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Microsoft’s Video Conferencing Platform, Skype, Left in the Dust. How Did Zoom Seize the Opportunity to its Advantage? All You Need to Know!

As the world entrenched into isolation last year, the sparring of video communication became a prudent approach. Zoom Video Communications Inc., along with other copious corporations ameliorated the social distancing bearings during the pandemic. The maker of the ubiquitous video conferencing tool has soared another emphatic growth period as it incessantly manifested a dominance over the markets.

Over the years, Zoom has emerged as an intricate yet comprehensive platform for connecting people across the globe. Although its business model has not ramped up record highs compared to the proffering companies in the industries, its loyal fan base, and perpetual innovations have forwarded Zoom a pretentious way ahead. In such a short span, it has gained one of the rare privileged corporate feats, which still is a pipedream for the established conglomerates. It’s the verse that is being now utilized in our everyday lives. To Zoom, indicates chat by video, just like Google means to search the web.


Looking back at 2013, when the Tech giant Microsoft launched its video conferencing platform, Skype, it converted the working styles of many individuals. The communication adversities were forbidden, and soon the company gripped its virtue across the global economy. Its rippling went swiftly as its growth years, and it is apparent that Zoom has left Skype stranded in the woods. Although the Microsoft-owned video conferencing platform has regulated the markets longer than most of the companies, yet it has lost its uprightness. Very rarely do we observe people say, “I’ll Skype you.”

Ever since we shifted to isolation mode, the surroundings have adapted accordingly to suit our lifestyle. With the emergence of video communication, we have been able to get linked to interviews, meetings, conferences, and so on. Skype, however, has wobbled out of the competition. It is challenging to predict why a product hypes or falls in the fashion trends. But a worldwide analysis has shown that it presumably depends on price, quality, performance, and accessibility.

How Microsoft let Skype lose out to Zoom

It has become inevitably clear that if you don’t match the intensity of the network, then you will fumble in the industry. It does not matter how rich or pretentious the company might be, just like Today’s scenario with Microsoft. Skype, isn’t the only high-handed product that has shown concerning signs for the tech giant. Almost two decades, Internet Explorer dominated the market king-sized, and its vogue was immaculate. Who could have expected that the penetration would come to a downfall as Microsoft plans to adieu the platform in August? Alongside, a month after we will bid farewell to the video conferencing tool Skype, which has now been replaced by an intriguing developed tool, Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft has acknowledged that it can’t completely abandon its web browsing, and that’s why Edge unveiled it as the latest cross-platform for business users. The lucrative business model has resorted to lessening its core offerings, in order to avoid complications in the longer term. Despite the reshuffling of its packs, Microsoft wouldn’t have to tweak its established video conferencing base if it had moduled efficient measures for Skype in the first place. The time has passed, and new challenges lie ahead.

zoom vs skype

The tussle between Zoom and Skype has come to standstill.

In 2011, Microsoft undertook a riskier step towards gaining a prominent position across the tech firms. It acquired Skype for $8.5 billion after reviewing its enormous success over the years. At that point, Zoom was inaugurating its way to the dynamic setup while Skype had seized its zeal. Zoom’s technology could also get instilled on mobile devices, while Skype showed limited versatility. The apprehension forwarded across the markets, which precipitated the downfall of Skype and Microsoft. Browsers that were well-versed with working on mobile phones collaborated with the interests of many users. Google Chrome’s secure network and faster speed started dispensing off the user coverage of Microsoft.

When Microsoft looked to procrastinate addressing the stumbling block, it gave headway to a number of stalling nightmares. Haphazardly, the roadblock started to emulsify and the readjustments just didn’t work out. The perception drawn out by the experts was that the platform was riddled with technical aspects, which made it difficult to understand for the common users.

Since we centered the study across isolation, it would be bemusing not to conversate about the coronavirus pandemic. According to Verge, Skype’s initial count of users was around 23 million, which increased to 70 million during Covid-19. The product initially grabbed astonishing numbers but didn’t have enough prowess to maintain the lead. Zoom clutched the opportunity and instituted feasible use for its users. The specifications that stimulate both companies apart is the frequency of bugs and glitches. Highly possessed in Skype, whereas negligently overlooked by Zoom. It also gives us a chance to prognosis their growth over the years.

Zoom has constantly tried to amend its platform, giving its users a propelling visual representation. On the other hand, Skype’s misfortune scaled due to its rigidity in following the stereotype. Next up was Zoom’s feasibility in inviting people around for a quick chat just through a few clicks and linking email accounts. However, a scheduled meeting has time limitations.

The considerable upside turn eventuated by Zoom has helped its gain ramped up meeting participation during the pandemic. Its overcoming obstacles in security concerns has aggravated its user base from 10 million to 350 million. The estimates are a rumored number as the company does not disclose its data about the audience size. The comparison between both the video conferencing tools could not get accomplished.

Challenges Circulating Video Communications

The argument that pops up when we discuss video conferencing tools is how long it can perpetuate the notion of success. Companies often get subdued when it attains prompt revenues and popularity. Zoom has gained momentum in upheaving its network worldwide, and now it is influential for the company not to fall into arduous schemes. The company’s foresight should get directed towards grasping from the mistakes of Microsoft and compelling not to be another Skype.

Coronavirus pandemic has transformed human lives, which encumbered a massive boost for the tech companies. The trends are ever-changing, and as most countries emerge victorious over lockdowns, the back-to-work phenomena are intensively raising its girth. Furthermore, the tech’s industry success or failure is defined by its narrative to adjust in the hard times. There’s no room for error as the slightest of apprehension could lead you way below in numbers than the competitors.

Our everyday lives during isolation had got centered around Zoom platforms, whether it accounted for attending online classes, or having a group chat with our friends. Zoom has incorporated an interconversion behavior across individuals by bridging the communication gap between the world. Still, enormous defiance stands in the midway, which proclaims to expand the time limitations. If Zoom can overcome the hindrances prevailing in the dynamic world, then it will stow its dominance for long.

Tanish Sachdev

Tanish seeks new opportunities as a professional content writer and writes on several fundamental topics like businesses and economics. The focal point remains on expressing opinions on critical aspects concerning the economy.

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