-time connexion of up to 300 users
Cons
- -
Relatively new, then missing a few features
The global pandemic has caused the biggest disruption of established working practices that many of the states tin recall. Many people accept had to make the switch to remote working, relying heavily on spider web conferencing tools for communication and collaboration.
Please notation
This is our all-in-one roundup looking at the Microsoft 365 Concern Voice service. On this page, after our cursory intro, you'll notice
(a) an overview of the different plans and pricing available
(b) a detailed breakup of the features on offer
(c) a look at the user interface
(d) a look at the support available
(e) and how it fares against the competition
You lot can jump to the review department that interests you most past clicking on the links in the bar at the acme of this page, but bear in mind that this article is actually designed to be read all the way through, as businesses will do good from assessing the service in its entirety before deciding if information technology meets their needs.
Ane of the platforms that has benefitted more most from this workplace transition has been Microsoft Teams. Competing confronting Zoom, Google Meet, and a host of other video collaboration tools, Teams has regularly launched new upgrades to ensure that businesses can access all the features they need remotely.
Earlier this year, Microsoft decided to retire its Skype for Business platform in society to launch Microsoft 365 Business Voice as an addition to Microsoft Teams. Essentially, the Redmond-based tech firm wanted to bring more than of its collaboration tools under the increasingly popular Teams umbrella
If you're unsure where to brainstorm given the sheer number of VoIP solutions and other communication tools out at that place today, we've got you lot covered. We'll tell y'all where Microsoft 365 Business Voice stands among the best video conferencing software in this contained review.
- Also check out our roundup of the best VoIP providers
Plans and pricing
While a free version of Skype for Business was previously bachelor to download via the Microsoft website, things are a little different with Microsoft 365 Business Voice. First, you'll need to purchase some standalone hardware - making certain that it is compatible with Microsoft Teams. Fortunately, Teams provides a list of certified devices on its website - with many of the major name VoIP handset manufacturers included, such as offerings from Yealink and Poly.
Of form, the fact that a limited number of handsets are supported might mean additional hardware costs. In addition, users will besides have to stump upwardly for a Microsoft 365 subscription - which again could make Microsoft 365 Business Vocalism more expensive than initially planned. Once these costs are out of the mode, users tin choose between Microsoft 365 Business Basic, which comes in at $5 per user, per month, based on an annual commitment, or Microsoft 365 Business Standard, which costs $12.l per user, per month.
As mentioned, Skype for Business was retired on July 31st, 2021, with Microsoft users being required to make the transition to Teams. For businesses that have get very familiar with Teams over the last year or so, the inconveniences of moving abroad from Skype for Concern is likely to be small-scale compared to the benefits of having closer Teams integration. In fact, for organizations that depend on a lot of Microsoft services, Microsoft 365 Business concern Vocalism is sure to be a worthwhile investment.
Features
Microsoft 365 Concern Voice has been optimized for use on desktops and mobiles, with the premium version supporting meetings with upward to 300 participants and featuring a variety of advanced collaboration tools. The excellent capacity for high-volume calls makes it the platonic platform for remote meetings, conferences, and webinars. Screen sharing allows for the alive review and amendment of documents. In that location's also the selection to record calls, which can then exist shared and watched at team members' convenience.
As mentioned, Microsoft Business organisation Phonation 365 is fully integrated with other software in the Microsoft 365 suite. The OneNote integration allows for the seamless creation and electronic mail sharing of meeting notes. Outlook integration is another key feature, enabling the uploading of contacts and electronic mail messaging of colleagues.
Microsoft 365 Business Voice is aimed at equipping Teams users with vocalization capabilities through the Teams app interface, and businesses can have no complaints if that'southward what they are looking for. With the service only receiving a formal launch relatively recently, in that location are notwithstanding a few teething problems. But expect Microsoft to release further updates over the coming weeks and months - particularly as remote and hybrid working appears to exist here to stay.
