The Howdy Glossary

Zoom, founded in 2011 by Eric Yuan, is a cloud-based video conferencing service offering tools such as HD video and audio meetings, webinars, screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and chat messaging during calls. Its popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as an essential platform for remote work and virtual events. Zoom integrates seamlessly with scheduling tools like Google Calendar and Outlook to streamline meeting planning.

Distinct features of Zoom include high-quality video and audio capabilities, large-scale webinar support, interactive screen sharing options, customizable virtual backgrounds, and instant chat messaging during calls. These elements make it a versatile platform for remote work and online collaboration. Competitors like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco Webex, and Skype offer similar functionalities but differ in interface design, integration with other productivity tools (such as Office 365 or G Suite), security features, scalability options for large organizations (as seen with Cisco Webex), or a focus on personal communication (like Skype).

Zoom’s strengths lie in its user-friendly interface that accommodates various meeting sizes from individual calls to large webinars. Its reliability and ease of use have led to widespread adoption across diverse sectors including business meetings, educational lectures, virtual events for individuals or organizations of all sizes. The integration with popular scheduling tools further enhances its appeal by simplifying the organization of meetings. This combination positions Zoom as a leading player in the competitive landscape of video conferencing platforms catering to varied user needs from professional collaboration to personal communication.