What is Skype for Business ?

Skype is one of the most popular online communication apps, and for good reason—it allows users to seamlessly communicate through multiple channels, including: email, instant messaging (IM), VoIP (voice over IP), voicemail, file transferring, video conferencing and web conferencing. This makes Skype for business particularly attractive for companies looking to streamline their long-distance communication.Skype’s rapid success, coupled with its huge corporate potential, prompted Microsoft to purchase the company in 2011 in a deal worth well over $8 billion. And in 2015, Microsoft released Skype for Business (SFB), formerly known as Microsoft Lync Server, to specifically address corporate communication needs.

Why Use Skype for Business?

Microsoft’s founding ideology behind SFB was to provide a comprehensive enterprise communication solution for all. And one could argue that it succeeded.

With its unique blend of online business communication options, Skype for Business allows you to communicate however you want, wherever you want, and with however many people you need. In fact, you can add up to 250 people to your video conferences—more than 10 times the limit on the ordinary Skype app. Other Skype for Business advantages for both medium and large businesses include:

Extensive Support for Different Platforms

SFB is compatible with a number of mobile and desktop devices, as well as many modern web browsers. This, combined with the overwhelming popularity of Skype, allows your employees to connect with each other from virtually anywhere in the world and on any device.

PBX Compatibility

Skype for Business lets you utilize your existing legacy PBX until the contract expires, which significantly reduces your phone bill. And if you wish to call someone who isn’t online, you can dial them up via Skype Credit, which costs a lot less than the fees charged by traditional phone companies.

Secured Access

The app makes it possible for businesses to secure the enterprise forum by only allowing authorized users into the forum. Skype for Business also gives businesses greater control over user authentication and security. For example, Skype for Business administrators can limit employees to utilizing only approved devices that meet their corporate security requirements.

Exclusive Features

SFB comes with many exclusive features that you don’t get with the traditional Skype app. These include:

• Persistent chat rooms. Easily access, monitor, and participate in dedicated chat rooms for specific topics, such as team projects.
• High-definition video. Makes it possible to hold high quality video conferences/meetings minimizing video lags or inferior quality footage.
• Compatibility with third-party services. Skype for business is compatible with Polycom and Cisco endpoints via RealConnect for Office 365.

Other Skype for Business Features

Skype for Business offers several features that enhance business communication. These include:

• The ability to share files, screens, and applications, as well as use a whiteboard, within a communication session.
• Enhanced presenter controls that are optimized for meeting formats, audience size, and content source.
• Option to control your on-forum presence, based on Outlook Calendar or Out of Office status.
• Push notifications and support for external devices, such as keyboards.
• Auto-attendant system that can answer and further route any inbound calls.
• The incorporation of open video coding standards, such as the H.264 video codec.
• The ability to record and archive messages and conference sessions.

Using Skype for Business

Microsoft offers multiple options for deploying SFB, such as installing it on premises or using a hybrid installation with cloud servers. The deployment can support anywhere from 4,000 to 100,000 users. However, for larger deployments, Microsoft recommends using multiple servers to balance the load and facilitate availability and functionality.

Businesses looking to incorporate Skype for Business with their existing PSTN/ISDN must make use of the Mediation Server – in addition to an IP PBX gateway. The gateway forms the cessation point for the ISDN and further communicates with the platform using SIP, and allows for the encryption and decryption of the Secure Real-time Transport Protocol where the Skype for Business server resides.

Skype for Business Desktop

Skype for Business on a desktop offers users multiple secure communication channels that can provide great value for business. In addition to communication, there are several other services Skype for Business offers. Some of them are:

• Database management
• User registration
• Call routing
• Instant messaging
• Presence services for on-server clients

However, the deployment criteria of the application demands the desktop to at least function a Windows 2012 operating system on a 64-bit server.

Mobile and remote users require an edge server to support the application, whereas external users also require an edge server to download any content from the forum, or files from the Address Book Server.

Skype for Business Web

The Skype for Business web app is available on the following operating systems:

• Windows 7–10
• Windows Server
• OS X 10.8 or later

It can also be accessed from any of the following browsers:

• Edge
• Internet Explorer 11
• Firefox
• Safari
• Chrome

Modern-day businesses are in need of a communication platform that provides increased connective feasibility without compromising on enterprise-grade security. Skype for Business is Microsoft’s offering in an attempt to provide a comprehensive solution to such problems.

