We’ve talked about the first to market advantage before, and it certainly applies when it comes to the cloud infrastructure market. While Microsoft made headlines this week for its AI implementation, and Alphabet took a big stock hit for its slight cloud miss, Amazon growth has quietly settled into low double digits growth. And it […]

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Microsoft today announced the launch of Radius, a new open-source, language-agnostic application platform for building and running cloud-native applications. The project is being spun out of the Microsoft Azure Incubation team, the same group that previously launched open-source projects like Dapr for building microservices, the KEDA event-driven autoscaling solution, and Copacetic, a security tool for […]

© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Microsoft today announced the launch of Radius, a new open-source, language-agnostic application platform for building and running cloud-native applications. The project is being spun out of the Microsoft Azure Incubation team, the same group that previously launched open-source projects like Dapr for building microservices, the KEDA event-driven autoscaling solution, and Copacetic, a security tool for […]

© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

With so many online communication tools available, choosing the right one for your business can be daunting. But two platforms stand out in terms of functionality and ease of use: Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. So, which platform is right for you?

Call features

Microsoft Teams’ paid version supports up to 300 participants per meeting, while Google Meet’s paid version supports up to 250 participants. The paid versions of both platforms offer unlimited meeting duration, but Microsoft Teams also offers a 60-minute limit on group meetings in its free version.

Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer meeting recording and transcription features, but there are some differences in how these features are implemented. Microsoft Teams offers both local and cloud recording, while Google Meet only offers cloud recording. Additionally, Microsoft Teams offers automatic transcription for all recordings, while Google Meet requires users to enable transcription manually.

Integrations

Microsoft Teams integrates with a wide range of third-party apps. This is because Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite of products, which includes an extensive array of business applications. Some of the most popular Microsoft Teams third-party integrations include Salesforce, Trello, Asana, Zendesk, QuickBooks, and more.

Google Meet also integrates with a variety of third-party apps, but the number of integrations is smaller compared to Microsoft Teams. Some of the most popular Google Meet third-party integrations are Salesforce, HubSpot, Trello, Asana, Zendesk, and QuickBooks, among many others.

If you need to integrate with a wide range of third-party apps and services, Microsoft Teams is the better option. However, if you only need to integrate with a few specific apps and services, Google Meet may be good enough for your business.

You should also consider how important it is to you to integrate with your existing business applications. If you are already using other Microsoft 365 products, Microsoft Teams is the better option. However, if you are already using other Google Workspace products, you might want to go with Google Meet.

Finally, you should consider how easy it is to set up and use the integrations. Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer easy-to-use integration tools. However, it is always a good idea to test out the integrations before you commit to a platform.

What’s best for your business?

Now that you understand the key differences between Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, you can choose the platform that best suits your business needs. Google Meet is a good choice for small businesses that need a low-cost video conferencing solution. Microsoft Teams is a more robust platform that is suitable for businesses of all sizes.

If you are still undecided about which video conferencing or VoIP solution is right for your organization, you can reach out to our team of experts for assistance. Contact us today.

Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are two of the most popular video conferencing platforms available today, and for good reason. Both platforms offer a robust set of features that make it easy and convenient to stay connected with clients and colleagues. But with so many similarities between the two tools, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your business. Here is a comparison of the key features of Microsoft Teams and Google Meet to help you decide.

Call features

Microsoft Teams’ paid version supports up to 300 participants per meeting, while Google Meet’s paid version supports up to 250 participants. The paid versions of both platforms offer unlimited meeting duration, but Microsoft Teams also offers a 60-minute limit on group meetings in its free version.

Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer meeting recording and transcription features, but there are some differences in how these features are implemented. Microsoft Teams offers both local and cloud recording, while Google Meet only offers cloud recording. Additionally, Microsoft Teams offers automatic transcription for all recordings, while Google Meet requires users to enable transcription manually.

