Microsoft Launches 'Team': Microsoft, Slack Preparing For An All Out War, Ultimately Will Users Be The Winners?

Microsoft on Wednesday launched a work chat app to take on its competitor Slack. Microsoft's new software "Teams" will change the face of work communications. Reportedly, Microsoft earlier in the year was planning to buy out Slack for a whopping $8 billion. But according to the advice by Bill Gates, Microsoft invested in Skype to develop it further, as reported by Business Insider.

According to a previous leak, Microsoft called its new product "Skype Teams," but has now settled with just "Teams." The main reason for Microsoft focusing on Slack was its growing popularity and posing challenges in Microsoft dominated segments.

Microsoft's Office software, like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, have been used in more than 85 percent Fortune 500 companies. Slack's software enables workers to share files and chats with one another addressing the deficiencies of Microsoft Product.

Microsoft's "Teams" is a workplace collaboration tool designed to execute same functions achieved by Slack. "Teams" is a digital interface that will replicate the manner in which co-workers communicate in person. It will allow users to share files directly from Office software, enable virtual video meeting, and both one-to-one and group chats. As reported by Time, Aaron Levie, co-founder and CEO of enterprise software firm Box, said,

"They're (Microsoft) going through a massive reinvention as a company and this is a signal of further transformation, where they're recognizing that the way that people work is going to be totally different in the future."

Microsoft, Slack, and similar platforms are all focused on solving the same problems of workplace communication. In the past year, Slack has made more inroads in the segment and Microsoft is definitely late in the game. The biggest benefit that Microsoft has is its 85 million subscribers which are the target market for both Slack and Microsft. In 2017 Microsft will offer a preview of "Team" to all its Subscribers. Slack or other similar platforms cannot match this strategy of Microsft.

Only time will tell whether Microsoft, Slack or similar platforms will win over the vast untapped market. At present, the scales look in favor of Microsoft.