Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams vs. Webex App

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

I would really recommend Webex App to any of colleague or recommend the company's management to start using Webex App for virtual meeting in their organization as once the Webex App is installed in the system and most probably working professionals have access to high quality internet, it becomes extremely user-friendly and convenient to have a call with any of the team member of the organization.

Incentivized

• 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.

• High-quality, high-impact communications in our workflow.
• It's great for sharing large documents, it doesn't slow down our communications.
• The dark mode is excellent, it has a good image and seamless integration features.
• We can record meetings, which is perfect for backing up any information that may be overlooked.

Incentivized

• 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

• Easier group discussions, as default title is always "General" then the people listed, it can be difficult for some users to visualize who they are talking to if done quickly.
• The ability to set my status as "available" so people know they can reach out to me, even if I haven't been at my desk for 10 minutes.
• The ability to send a message based on someone's availability status (i.e. not in a meeting, or not presenting) rather than just time.

Incentivized

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

I don’t have access to video features.) In an age when our smartphones
do everything but call our friends, family, or clients, it’s refreshing
to have a desktop app that can make calls in the smartphone’s place. It
seems appropriate in a time when we’re all worried about the robots
rising and taking over the world. Why not transfer the functionality of a
telephone to the same computer where we program those world-dominating
robots? It’s practical. Cisco Jabber takes the classic idea of making
calls with a phone and puts it in the same place where we spend most of
our worktime. This frees up desk space, as well as keeps the smartphone
available for what it was invented to do: take Instagram photos. Not to
mention, because it has its own number, it makes it easier to contact
clients without having to give them your personal phone number. Need to
make a call, but you don’t want to share your home phone? Cisco Jabber
makes that easy. And best of all, because you call through your
computer, all you need is a microphone to speak and speakers to listen,
and you never have to pick up the phone at all. If you hate having
sweaty ears, then Cisco Jabber is your app of choice. Note: Because I
have access to phone features only, and Cisco Jabber has more available
that I can’t use, I can see where it may also be a pro for business
owners that Cisco apparently allows custom features availability for
users, depending on roles.

Incentivized

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.

Webex is quite usable, and it is, in fact very easy to use as well. You don't need a lot of documentation to learn how to use the app as it's mostly self-explanatory. The user interface is easy on the eyes, and people can see buttons without issues. Overall, WebEx's front-end design is great and I don't have much issue with it.

Incentivized

I would say every time I open it, it is there, there are times that our users have to sign out and back in to get it to work or even do a full exit as the app will disconnect from the controlling the desk phone, but some easy steps to sign-out or fully exit the app gets the user back up and running quickly.

Incentivized

Software loads and runs well. I like the ability to run the full app version, or, just run through a browser using a lightweight webex experience. In a pinch, this ability has saved my bacon when I had to connect in an emergency on a borrowed phone or computer

Incentivized

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

The support team is quick in reverting to the issues faced, and it has multiple language support, which would be very helpful for some instances. Their expertise in resolving queries is instantaneous. Most of the common lags/issues in the application are identified and fixed with regular updates.

Incentivized

I am very satisfied with my experience with Webex App in online training. The creation of the event is very easy with the possibility of scheduling it in advance. The management of participants, organizers, and animators is complete. The invitations are automated and by simply using emails we can create all the schedules of the training session

Very easy to create. All operations are done without any problems with our business growth. All people like the experience including me as an instructor. The tools that WebEx App offers us are very complete for working in a virtual classroom, whether it is sharing the screen, the different display modes, the whiteboard, or even the scoring tools on the screen, it allows me to do my job as an instructor as if I was face to face with the participants.

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

There was quite a bit of back and forth with TAC and Cisco Reps to get it fully up and running but we did get there. Some of which had to do with documentation was not fully understandable. But with Cisco TAC we were able to get fully up and running.

Incentivized

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

A lot of drops from calls/meetings frustrated me and my customers in some cases, but with Webex App, I see very less (or even null) drops, even when I am streaming HD content through my camera, even when I connected with the support team for other products for an explanation, they blame it on ISP even though my ISP gives around 200 Mbps speed, Webex App is miraculously never "affected" by ISP speed.

Incentivized

Once everything is in place on the back end getting Webex on a user's PC is now very easy and with single sign-on, users are able to sign in without having to remember another password. Just make sure you have all the user settings in CUCM, CUC set right, and that they have the needed licenses in Webex Control Hub.

Incentivized

• 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

• Cisco Jabber helped us develop a Business Continuity Plan in case of emergencies.
• It allowed our employees to answer their office-phones remotely.
• It saved us a 10.000$ investment every 4 years on the desk phones for only the Turkey office, possibly much higher figures on the global scale of Hilti.

Incentivized