Integrations

Microsoft Teams integrates with a wide range of third-party apps. This is because Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite of products, which includes an extensive array of business applications. Some of the most popular Microsoft Teams third-party integrations include Salesforce, Trello, Asana, Zendesk, QuickBooks, and more.

Google Meet also integrates with a variety of third-party apps, but the number of integrations is smaller compared to Microsoft Teams. Some of the most popular Google Meet third-party integrations are Salesforce, HubSpot, Trello, Asana, Zendesk, and QuickBooks, among many others.

If you need to integrate with a wide range of third-party apps and services, Microsoft Teams is the better option. However, if you only need to integrate with a few specific apps and services, Google Meet may be good enough for your business.

You should also consider how important it is to you to integrate with your existing business applications. If you are already using other Microsoft 365 products, Microsoft Teams is the better option. However, if you are already using other Google Workspace products, you might want to go with Google Meet.

Finally, you should consider how easy it is to set up and use the integrations. Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer easy-to-use integration tools. However, it is always a good idea to test out the integrations before you commit to a platform.

What’s best for your business?

Now that you understand the key differences between Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, you can choose the platform that best suits your business needs. Google Meet is a good choice for small businesses that need a low-cost video conferencing solution. Microsoft Teams is a more robust platform that is suitable for businesses of all sizes.

If you are still undecided about which video conferencing or VoIP solution is right for your organization, you can reach out to our team of experts for assistance. Contact us today.

Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are two of the most popular video conferencing platforms available today. Both platforms offer a robust set of features that can help teams communicate more effectively, regardless of location. But which platform is right for your business? Here is a comparison of the key features of Microsoft Teams and Google Meet to help you decide.

Call features

Microsoft Teams’ paid version supports up to 300 participants per meeting, while Google Meet’s paid version supports up to 250 participants. The paid versions of both platforms offer unlimited meeting duration, but Microsoft Teams also offers a 60-minute limit on group meetings in its free version.

Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer meeting recording and transcription features, but there are some differences in how these features are implemented. Microsoft Teams offers both local and cloud recording, while Google Meet only offers cloud recording. Additionally, Microsoft Teams offers automatic transcription for all recordings, while Google Meet requires users to enable transcription manually.

Integrations

Microsoft Teams integrates with a wide range of third-party apps. This is because Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite of products, which includes an extensive array of business applications. Some of the most popular Microsoft Teams third-party integrations include Salesforce, Trello, Asana, Zendesk, QuickBooks, and more.

Google Meet also integrates with a variety of third-party apps, but the number of integrations is smaller compared to Microsoft Teams. Some of the most popular Google Meet third-party integrations are Salesforce, HubSpot, Trello, Asana, Zendesk, and QuickBooks, among many others.

If you need to integrate with a wide range of third-party apps and services, Microsoft Teams is the better option. However, if you only need to integrate with a few specific apps and services, Google Meet may be good enough for your business.

You should also consider how important it is to you to integrate with your existing business applications. If you are already using other Microsoft 365 products, Microsoft Teams is the better option. However, if you are already using other Google Workspace products, you might want to go with Google Meet.

Finally, you should consider how easy it is to set up and use the integrations. Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer easy-to-use integration tools. However, it is always a good idea to test out the integrations before you commit to a platform.

What’s best for your business?

Now that you understand the key differences between Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, you can choose the platform that best suits your business needs. Google Meet is a good choice for small businesses that need a low-cost video conferencing solution. Microsoft Teams is a more robust platform that is suitable for businesses of all sizes.

If you are still undecided about which video conferencing or VoIP solution is right for your organization, you can reach out to our team of experts for assistance. Contact us today.

Microsoft Excel is used extensively by individuals and businesses across the globe. However, a considerable portion of users don’t know how to fully utilize it. If you’re facing difficulties with Excel, this article offers useful tips to enhance your proficiency with spreadsheets.