User interface
Rating the Microsoft 365 Business concern Voice interface will largely depend on how comfortable individuals are with the Teams platform. Certainly, anyone that is familiar with Teams will detect the Business Voice interface easy to manage. Information technology's a professional person-looking platform and represents an fantabulous choice for businesses looking for a user-friendly plug-and-play solution.
As mentioned, the Teams platform has undergone a number of changes over the past 12 months, but Microsoft has managed these additions gradually, releasing updates through its developer channels first (and giving plenty of warning). Your exact configuration volition also depend on the exact program that your arrangement has signed upward for. However, however your Teams dashboard looks exactly, it should be relatively easy to get to grips with the platform.
Looking at just the desktop and web versions, Microsoft Teams comes with primary navigation department, a secondary left runway with boosted navigation, and a large center window for whatsoever other interactions. It'due south piece of cake to locate your prior activity, as well as previous chats, meetings, and files. The sidebar is likewise customizable, so you can tinker with the features until yous get them exactly to your liking.
Looking specifically at Microsoft 365 Business Phonation over again, the user interface is incredibly intuitive. Whether you're using a desk phone or a mobile, answering calls, switching to video, or accessing any number of other features can be achieved with the simple click of a push.
Back up
Microsoft 365 Business organization Voice customers are able to access guides to everything from the arrangement of calling plans to the creation of online reports via Microsoft Office Support. Information technology's also possible to ask questions of other users or contact the support team straight.
The defended online support is quite responsive, with articulate and straight guidance provided. Nonetheless, you should be aware that there may be delays, given the number of people attempting to admission online support during the pandemic.
In that location is a dedicated line for billing support available from 9am to 5pm through the working week. Yous can also phone for technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Brand sure that y'all have your account details to paw when calling.
Microsoft 365 Business Voice also comes with administration tools for managing users and apps, usage reporting and analytics for Microsoft 365 services, and configurable user settings and policies. That should mean that individuals can solve potential bug without having to contact Microsoft directly nigh of the time. Similarly, the service promises 99.9% financially backed uptime.
The competition
The recently rebranded Google Run across (formerly Google Hangouts Meet) is the most obvious rival, given its integration inside Google Workspace. Designed for remote squad connection, this video conferencing platform has a articulate interface and is very like shooting fish in a barrel to use. Unlike Microsoft 365 Business concern Phonation, however, the Google Meet enterprise tier limits the number of meeting participants to just 250 - not much less than the 300 that Microsoft allows, simply information technology's something worth bearing in mind. I major bonus that Google Encounter has going for information technology, however, is that the bones version is available for free to business relationship holders.
Of course, there are plenty of other VoIP services vying for attention should businesses shouldn't limit themselves to offering from the tech giants. Those with a need for advanced functionality may decide that cloud-based communication platforms such as RingCentral Office and 8X8 Virtual Role Pro are worth a attempt. With integrated dial-in audio conferencing, emergency calling, and telephone call forwarding, nosotros recommend these platforms for business use. Ultimately, your pick may depend on the kind of integrations you'll rely on. Certainly, Microsoft Teams is a major draw for many companies - and this might just be enough for them to make Microsoft 365 Business concern Vox their VoIP solution of choice.
Final verdict
There'due south enough to recommend the affordable and convenient Microsoft 365 Business concern Voice. While it may have been somewhat annoying for businesses that had to drift from Skype for Business earlier this year, the transition does hateful closer integration with other Teams services. How abrasive that turned out to be will largely depend on the extent to which organizations were already using Teams. For businesses that were already major Microsoft fans, and so this additional integration is likely to be welcomed. For businesses that predominantly rely on solutions provided by other tech firms, then Microsoft 365 Business organisation Voice may not be that highly-seasoned. In that case, it might exist worth giving the free version of Google Meet a try before making any financial commitment.
- Nosotros've also highlighted the best video conferencing software
Source: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/microsoft-skype-for-business
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