Tag: business communication

  • Once the king of voice chat on the web, Skype is shutting down May 5th, 2025

    Once the king of voice chat on the web, Skype is shutting down May 5th, 2025

    Microsoft is no stranger to acquiring programs only to later shut them down (though they pale in comparison to Google’s own graveyard of acquisitions) and now Skype will be the latest casualty with a shutdown date of May 5th, 2025 being officially set.

    Skype, once the leader of online telecommunications and one of the original online video chat programs, began operating in 2022. Skype, which was a shortening of the original project name “Sky peer-to-peer” skyrocketed into popularity in the early 2000’s reaching 100 million users in 2006.

    After a tumultuous fall out with the early founders and buy outs that included eBay, Skype was sold to Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion. Microsoft quickly integrated Skype into their Office platform but with the release of Microsoft Teams in 2017 the writing was on the wall for Skype as to which Microsoft based communications platform would succeed in the long run.

    Skype failed to keep up with competitors during the pandemic when video chat use was at an all time high due to restrictions on in-person activities. Zoom, WhatsApp, Facetime and even Teams itself performed better in the same space – it’s been reported in 2023 just 36 million people still used Skype daily compared to it’s peak of 300 million users which mirrors Teams current daily active users.

    So it makes sense that Microsoft is shuttering Skype in favor of Teams here in 2025, but for those that are new to Microsoft Teams or even those that have already made the switch, what benefits are available that puts it above other communications programs still competing in the space?

    1. Integration with Microsoft 365: Teams naturally integrates very well with Microsoft 365, from booking a Teams meeting right from your Outlook client to creating groups that have a shared SharePoint folder that allows users to share files while they’re chatting about them in real time. If you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber you’re leaving features on the table if Team is not your communications platform of choice.
    2. Robust Team Collaboration Features: Unlike competitors like Zoom, which is mainly a video conferencing tool, Teams offers extensive team collaboration features like persistent chat, threaded conversations, shared workspaces, and built-in task management with Microsoft Planner and To-Do.
    3. Better Security and Compliance: Teams benefits from Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security, including end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with industry standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001.
    4. Unified Communication Hub: Microsoft Teams combines chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and project collaboration in one platform which will not be found in the competition which are largely standalone programs.
    5. Better Pricing for Enterprises: For businesses already using Microsoft 365, Teams is included at no extra cost, making it a more cost-effective solution. Other platforms may charge an arm and a leg for enterprise features such as longer meetings or hosting larger groups.

    Unifying communication in your company can be a game changer when it comes to making sure everyone is on the same page. Whether you’re looking to implement Microsoft Teams or optimize your existing communication tools, Valley Techlogic’s expert IT solutions can help you streamline collaboration, enhance productivity, and keep your business connected—anytime, anywhere. Reach out today for a consultation.

    Looking for more to read? We suggest these other articles from our site.

    This article was powered by Valley Techlogic, leading provider of trouble free IT services for businesses in California including Merced, Fresno, Stockton & More. You can find more information at https://www.valleytechlogic.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/valleytechlogic/ . Follow us on X at https://x.com/valleytechlogic and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/valley-techlogic-inc/.

  • Looking to up your online platform game? These 5 tools will help you run your online business better

    Looking to up your online platform game? These 5 tools will help you run your online business better

    If you’re running a business in 2023 you know that having an online presence is often the key to growth (and if you need advice on that we’ve written about it before), but how much of your workflow is presently in the digital workspace?

    We still see plenty of businesses that are still working off pen and paper, eschewing digital files for a wall of file cabinets and communicating via fax rather than email (did you know that you can receive fax via email now)?

    There’s nothing wrong with being old school, but it can slow down the kind of progress you’re hoping to make with your business. Nowadays, people expect an instantaneous response to their questions or concerns and if you’re not used to communicating that way it can cause them to look for a service that will, and automation can cement workflows that would otherwise be hit or miss when left up to an individual (like your marketing efforts via email).

    In a nutshell, it’s a good idea to bring as much of your business into the digital world as you possibly can. That doesn’t mean you can’t keep the techniques that helped you build your client base in the first place – but throwing a modern digital spin on them may help you reach more clients AND impress them.

    So, what are the five tools you should be looking into when it comes to upping your technological game?

    1. First there are marketing tools, such as a CRM (Customer Relationship Management). Beyond being a handy client database, many CRMs provide automated processes for tracking activities with those clients (such as phone calls or emails). It’s also a collaborative tool for your employees, if your employee Susan is wondering if Client A was called last week, she can just check the CRM rather than ask everyone in the office.
    2. Website building tools are also another great option for expanding your business, especially if you don’t currently have a website. It doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive process, depending on your needs it could be as simple as a one page informational that includes items like your location, hours, and contact information. Making sure your business can be found in a web search is an important part of attracting new customers.
    3. If you’re still handling paper checks for all of your transactions and are left waiting for payments to come in the mail, we ask – why? Online payment processing options have grown dramatically, and they could not be easier to use, for you OR your clients. We think it’s always a good idea to give people more options to give you their money as well.
    4. Branding for your business doesn’t have to be complicated. If you have a company logo that’s really all you need to get started using tools like Canva or Adobe Express. There are many pre-loaded templates for you to use to advertise your business, you just add your logo and download to post on your social media pages (we’ve written about improving your social media presence as well).
    5. Communication tools are another big area you can improve your business technologically, not just with your clients but with your employees as well. Online meetings grew in popularity in the last few years, and we think they’re still an excellent way to keep in touch with clients who might otherwise not want to expend the time or effort on an in-person meeting. You can also use chat programs to touch base with employees without interrupting their workflow with a phone call or visit to their office. We use Microsoft Teams here at Valley Techlogic but there are many great and versatile options available now.

    Of course, the best way to improve your business’ technological prowess is to engage with a technical provider that can knows the ins and outs of today’s modern technology and can best support your efforts to grow your business. That’s where Valley Techlogic comes in.

    Interested in learning more? Schedule a consultation with us today.

    Looking for more to read? We suggest these other articles from our site.

    This article was powered by Valley Techlogic, an IT service provider in Atwater, CA. You can find more information at https://www.valleytechlogic.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/valleytechlogic/ . Follow us on Twitter at https://x.com/valleytechlogic.