CIT supports two web conferencing platforms: Zoom and Skype for Business for Windows and Skype for Business for Mac. These products have similar, overlapping capabilities. Zoom is better suited for scheduled events and training sessions. Skype is very strong for ad-hoc or on-the-fly communications. See our Web Conferencing Comparison Chart, which lists the features and best uses for each product.

Zoom

Zoom is a full-featured online web and video conferencing service. It offers online meetings and webinars. Zoom features include polling, breakout rooms, and a wide variety of audio options, including unlimited toll calling and toll-free dialing options. Zoom meetings include the ability to share files and collaborate via a whiteboard.

Zoom is available to faculty, staff, affiliates, and students.

How to Use Zoom

Skype for Business for Windows, Mac and Mobile

Microsoft Skype for Business/Mac is a unified communications tool for Cornell faculty, staff, and students. It provides

• instant messaging
• presence (a combination of your availability and willingness to communicate; helps users approach their colleagues at the right time and through the right form of communication)
• voice calls (voice over IP)
• video calls
• online meetings
• presenting files (for example, Powerpoint)
• whiteboard collaboration
• sharing view of your screen, with optional sharing of control over mouse and keyboard.

How to Use Skype for Business (Windows)

How to use Skype for Business (Mac)