“I didn’t know it could do that!”

Discovering a new feature on your phone is thrilling. Maybe you didn’t know you had portrait mode on your camera. Or you just now found the flashlight. Whatever the case may be, finding a new tool at your disposal that makes your life better is exciting.

When the pandemic hit and companies started to shift to remote work to stay afloat, managers had to find new tools to stay connected and be productive. One of the platforms that suddenly became a household name was Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Teams is not just a chat app. It serves a variety of business needs because of its user-friendliness and integration capabilities. In this article, you’ll learn what Microsoft Teams can do, why the platform may be useful for your company, and how to deploy it to the masses.

What Is Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a unified communication and collaboration platform that combines workplace chat, video meetings, file storage, and application integration. Features include document collaboration, one-on-one chat, team chat, and more.

Microsoft built the platform with the same security, compliance, and manageability as the rest of Microsoft 365 (previously known as Office 365). Microsoft Teams is replacing Skype for Business, which will be end-of-life in 2021.  It is fully integrated with apps across Microsoft 365 and can connect with external tools.

Microsoft Teams is cloud-based, so it takes some of the stress off of VPN connections. It’s used to enhance teamwork through enriched collaboration and communication. Best news? Office 365 includes Microsoft Teams for free.

Is Microsoft Teams Right for My Business?

Some people think Microsoft Teams is just a chat app, but there’s much more to this platform. It can be used for online meetings, screen-sharing, audio conferencing, document sharing, and, yes, chatting with a group or a co-worker.

Everything you need for a meeting can be stored in one place with Microsoft Teams. Whether you need to see the agenda, action items, files, or notes, all of this information can be kept in a central location —along with the recording of the meeting after it’s finished.

Microsoft Teams keeps you connected no matter where you are located. The mobile app allows convenient access to resources like documents and calendars. Users can also use their phones to get notifications, respond to chats and emails, join meetings, and continue collaboration on-the-go.

How Can I Roll Out Microsoft Teams Quickly?

Here’s a look at the rollout process.

You should start by making sure everyone has access to Microsoft Teams. Each employee should download the software on their work computer and get the mobile app installed on their work phone.

To help keep your data protected, you can control which third-party apps integrate with Microsoft Teams. Within the admin center, you’ll be able to allow or block all third-party apps or select to do it individually.

Next, it’s time to create your first Microsoft Teams and channels. A team is a group of people working toward a common goal. A channel is a space within the team where the work gets done. Once you’ve established these parameters, start on-boarding some early adopters. This should be a small group of people you invite to join Microsoft Teams to begin getting used to the platform.

After some of your employees start working with Microsoft Teams, it’s important to monitor their usage. In the beginning, it’s best to review reports twice a week to look for opportunities to improve the end-user experience.

Finally, you can plan your organization-wide rollout. At this point, data and feedback from your pilot group have given you the capability to resolve any issues you might encounter with a larger launch.

Why Should I Use Microsoft Teams?

The COVID-19 outbreak has increased the need for employees to be able to collaborate remotely, and it’s not likely that this demand for flexibility is going to go away anytime soon.

Microsoft Teams improves collaboration and communication while bringing simplicity to teamwork. It’s more than just chat. The platform is designed to enhance the features of a virtual workspace and streamline the processes of productivity.

Need help setting up Microsoft Teams? WorkSmart can help. Contact us now!