Microsoft Dodges $8B Bullet, Goes DIY With Skype-Based Technology

Microsoft is currently trying to gain an edge over other tech companies when it comes to the communication sector, which it already has a significant slice of, thanks to the popular chat and call service, Skype. Looking to expand its influence, even further, the software giant actually considered buying the explosive newcomer called “Slack” for $8 billion. Rather than go ahead with the purchase, however, Microsoft decided that it can do a better job than an expensive acquisition.

“Slack” is a messaging service that came onstage in 2013, Digital Trend reports. Since then, it has exploded in popularity for those who like doing conference calls, which is what the service is made for. This caught the attention of Microsoft who was getting ready to shell out some serious cash in order to acquire it but decided that they might be better off developing Skype to offer the same type of service.

According to a leak about this new service by Microsoft, it’s apparently called “Skype Teams,” which should provide some idea as to what it’s meant to do. By building a dedicated team communication service right into their existing product, the tech giant just saved themselves billions while still achieving the same goals.

On that note, one of the weaknesses of “Slack” is the matter of threaded conversations, and this is something that Microsoft is reportedly taking advantage of by providing the feature in their “Skype Teams” offering. With Skype being a significantly more well-known service that also boasts high security, it stands to have a bigger appeal among prospective users.

If it succeeds, Microsoft would be one step closer to achieving its long-sought goals of carving a bigger piece of the private and corporate messaging industry. The company already has several messaging services that provide similar features, PC World reports, but “Skype Teams” is a more concentrated effort to establish the service as a preferred option for private and group conversations.