COUNT, COUNTA

The COUNT function allows you to determine the number of cells in a spreadsheet that hold numerical values. For instance, to determine the number of cells in column B, rows 1 to 50 that contain numerical values, you can simply select an empty cell and input the formula =COUNT(B1:B50). In this example, Excel checks column B, rows 1 to 50, for any numerical values. If 25 cells contain numbers, Excel will display a value of 25. Note that the COUNT function only considers numbers and disregards text. If you apply COUNT in a column primarily filled with text, it will yield a value of zero.

On the other hand, the COUNTA function works similarly to COUNT, but it focuses on cells containing text. Therefore, if you wish to count the cells in a column that contains text, simply enter this formula into an empty cell: =COUNTA(P1:P25). If there are five cells with text within that range, Excel will generate a result of 5.

SUM, AutoSUM

The SUM function is a powerful tool that lets you add various elements like individual ranges, cell references, or specific values. Follow these steps to use the SUM functions:

1. Choose a cell next to the values you intend to add up.
2. Enter =SUM(.
3. Highlight the cells or ranges you wish to include in the sum.
4. Type ) and hit Enter.

Alternatively, to add numbers in a row or column, you can use the AutoSum button found on the Home tab. Simply click the AutoSum button, select the desired cells, and then press Enter.

Filter

The filter function is used for filtering and sorting data. It allows you to quickly and easily display only the rows of data that meet your specified criteria.

This function can be used to filter data based on a variety of criteria, such as text values, numbers, dates, logical values, and cell colors. You can also use the filter function to filter data based on multiple criteria. For example, you could filter data to show only rows where the value in a certain column is greater than 10 and the value in another column is less than 20.

Here’s how to filter in Excel:

1. Select the data set you wish to apply filters to, ensuring that it includes the column headers.
2. Navigate to the Excel ribbon, then click on Data > Filter. This action will display a dropdown menu on the headers of the chosen columns.
3. Use the dropdown menu to filter the data based on your specified text or numerical conditions.

Pivot tables

Pivot tables are useful in summarizing, analyzing, and exploring data. They allow you to quickly and easily create reports that show patterns, trends, and comparisons in your data.

Pivot tables work by rearranging and aggregating data from a source table into a new table. You can drag and drop fields from the source table to different areas of the pivot table to create different views of your data. For example, you could create a pivot table that shows the total sales by product category for each region, or a pivot table that shows the average customer order value by month.

Below are the steps to create a pivot table:

1. Choose the data on the spreadsheet that you wish to include in the table.
2. On the Excel ribbon, click on Insert > Tables > Pivot table.
3. A Create PivotTable dialog box will be created, displaying the selected data range. You can adjust this range manually according to your preferences. Additionally, you can choose to create the pivot table in a new or an existing worksheet.
4. Once you’ve made any necessary adjustments, click OK.
5. After clicking OK, an empty table and a PivotTable Fields dialog box will appear. Within this dialog box, you can specify which fields from the previously selected data range should be visible in the table.

For further insights into creating a pivot table, feel free to watch this brief instructional video.

There are many other ways to enhance your Microsoft Excel skills. Reach out to our experts today for more insights.

As a widely used office software, Microsoft Excel is a crucial tool for businesses worldwide. However, not many users are maximizing its capabilities. If you find Excel challenging to use, this guide provides practical tips to help elevate your spreadsheet skills.

COUNT, COUNTA

The COUNT function allows you to determine the number of cells in a spreadsheet that hold numerical values. For instance, to determine the number of cells in column B, rows 1 to 50 that contain numerical values, you can simply select an empty cell and input the formula =COUNT(B1:B50). In this example, Excel checks column B, rows 1 to 50, for any numerical values. If 25 cells contain numbers, Excel will display a value of 25. Note that the COUNT function only considers numbers and disregards text. If you apply COUNT in a column primarily filled with text, it will yield a value of zero.

