PanTerra is a provider of unified cloud-based services for communications, enterprise file sharing and mobility solutions for mid-market enterprises (MME), headquartered in Santa Clara. The Company's Streams service provides - Unified Communications and SmartBox - Communications-Enabled Content Management solutions which are delivered securely from the cloud through a browser-based client as well as mobile apps for smartphones and tablets, are designed to eliminate any on-premises deployed…
$12.95
per month per seat
Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
Score 7.7 out of 10
N/A
Skype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.
The pricing policy could come first that in the decision the role of the management was enormous. Besides that, the customer service could be listed as another reason why we left Slack that they were not responsive as we expected [them] to be.
One of the main draws of PanTerra Networks Streams is the unlimited calling, which was very enticing. We chose the platform over other models (per-call for example) because they simplified billing. While the video conferencing and messaging feel bare-bones or underdeveloped in comparison to other players in the market, the fact that the messaging is seamlessly integrated into the PBX makes it easy to use. The call routing systems are especially robust, which in the collections world is very important to be able to segment calls to different users.
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. :-)
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.
Accounting had asked me to mention the way the bills are shown in the invoices can be confusing as to how it is broken out and what each charge is for. She mentioned wishing it was a little more detailed.
Virtual test environment would be nice. When testing if there is an outage or testing updates, it would be cool to either be able to hear what a customer would hear and make sure things are working in the system without interrupting customer service. This is small, but a feature that would be cool to utilize.
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 .
In all likelihood, we will remain Panterra customers for many years. VoIP phone and messaging is a rapidly expanding and evolving market, however, and its possible a better solution will come along, but for now, Panterra Streams offers a compelling solution combining leading features, great customer service, and affordable pricing.
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.
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.
Always available and quick to respond. The team is also very knowledgeable so no waiting for a fix or an answer. At times they just go in and fix the setting vs telling you how to do it and sending you on your way. It's also done via text so you don't need to drop your call or be on hold
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.
Everything was fantastic. Training was sufficient and everything was easy to use. It was provided on our schedule and was very clear. I did the training myself. Training person was very knowledgeable. We are very happy. Only two users. very happy very happy very happy very happy very happy very happy
The implementation was very smooth. They assisted in getting phones tied to the various lines and getting everything set up in the admin portal. It's been a few years since our implementation, but there were no issues at the time.
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.
PanTerra Networks is viewed as more competitive, and close enough to win. Those other companies do offer more integrations off the shelve, and do have a more user friendly portal. Panterra does give the client a more personalized experience when it comes to the presentation, so the customer feels like they're getting a more personalized experience.
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
Very reliable. We make hundreds of calls outbound and there has never been a connectivity issue or otherwise
We decreased our monthly expense for reliable service by several hundred dollars
The onboarding support was the best we've ever experienced. They were on the phone while we hooked up every phone, tested, and got it all set up with ease.
Any changes needed after onboarding were difficult to accomplish without a call to customer service. Some of those calls to customer service made things more confusing
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.