While the final verdict rests with the users, the added options coupled with the enhanced security makes Skype for Business an optimal fit for the corporate world.

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Dynamics 365 vs Oracle: Who Has the Best ERP Solution?

During the initial phase of a company, you only need a few employees to process the customers’ requirements. You can serve hassle-free information requests from customers by hand.

As time goes by, you start growing rapidly from a startup to a mid-size organization. As your business needs increase, you can’t rely on the old, manual systems. Your many customers may not be satisfied with a slow delivery mechanism. For a thriving business, you need a systematic approach to tackle different issues which may arise while managing the finance and other operations.

Managing day-to-day activities can be challenging—that’s why companies are increasingly moving to enterprise resources planning solutions like Dynamics 365 and Oracle. For those who don’t know, ERP is a software solution that provides businesses with information necessary to efficiently manage their processes. However, with so many options in the marketplace, choosing the right ERP solution can be challenging. Since it can be your largest and most important investment, you shouldn’t take it lightly.

To help you make the right decision, we are comparing the two leading vendors in the industry: Dynamics 365 vs Oracle.

Dynamics 365 Overview

Dynamics 365 is the next-gen ERP solution Microsoft launched in November 2016. Since its launch, there has been a lot of buzz in the market about the product. Some analysts think it is just a merger of CRM and ERP while others believe it is far more than that. Dynamics 365 is capable of providing a helping hand in finance and operations, marketing, sales, customer service, etc.

Dynamics 365 is a true business intelligence tool because unlike many other ERP solutions, it is cloud-based. It comes with powerful tools such as Cortana intelligence and robust business skills making it stiff competition for other ERP solutions on the market.

Powered by Microsoft technologies, it smoothly integrates different Windows applications. For instance, you can synchronize it with Microsoft Outlook so that users can update inventory and sales quotes directly from the email. Dynamics 365 is a massive integrated system but comes with a straightforward and easy to understand user interface.

Oracle Sales Cloud Overview

The journey of Oracle CRM started in 1998 with the launch of products such as ‘Oracle Marketing Online,’ ‘Oracle Sales Online,’ etc. However, it came into the big picture when it took control over Siebel Systems in 2004.Today, Oracle relishes the lion share of the total ERP market. It offers a wide range of applications to manage sales and service operations.

Oracle’s Customer Experience platform is divided up into different clouds. Each cloud has a distinct set of functionalities.

Oracle clouds:

• Marketing Cloud
• Sales Cloud
• Engagement Cloud
• Loyalty Cloud
• CPQ
• Service Cloud
• Social Cloud

Oracle Sales Cloud

Oracle’s Sales Cloud is a great tool that can empower an organization and help them earn more leads and be more productive. This application has been designed to give sales departments adequate support and information so that they can make smart business decisions at crucial stages.

The Oracle Sales Cloud tool provides users with varying capabilities that enable high organization and productivity.

Dynamics 365 vs Oracle Sales Cloud: A Quick Comparison

• Let’s look at a brief comparison of both ERP solutions and find which can better help you achieve your goals. Note that these statistics come from a report published by Panorama Consulting.

Market Share

Undoubtedly, both Dynamics 365 and Oracle are big players, but Dynamics 365 has a slight edge over Oracle in terms of market share .

• Dynamics 365 – 16% of the total ERP Market share
• Oracle – 13% of the total ERP Market share

Dynamics 365 vs Oracle Sales Cloud Result: Dynamics 365 is the winner in this category.

Implementation Duration

There are many factors which can influence implementation duration such as complications of business processes, type of software, type of industry, and organization size.

Here is the planned and actual implementation duration for both Dynamics 365 and Oracle.

• Implementation Duration for Dynamics 365

Planned – 21.4 months

Actual – 24.9 months

• Implementation Duration for Oracle

Planned – 20.4 months

Actual – 23.4 months

Dynamics 365 vs Oracle Sales Cloud Result: Both companies took approximately 15% more time than what was planned. Dynamics 365 did take a bit more time in total than Oracle. Oracle takes this one, but not by much.

