Communications platforms have completely revolutionized how we interact with each other on a daily basis, and have become, especially during the pandemic, a vital link to allow team members to effectively communicate and collaborate and stay productive while physically apart.
But why implement a communications platform in your organization? Further, which communications platform should you choose? That’s what this blog is here to explore. Read more to learn about four of the top communications platforms – Yammer, Slack, Microsoft Teams (Teams), and Workplace from Meta (Workplace).
Why Choose a Communications Platform?
Before we get into the details of the four communications platforms we’re going to be featuring in this blog, let’s explore the use case for implementing one.
Pandemic notwithstanding, it’s pretty clear that we are in the age of digital communication. There are less in-person conversations happening and more dialogue taking place online. When you consider that 72% of the world population only access the internet via mobile, it should stand to reason why digital communications platforms are becoming more and more popular.
Through the last decade, we have seen several technologies emerge, and die, as they claim to connect, improve communication and collaboration for organizations. However, four prevalent technologies have risen to the top: Yammer, Slack, Teams, and Workplace.
The History of These Communications Platforms
The history of each of these four communications platforms is fascinating:
Features and Benefits of The Top 4 Communications Platforms: Yammer, Slack, Workplace, and Teams
While each tool seems to have a unique purpose, there are several features which overlap. Below, we’ve collected the main features of each tool for easy comparison:
|
Yammer |
Slack |
Workplace |
Microsoft Teams |
|
| Investment: | Freemium; Included with O365 or Entreprise Paid Option | Freemium version; 2 Business level versions | Freemium version; Business & frontline solution; Enterprise version. | Includes in O365; Freemium version; Business & frontline solution. |
| Security: | HTTPS for Freemium; EU, SOC and ISO standards for paid version | EU, SOC and ISO standards | EU, SOC and ISO standards | EU, SOC and ISO standards |
| Features (see below): | ||||
| Login Requirements |
(SSO with paid version) |
Email, ID Code, SSO | Email, ID Code, SSO | |
| Open API | With paid version | With paid version | With paid version | With paid version |
| Engagement | Like, Comment, Follow | Like, Comment | Like, Comment, Follow | Like, Comment |
| Groups | Yes | With paid version | Yes | Yes |
| Video (Upload, Creator) | Yes | With paid version | Yes | Yes |
| Live Streaming | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Direct Messages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Member Directory | Yes | With paid version | Yes | With paid version |
| Org Charts | Yes | With paid version | With paid version | No |
| Analytics | With paid version | With paid version | With paid version | No |
| @Mentions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Feeds | Yes | With paid version | Yes | No |
| External Network Integration | Yes | With paid version | Yes | No |
| Data Export | With paid version | With paid version | With paid version | With paid version |
| Announcements | With paid version | With paid version | Yes | No |
| User Management | With paid version | With paid version | With paid version | With paid version |
Which Communications Platform is Best for Your Organization?
Each of the tools we’ve highlighted above has a baseline of common features, such as:
- Direct Messaging
- Groups
- Image, Link, File Sharing
- Mobile App
- @Mentions
- Video Conferencing
However, there may be some differences within the platforms above that would make one or two of these tools much more suitable for your organization’s unique needs. Not sure which communications platform is right for you? Let’s chat! Book some time with our team to go over your options.
Some Communications Platforms Work Better Together!
Of course, another trend that we’re seeing with communications platforms is that no communications platform is an island, entire of itself (to partially quote John Donne’s famous poem!) – some communications platforms work better together!
Take, for instance, Workplace and Teams – there’s absolutely no doubt that they’re powerful, stand-alone communications platforms, but when integrated with each other, organizations can achieve even greater business outcomes, and create even better best-in-class employee experiences! It’s like, working together, they become a magic wand for your internal communications.
To see if Workplace and Teams would be a good fit for your organization, check out our mini assessment below. The five simple questions will help you to determine if your own better together story is just waiting for you.
Want to explore Teams and Workplace in greater detail? This on-demand webinar is for you!
If you had a magic wand that could help make your internal communications so much more fluid, create meaningful connections, and increase the sense of belonging, would you use it?
Workplace from Meta and Microsoft Teams together are that magic wand! Watch our on-demand webinar curated for internal communications leaders to explore how that magic wand can be utilized within your organization.
Using Workplace and Teams already?
If your team would like more clarity around how both technologies can be used together and better for a higher adoption and ROI, we will be happy to chat. We can help you create the strategy to implement and adopt both Workplace and Teams in your organization.
Not using Workplace yet?
Ever found that grabbing a pen and jotting some ideas down, or asking a few people to brainstorm ideas lead to a better, more helpful conversation? We have! So, let’s book a brainstorming session!
From this brainstorming session, we’ll help you to see a visual blueprint that will show you how your existing technologies and Workplace from Meta can integrate to help close the gaps between your business goals and objectives and your technology capabilities.
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