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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Bolste

    Score9.1 out of 10
    Small Businesses (1-50 employees)
    Bolste™ is a complete business operating system, designed to simplify work-life and help businesses grow by streamlining communication and collaboration. The system brings together separate applications – email, chat, tasks, file-sharing, calendars, and more – into a single, simple platform. Available on the web and via iOS and Android apps, Bolste enables remote users to stay connected and productive from anywhere. The admin console shows employee activity, making it easy to…

    $0

    per user

    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)

    Score6.5 out of 10
    N/ASkype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.N/A
    Pricing
    BolsteSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Editions & Modules
    Basic
    $0
    per user
    Pro
    $9.99
    per month
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    BolsteSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Free Trial
    YesNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsBolste offers three (3) packages that meet the exact needs of any user. BASIC is a free version perfect for an army of one or for small group to try out the solution. PRO is a more robust version perfect for larger teams and SMB organizations. CORPORATE is a full-scale version perfect for enterprise solutions.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    BolsteSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Considered Both Products
    Bolste
    No answer on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Would buy again
    85 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    94%
    Delivers good value for the price
    80 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    92%
    Happy with the feature set
    98 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    94%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    46 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    93%
    Implementation went as expected
    56 Answers
    Features
    BolsteSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Project Management
    Comparison of Project Management features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    8.8
    1 Ratings
    13% above category average
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Task Management9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Gantt Charts8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
    Scheduling8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
    Workflow Automation9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile Access9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Search9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Communication
    Comparison of Communication features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    8.7
    1 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Chat9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Notifications8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
    Discussions8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
    Internal knowledgebase8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
    Integrates with GoToMeeting9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Integrates with Gmail and Google Hangouts9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Integrates with Outlook9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    File Sharing & Management
    Comparison of File Sharing & Management features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    8.9
    1 Ratings
    10% above category average
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Versioning8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
    Video files9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Audio files9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Document collaboration9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Access control9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Advanced security features8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
    Integrates with Google Drive9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Device sync9.11 Ratings00 Ratings
    Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
    Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    8.0
    195 Ratings
    1% above category average
    High quality audio00 Ratings9.1191 Ratings
    High quality video00 Ratings9.0185 Ratings
    Low bandwidth requirements00 Ratings5.0181 Ratings
    Mobile support00 Ratings9.0146 Ratings
    Screen Sharing
    Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    7.0
    191 Ratings
    13% below category average
    Desktop sharing00 Ratings9.0191 Ratings
    Whiteboards00 Ratings5.0120 Ratings
    Online Meetings / Events
    Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    9.3
    188 Ratings
    13% above category average
    Calendar integration00 Ratings10.0174 Ratings
    Meeting initiation00 Ratings9.5182 Ratings
    Integrates with social media00 Ratings8.182 Ratings
    Record meetings / events00 Ratings9.0143 Ratings
    Slideshows00 Ratings10.0115 Ratings
    Online Events Collaboration
    Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    7.5
    173 Ratings
    7% below category average
    Live chat00 Ratings8.5171 Ratings
    Audience polling00 Ratings7.094 Ratings
    Q&A00 Ratings7.094 Ratings
    Online Events Security
    Comparison of Online Events Security features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    6.8
    156 Ratings
    17% below category average
    User authentication00 Ratings9.0142 Ratings
    Participant roles & permissions00 Ratings8.5148 Ratings
    Confidential attendee list00 Ratings3.0109 Ratings
    VoIP system collaboration
    Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Bolste and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Bolste
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    7.8
    1 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Video conferencing00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Audio conferencing00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Video screen sharing00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Instant messaging00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    BolsteSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Small Businesses
    Flock
    Score9.5 out of 10
    ClickMeeting
    Score9.5 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Troop Messenger
    Score9.8 out of 10