Project Cost

The total project cost includes the cost of the actual system and its implementation and customization.

• Dynamics 365 – $2.06 Million
• Oracle – $2.05 Million

Dynamics 365 vs Oracle Sales Cloud Result: Draw

Functionality Achieved

Today, most organizations are implementing new systems to enhance their business benefits. Functionality achieved is the percentage of companies that have used more functionality of their ERP.

• Dynamics 365 – 55%
• Oracle – 74%

Dynamics 365 vs Oracle Sales Cloud Result: Oracle is the clear winner in this category since users were able to use more of the functionalities from the system

Supported Devices

• Oracle – Windows, Mac, Web-based
• Dynamics 365 – Windows, Android,  Mac, Web-based

Support Available

• Oracle – Phone, Ticket, Live Support and Training
• Dynamics 365 – Phone, Ticket

Languages Available

• Oracle – International, USA, France, Canada, China, UK, Japan, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, Portugal
• Dynamics 365 – International, USA, Canada, UK, China, Germany, India, Japan, Spain, Russia, Italy, Dutch, Portugal, Polish, Turkish, Swedish

Key Strengths

Oracle

• An established market leader.
• Offers better customer support
• Support integration with MS Office, Gmail, IBM Notes, etc.

Dynamics 365

• Easy to Learn
• Quick integration of CRM
• Support by advanced Microsoft assets such as Azure, Cortana Intelligence, BI tools, etc.

Now, let’s move to features and benefits in different day-to-day operations.

Benefits of Dynamics 365 for Finance and Business Operations

Dynamics 365 enterprise edition was upgraded in July 2017. Now, it has advanced features that can meet the requirements for even the most complex organizations.

Inventory Management

By using a single unified database, users can manage and keep track of all their inventory records. They can compare the sales performance of individual items and check their history.

Accounts Receivable

Users can easily customize the template of an invoice. They can add or remove fields according to their requirements. Besides this, the Account Receivable (AR) automation feature helps users minimize turnaround time and enables the supply, inventory, purchase, customer service, and other processes to be easy and transparent.

With the help of Dynamics 365, you can reprocess documents against budget control. You may scan documents against possible issues.Maintenance of Budget Control Data

CFO Overview Workspace, users can find the full state of their business including sales, purchasing, cash flow data, etc. on the CFO overview workspace.

Benefits of Oracle Sales Cloud

Sales Force Automation

This amazing feature helps users perform a myriad of tasks simultaneously. For instance, you can manage sales opportunities, partner relationships, and task and activity management together. Beyond this, it enables you to sync email, contact tools, and calendars with your CRM system.

Marketing Automation

Marketing Automation allows users to perform various marketing tasks such as send bulk emails, manage leads, and optimize multiple channel marketing campaigns. Moreover, it also helps in analyzing return on investment.

Reporting and Analytics

Oracle Sales Cloud makes reporting and analytics exceptionally easy. You can even forecast your sales revenue by using market surveys, the latest marketing trends, and historical sales data.

Social Network Integration

With its social integration feature, you can reach your target audience and engage with them on public social networks. This is an effective technique to leverage the ability of popular social media to increase your marketing efforts.

Dynamics 365 vs Oracle Sales Cloud: Final Words

Not all ERP solutions have the same purpose. Both Dynamics 365 and Oracle have millions of fans and a significant share in the ERP market. The system that is right for you will solely depend on your preferences and requirements.Selecting the right ERP can be one of your biggest investments. Therefore, it should be given thoughtful consideration before finalizing the decision. 

We can help you implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM solution all you need to do is drop us a mail with your requirements for a Quote

If at all you want to go have an open licence CRM then we have LATVIK CRM  based on LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL PHP) based CRM then just visit here >>  https://latvikcrm.blogspot.com 

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Latvik Blog Team

LATVIK TECHNOLOGIES ™ 

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Why your Business needs Management Software

Does your workday look something like this? You spend countless hours sifting through Excel spreadsheets or switching from one application to another to find the data you need. Eventually, the lost time adds up—but your workflow doesn’t have to be this inefficient.
Have you heard about Dynamics 365 Business Central? This enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is designed to connect data from several departments in your company and store it in a single database. With it, your staff will have access to all the data they need. And as a business owner, you’ll get a 360-degree view of your operations and know exactly what’s happening with your finances, inventory, customer service, and more. To learn more about buying an ERP system, read our blog.

