Shift vs. Skype (discontinued)

For me, Shift works best as a dedicated app switcher, not a browser replacement. I keep it open on my second screen as a quick-reference hub for my most-used tools and email accounts. One glance shows me unread counts across every inbox, and I can jump straight into whatever I need without digging through browser tabs.
The separation is a big part of why it works well for me. My browser stays my browser, and Shift stays my app space. Both feel cleaner and faster to navigate that way. Everything is right there, clear and icon-based, and being able to turn badges on or off per app means I only see what actually needs my attention.
I tried the newer Shift browser and it felt too busy, and it lost the separation I liked in the first place.

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Having interacted with a new replacement tool, Microsoft Teams, it is challenging to recommend Skype, as it lacks some essential features, such as being less equipped with the latest updates, and it is not platform-independent, causing issues on PCs and phones, as well as during calls that might hinder work.

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• Consolidation of accounts. Keeps everything tidy without having to search for browser tabs.
• Ability to add an array of apps outside of email. You can build out workspaces to keep work further organised into logical units.
• Being able to import accounts and passwords from Google Chrome makes for an easy setup/adoption.

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• The instant chat function is great. Very straightforward, easy to use, easy to learn, no technical issues.
• Video calls are pretty easy also, user friendly and a mostly stable connection with no issues.
• Voice calls are easy also, eliminates the need for an external landline or the need to use your cell phone. Clear connections, not really any dropped calls.

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• The browser doesn't always work. Some websites refuse to load, and others time out too quickly. It is not as strong or robust a web browser as Chrome.
• Unread counts are not always accurate.
• I wish I could set up Google Suite products as separate workspaces.

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• Skype is a RESOURCE hog. People who have limited bandwidth will have poor call quality.
• It is hard to figure out how to use emojis and upload images in the chat.
• The background images do not fool anybody....it is clearly not your real background.

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Shift has significantly streamlined your daily operations by bringing together all your tools, accounts, and workflows into one platform. This has reduced context-switching and improved overall productivity across Bamboo Orchard’s Innovation Studio and Venture Studio operations.The ability to create custom workspaces tailored to different projects, clients, and teams ensures that each aspect of your business is optimized for performance. This flexibility supports the unique, bespoke solutions Bamboo Orchard is known for delivering. Shift has enhanced collaboration by integrating communication tools like Slack, Zoom, and email with task management platforms. This has allowed teams to work together seamlessly, even in remote or hybrid environments. By eliminating the need for constant tab-switching and manual management of accounts, Shift has saved considerable time and effort for the team, allowing you to focus more on strategic innovation and client support. Shift’s functionality aligns perfectly with Bamboo Orchard’s mission to deliver bold, transformative innovation and tailored solutions. It supports your ability to execute efficiently and maintain focus on reshaping industries for your clients.

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I have given this rating as this need to give more than that as it's very helpful for us and makes our work more efficient and fast.

Setting up Shift is very simple and highly intuitive, making it easy to use. Once you set up the accounts and program integrations, you can easily click on precisely what you need, requiring barely any thought or effort. It feels truly seamless and straightforward to use. I have no issues with use, and I use it every day.

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Skype is not as good as Facetime in terms of ease to glance at it and figure out how it works. I think that's a result of Skype trying to be too many things at once. A lot of the menu and UI could be streamlined, and I would jettison some of the additional functions that have been tacked on over the years to simplify. That being said, while some options are slightly hard to find, they all work flawlessly once found.

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Its basically been great. In 3 years I had one issue of repeated crashes which was fixed with a version change and an issue where slack wouldn't load after a slack update but that fixed within a few weeks

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Its pretty performant on my GPU based laptop as it can use the hardware to accelerate processing. However it is memory hungry. If I had a normal amount of RAM on my laptop I wouldn't imagine it would be a little slower

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I have only had to use their support a couple of times, but was able to get an answer and things resolved within a couple of hours. There was no issue with contacting them, received responses and updates in a timely manner and they were able to resolve the small issues we had. It was a pleasure to work with them

I am not aware of the current support level for Skype for business, as I have never used even though I have the product. However, the support for Skype's personal paid users is not where it could be. Users who pay for Skype features do not have a clear path to reach out to support. So, rating 6, can be better as soon as I need to use Skype for business support and get a good experience. I will say that I will renew Skype for Business subscription, which is a significant inconsistency on my end. The explanation is that Skype for Business comes bundled with Office for Business, with no additional cost, so why not.

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I was completely satisfied with the implementation of Shift, rating it a 10. The process was straightforward and required minimal effort to get started. Key insights include the importance of pre-configuring the app with essential tools and accounts for the team to ensure a smooth transition. Shift’s intuitive setup and integration process allowed us to onboard quickly without disrupting workflows. Additionally, its user-friendly design made it easy for team members to adapt without extensive training.

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It can be used on the phone via mobile application as well as on the desktop by logging in to the website. Easily installed and ready to use.

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I came from using a similar app called MailPlane, some of you older users might remember this app. It had a similar function to connect Gmail accounts so that I could use Gmail like a regular app. This app reached end of life and the developers no longer decided to keep the app active. I was then back into the market in search of a comparable app and my searched led me to fine Shift. I'm absolutely glad I did! 4 years later and I'm still using Shift. It was 2021 when MailPlane stopped selling licenses. If I remember correctly I switched to Shift around this time or possible before. All I know is I switched and never looked back and was extremely happy to find Shift.

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We use Skype in combination with Grasshopper. While Grasshopper acts as a routing toll free number with extensions, if we are making calls directly, we do it through Skype. Skype's desktop and mobile apps are easier to use, and provide unlimited local calls at a flat, affordable rate. Allowing our team to use their existing mobile or desktop devices without additional hardware for business office phone calls is important, and Skype makes that possible

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All our departments use this product and its very effective at keeping us organised on a client by client basis

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The service provided is up to date, as discussed before buying.

• Keeping all my inboxes in one place so I can easily shift between them 1000% increases my productivity
• reducing the number of browser and application tabs helps keep my computer running quicker.
• I can easily see the number of emails in each inbox and prioritize accordingly throughout the day.

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• Skype made keeping in touch with an advisor in Mexico very easy. The initiative there resulted in 5 new partnerships.
• Skype has helped me with account management for at least 3 customers in LATAM--usually it's a fast way to answer a question about a support renewal.
• For about 9 months Skype helped me stay in touch with a colleague in Prague. We would meet once a week to go over sales activities.

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