On the other hand, the COUNTA function works similarly to COUNT, but it focuses on cells containing text. Therefore, if you wish to count the cells in a column that contains text, simply enter this formula into an empty cell: =COUNTA(P1:P25). If there are five cells with text within that range, Excel will generate a result of 5.

SUM, AutoSUM

The SUM function is a powerful tool that lets you add various elements like individual ranges, cell references, or specific values. Follow these steps to use the SUM functions:

1. Choose a cell next to the values you intend to add up.
2. Enter =SUM(.
3. Highlight the cells or ranges you wish to include in the sum.
4. Type ) and hit Enter.

Alternatively, to add numbers in a row or column, you can use the AutoSum button found on the Home tab. Simply click the AutoSum button, select the desired cells, and then press Enter.

Filter

The filter function is used for filtering and sorting data. It allows you to quickly and easily display only the rows of data that meet your specified criteria.

This function can be used to filter data based on a variety of criteria, such as text values, numbers, dates, logical values, and cell colors. You can also use the filter function to filter data based on multiple criteria. For example, you could filter data to show only rows where the value in a certain column is greater than 10 and the value in another column is less than 20.

Here’s how to filter in Excel:

1. Select the data set you wish to apply filters to, ensuring that it includes the column headers.
2. Navigate to the Excel ribbon, then click on Data > Filter. This action will display a dropdown menu on the headers of the chosen columns.
3. Use the dropdown menu to filter the data based on your specified text or numerical conditions.

Pivot tables

Pivot tables are useful in summarizing, analyzing, and exploring data. They allow you to quickly and easily create reports that show patterns, trends, and comparisons in your data.

Pivot tables work by rearranging and aggregating data from a source table into a new table. You can drag and drop fields from the source table to different areas of the pivot table to create different views of your data. For example, you could create a pivot table that shows the total sales by product category for each region, or a pivot table that shows the average customer order value by month.

Below are the steps to create a pivot table:

1. Choose the data on the spreadsheet that you wish to include in the table.
2. On the Excel ribbon, click on Insert > Tables > Pivot table.
3. A Create PivotTable dialog box will be created, displaying the selected data range. You can adjust this range manually according to your preferences. Additionally, you can choose to create the pivot table in a new or an existing worksheet.
4. Once you’ve made any necessary adjustments, click OK.
5. After clicking OK, an empty table and a PivotTable Fields dialog box will appear. Within this dialog box, you can specify which fields from the previously selected data range should be visible in the table.

For further insights into creating a pivot table, feel free to watch this brief instructional video.

There are many other ways to enhance your Microsoft Excel skills. Reach out to our experts today for more insights.

Excel, a widely used office tool, holds immense potential that often remains untapped by many users. If you’re struggling with Excel, this guide provides valuable tips to enhance your proficiency with it.

COUNT, COUNTA

The COUNT function allows you to determine the number of cells in a spreadsheet that hold numerical values. For instance, to determine the number of cells in column B, rows 1 to 50 that contain numerical values, you can simply select an empty cell and input the formula =COUNT(B1:B50). In this example, Excel checks column B, rows 1 to 50, for any numerical values. If 25 cells contain numbers, Excel will display a value of 25. Note that the COUNT function only considers numbers and disregards text. If you apply COUNT in a column primarily filled with text, it will yield a value of zero.

On the other hand, the COUNTA function works similarly to COUNT, but it focuses on cells containing text. Therefore, if you wish to count the cells in a column that contains text, simply enter this formula into an empty cell: =COUNTA(P1:P25). If there are five cells with text within that range, Excel will generate a result of 5.

SUM, AutoSUM

The SUM function is a powerful tool that lets you add various elements like individual ranges, cell references, or specific values. Follow these steps to use the SUM functions:

1. Choose a cell next to the values you intend to add up.
2. Enter =SUM(.
3. Highlight the cells or ranges you wish to include in the sum.
4. Type ) and hit Enter.