Want to know more about how Business Central can help you streamline your company’s functions? 

We know what you’re thinking—my business is too small for this kind of solution. But the truth is that no business is too small for a solution that will help it be more efficient. If you want to succeed in today’s competitive market, you have to be faster and sharper than the guy down the street.

Did you know? A recent survey by Panorama Consulting Solutions found that 64% of business owners decided to implement ERP software to improve business performance. Source: Panorama Consulting Solutions 2018 ERP Report.

Whether you run a 10-person shop or a larger company with up to 50 employees, you really should consider this solution. Here are some of the ways Business Central will make your company more efficient.

1. Get a Grip on Your Finances

Let’s say you run a specialty coffee shop. How do you keep track of all your payments and invoices? Are they piled up in a folder in your filing cabinet? Do you have one file folder for payables and another for receivables? Maybe you’re still using a rolodex system to store your client and supplier contact information!

A management system like Business Central would allow you to store all invoices, payments and credit card transactions in one place. In just a few clicks, you’d get a real-time view of your monthly revenue and expenses. Your accountant would also be happy because she’d have automatic access to all client transactions. She’d know right away who pays their bills on time and who doesn’t.

2. Take Control of Your Inventory

It’s easy for a three-person shop to keep a close eye on what’s sitting in the backroom. However, as your business starts to grow, controlling inventory becomes more of a challenge. If you run a catering business and have a big job coming up, do you have a sure-fire way of knowing you’ll have enough food to feed your clients? If you run out of chicken breasts because another member of your staff used them for a recent banquet, you could be in big trouble. You need a reliable way of managing your inventory. With a system like Business Central, each chef who works for you would have access to the same up-to-date information about the number of chicken breasts and salmon filets that are sitting in your fridge at any given time. No more scrambling to find a decent supplier at the last minute.

Did you know?

A recent study by the Motorola Solutions Future of Warehousing predicts that 66% of retailers will make a significant investment in inventory management technology throughout 2018. Source: SkuNexus, October 18, 2018.

3. Find Important Business Information When You Need It

If I asked you how many orders your company got last week, would you be able to tell me right away? Not all small business owners would have an immediate answer to this question. That’s because they don’t have direct access to the data—these figures are usually kept by the accounting or sales departments and rarely made available to other members of the company.

As we mentioned earlier, you have to be quick on the draw to last in today’s competitive market. And that means having important information readily available. Business Central would give decision-makers like you a complete overview of all your operations, whenever you need it. With just a few clicks, you would see what the sales department is doing, which customers have placed orders, and when their products would be shipped. You’d also have information on client history—such as buying habits—that would help your customer service agents better respond to your customers’ needs.

4. Bring Your Accounting Department Up to Scratch

Sluggish accounting is one of the first signs of an inefficient company. Is your accounting staff still using paper-based invoices to keep track of sales? Do they spend countless hours manually entering this information into various accounting and sales applications? Think of what you could accomplish if all these tasks were automated with a single database! You’d also narrow the margin of human error that occurs when people have to enter this kind of information manually.

5. Stop Fighting with Your Technology

You’re a business person, not a technology wiz. So the last thing you want to do is spend your day trying to figure out how to customize and upgrade all your software systems. You’d be better off letting a cloud provider like LATVIK TECHNOLOGIES build a new solution for you.
We can customize Dynamics 365 Business Central to suit your specific needs. And we can help you expand it when your business starts to grow. You won’t need a whole new infrastructure to run it and won’t have to worry about technical support—because that’s our job. You’ll also benefit from pay-as-you-go billing; you use the applications when you want them, and you’re billed for what you actually use. It’s that simple.



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Best Regards ,

Latvik Blog Team

LATVIK TECHNOLOGIES ™ 

www.latvikhost.com | https://latviktechnologies.blogspot.com