    JioMeet
    Score9.8 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Cisco Business Edition 7000 (discontinued)
    Score9 out of 10
    Webex Meetings
    Score8.7 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    BolsteSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.1
    (1 ratings)
    8.4
    (198 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (7 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (14 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.5
    (40 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    BolsteSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Bolste
    Bolste is best suited for companies that rely on team work and e-mail communication within/between departments
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams is a remote/virtual team collaboration tool must have...especially if you already use Microsoft tools. Of course, since it now part of an MS 365 subscription, it really doesn't make sense to use anything else. It is easy to use and just works. I'm not sure how anyone who works with digital files/documents and needs to work with other people doing similar work can be effective without such a tool. Of course, there are a number of alternatives like Zoom or Webex, but why pay or use another separate tool if you don't need to. :-)
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Bolste
    • Keeps everybody on the same page.
    • Easy to access/use.
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • Instant messaging to anyone who we know only by name/email. Even if they're offline, they get the message in missed convos and a notification automatically goes to them via Outlook mail. All conversations are saved and accessible via Outlook.
    • Video and voice calls are a norm in the WFH scenario, and an average employee has around 4-5 calls a day. Skype gives notifications for upcoming meetings, allows easy scheduling via outlook calendar, and its audio/video quality [is] reasonably good compared to the amount of data it consumes.
    • Status availabilities - in the WFH scenario, you could be off for lunch, out of office, busy, sharing screens - and might not want to be disturbed. Skype allows you to do that, and in case you're off, ensures that you know that you have missed messages.
    • Screen sharing - we have to share screens at least once or twice a day with a coworker when working on some issues/features, and Skype easily lets us do that. One of the best things about Skype is that the screen can be shared without being on a video/voice call - which is of immense advantage because oftentimes, you could prefer sharing the screen, while it [is] too noisy to talk.
    Read full review
    Cons
    Bolste
    • There is only 7GB of storage in the Plus Pack.
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • Connection issues can be hard to diagnose when they come up(as some knowledge of server information may be needed to reestablish as the connection troubleshooting options on the sky are not as user-friendly as the rest of the platform.
    • Some issues setting up camera/sound could use more info on troubleshooting options with playback sound, video, etc.
    • Statuses sometimes are unreliable and do not display correctly .
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Bolste
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    The software is simple to install and configure. It is rather simple to explain for correct use. It is possible to profile users for the different functions offered. It is integrated quite completely with Outlook and with Active Directory security. It performs all communication functions well with one or more interlocutors and the possibility of granting control of your computer is convenient.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Bolste
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    Very easy to use. Even though Microsoft Teams has a lot of features and integrations, as a user I feel completely comfortable on finding what I need, getting information about the app extensions and using them. It's a very comprehensive tool, intuitive design and does not make me feel tired to be using it. I am glad with the current experience.
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Bolste
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    I have only had to reach out to the Support team at Skype for Business once with an issue, and I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the quickness and thoroughness of their response. The wait time was short and my question was dealt with politely and clearly, so I would say the support team has it together.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Bolste
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    Skpe for business is utilized company wide in regards to my company. Everyone not only uses it, but uses it often. It is an effective way of communicating. It also integrates very nicely with outlook and all conversation history is pushed to a folder within the outlook system. We also have it so that if someone misses a message, they are sent an email reminder saying that there is a message that went unread.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Bolste
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    For the below reason I will always choose this app over its competitors: Better audio and video quality, Little to no disconnections or freezing when on a call/video conference Integrates well with mailbox/ calendar/ one drive, and SharePoint is easy to use
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Bolste
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    • Skype for Business has enabled a migration in part away from fixed line telephony and introduced the user to mobile working with a headset which cannot be overstated as being a game changer.
    • Being able to schedule Skype for Business meetings through Outlook has meant meetings with colleagues without a meeting room has been a great enabler.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Bolste Screenshots

    Screenshot of Activity Feed – displaying all activity across a your account, making it easy to see the latestScreenshot of Calendar – for scheduling meetings / events and tracking task due datesScreenshot of Tasks – for creating, assigning and managing tasks or "to-dos"Screenshot of Contacts – enabling you to easily connect with contacts from inside and out of your organizationScreenshot of Shared Files – allowing you to easily share and find filesScreenshot of Bolster Navigation – where you find your personal tools and files (under My Bolster), as well as your shared Bolsters for collaboration