Why Microsoft decided to take on Slack

Microsoft now has a direct Slack competitor, Microsoft Teams. The new app will let teams in workplaces collaborate in real time, and it boasts both fun, familiar features (GIFs!) as well as differentiators like integration with Microsoft Office software.

The thing is, Microsoft already has plenty of apps. Creating Teams (which is now in preview and will formally launch in early 2017) has the potential to add a layer of complexity that might confuse customers and even dilute the purpose of other Microsoft software. And many business that already use Slack may be skeptical of the benefits of switching to Teams. Read more...