Amazon Chime Challenges Skype for Business

Amazon Web Services just got a fancy new ability: unified communications. Amazon Chime is a service designed to compete with Skype for Business, WebEx and GoToMeeting. The new video and teleconferencing system is available via Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android.

Chime features a visual list of meeting participants that shows who's ambient noise might be distracting the meeting. Any user can mute any other participant, assuming there isn't a "moderator." You can unmute yourself though. Also, you don't need the app to log in; you can use a regular phone to call into a meeting. In Chime, all communications are encrypted and the chat history isn't stored anywhere.

The service adds to the AWS portfolio of programs that includes WorkDocs office suite and WorkMail email. It will be available in three pricing tiers. Basic includes one-on-one voice and video calls and group chat. Plus costs $2.50 per user per month and adds screen sharing and integration with identity management systems. Pro costs $15 per user per month and adds hosting meetings for up to 100 users and integration with Active Directory. Amazon offers a free trial for 30 days.

Amazon Chime can integrate with existing in-room conference systems made by Polycom and Creston. Amazon is also working with Level 3 Communications and Vonage for integration later this year.

Source: Techgig