Alternatively, to add numbers in a row or column, you can use the AutoSum button found on the Home tab. Simply click the AutoSum button, select the desired cells, and then press Enter.

Filter

The filter function is used for filtering and sorting data. It allows you to quickly and easily display only the rows of data that meet your specified criteria.

This function can be used to filter data based on a variety of criteria, such as text values, numbers, dates, logical values, and cell colors. You can also use the filter function to filter data based on multiple criteria. For example, you could filter data to show only rows where the value in a certain column is greater than 10 and the value in another column is less than 20.

Here’s how to filter in Excel:

1. Select the data set you wish to apply filters to, ensuring that it includes the column headers.
2. Navigate to the Excel ribbon, then click on Data > Filter. This action will display a dropdown menu on the headers of the chosen columns.
3. Use the dropdown menu to filter the data based on your specified text or numerical conditions.

Pivot tables

Pivot tables are useful in summarizing, analyzing, and exploring data. They allow you to quickly and easily create reports that show patterns, trends, and comparisons in your data.

Pivot tables work by rearranging and aggregating data from a source table into a new table. You can drag and drop fields from the source table to different areas of the pivot table to create different views of your data. For example, you could create a pivot table that shows the total sales by product category for each region, or a pivot table that shows the average customer order value by month.

Below are the steps to create a pivot table:

1. Choose the data on the spreadsheet that you wish to include in the table.
2. On the Excel ribbon, click on Insert > Tables > Pivot table.
3. A Create PivotTable dialog box will be created, displaying the selected data range. You can adjust this range manually according to your preferences. Additionally, you can choose to create the pivot table in a new or an existing worksheet.
4. Once you’ve made any necessary adjustments, click OK.
5. After clicking OK, an empty table and a PivotTable Fields dialog box will appear. Within this dialog box, you can specify which fields from the previously selected data range should be visible in the table.

For further insights into creating a pivot table, feel free to watch this brief instructional video.

There are many other ways to enhance your Microsoft Excel skills. Reach out to our experts today for more insights.

Along with AI advances in Windows 11 and Bing, Microsoft also this week announced it’s bringing new AI-powered features to its SwiftKey mobile keyboard app for iOS and Android. This third-party app lets users replace the default keyboard on their phone with an intelligent keyboard that learns your writing style so you can type faster. […]

Microsoft’s Bing is gaining a number of AI improvements, including support for OpenAI’s new DALLE-E 3 model, more personalized answers in search and chat, and tools that will watermark images as being AI-generated. The company announced these and other Windows and Bing news at an event this week in New York, where it also introduced […]

Microsoft today announced the public preview of Python in Excel, which will allow advanced spreadsheet users to combine scripts in the popular Python language and their usual Excel formulas in the same workbook.

This feature will first roll out to Microsoft 365 Insiders as part of the Excel for Windows beta channel. Yet while the feature will first only be available in the desktop version of Excel, Microsoft notes that the Python calculations will run in the Microsoft Cloud. Python runs perfectly well on any modern PC, so I’m not sure why Microsoft went the cloud route here.

“Now you can do advanced data analysis in the familiar Excel environment by accessing Python directly from the Excel ribbon,” Stefan Kinnestrand, the GM for Modern Work at Microsoft, explains. “No set up or installation is required. Using Excel’s built-in connectors and Power Query, you can easily bring external data into Python in Excel workflows.”

Microsoft partnered with data science platform Anaconda to bring this feature to life. The company is using the Anaconda Python distribution — running in Azure — to bring the most popular Python libraries to Excel, including the likes of Matplotlib and seaborn for data visualization.

To try this out, you’ll have to join the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and opt for the beta channel to get the latest Excel builds. From there, it’s just a question of selecting “insert Python” in the Formulas ribbon to get started.

It’s worth noting that there have long been libraries that allowed Python users to work with Excel files, as well as (paid) Excel add-ons like PyXLL that bring Python’s functionality to Microsoft’s spreadsheets, too.