Skype for Business retirement: What happens next?

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Benefits of switching to MS Teams

Following Skype for Business Retirement, Microsoft Teams emerges as a dominant tool for improving organizational communication and collaboration rather than a mere replacement. 

Teams' array of features and upgrades provides multiple compelling benefits for corporations, schools, and organizations, making it an appealing option after Skype for Business Retirement. 

1. Simplified IT management

Teams function in the cloud, removing the need for on-premise servers and infrastructure maintenance. Microsoft handles upgrades effortlessly, making management simple, even for multi-location enterprises.

📚 Learn more about cloud vs on-premise security benefits.

2. Next-generation unified communications

Teams is a unified communications solution that integrates easily with Office 365. It provides advanced chat features, online meetings, and enterprise-grade security. 

Also, its phone infrastructure and calling plans allow for seamless connection across multiple devices.

3. Modern infrastructure and improved user experience

MS Teams is built on a scalable microservices architecture, resulting in efficient bandwidth utilization and minimum downtime during upgrades. 

Users benefit from speedier meeting join times and seamless browser experiences that do not require plug-ins.

4. Comprehensive feature set

Teams offer a complete set of services, such as document sharing, advanced video capabilities, and timekeeping tools, to help you be more productive and collaborative.

5. Increased productivity and ROI

An Independent study has confirmed considerable productivity gains with Teams, including up to four hours saved each week and ROI increases of up to 800%. 

These outcomes demonstrate the platform's capacity to increase organizational efficiency and success.

Why you should not switch to Teams after S4B retirement

Despite the benefits, however, there are several reasons why some firms may choose not to move to Teams following the Skype for Business retirement, ranging from on-premise deployment limits to security and integration issues. This is especially important for organizations in highly regulated industries such as Government and Defense, Finance, and Healthcare.

Finally, businesses should assess their specific needs and weigh all available possibilities before choosing a Skype for Business alternative.

1. No on-premise deployment

In Skype vs Teams debate, one major disadvantage of Teams is the lack of on-premise deployment alternatives. Unlike Skype for Business, which allowed enterprises to keep control over their infrastructure by hosting servers on-site, Teams is entirely cloud-based. 

This limitation may not be compatible with some organizations' infrastructure preferences, particularly those with stringent regulatory requirements or data sovereignty concerns.

2. Security concerns

GDPR compliance is critical for European firms dealing with sensitive data. However, the security protections in Teams may not entirely meet GDPR's rigorous criteria. 

While Microsoft has added several security safeguards within Teams, such as encryption and compliance certifications, some firms may still be wary of sending their data to a cloud-based platform. 

📚 Learn more about GDPR-compliant messaging.

3. Unbundling from the Office

Unlike earlier offers, MS Teams is now distinct from the Microsoft Office suite. This means that consumers can no longer rely on Microsoft Office as a combined product, potentially increasing expenses or creating logistical issues for enterprises that rely significantly on Office applications. 

On the other hand, it's liberating. You don't have to use Teams anymore.

After unbundling Teams from the MS Office, organizations are not forced to use Teams anymore. Instead, leaders can choose another tool for their business that better fits their needs.

4. User interface and cost

While Teams provides a variety of communication and collaboration functions, some users may feel that other products have a better user interface and pricing structure. 

Depending on an organization's specific needs, competitor platforms may provide a more intuitive user experience or a more competitive price, making them a more appealing MS Teams alternative.

The best alternative for secure team communication after Skype for Business retires

Rocket.Chat stands out as one of the most secure team communication apps following Skype for Business retirement. 

It emerges as the most adaptable solution, providing on-premise and air-gapped collaboration options for complete data management.

Rocket.Chat offers secure and decentralized communication by providing smooth cross-platform connectivity via bridges. Its features, including encrypted collaboration tools, federation capabilities, and GDPR-compliant messaging, make it the best option for security-conscious enterprises. 

Contact our sales team to learn more and move smoothly before Skype for Business services are discontinued.