Three Ways to maximize the value of Microsoft Teams-Easily and securely collaborate with an engaged Team!

When Satya Nadella was first introduced as Microsoft CEO in 2014 he said this: “We are building an operating system for human activity across all of their daily lives, across all of their devices. That is what the future of Office represents for us.” (Full speech, and it’s a whopper of a speech, here: https://news.microsoft.com/speeches/satya-nadella-wpc-2014-keynote/ )

These ideas to transform collaboration and reinvent productivity has given rise to Microsoft Teams, www.teams.microsoft.com, a new chat-based workspace built to work from the ground up to work seamlessly within Office 365 on your choice of device. Teams is more than just one app in the Office 365 waffle, it can be a game changer when used best. But how can you maximize its value to your employees?

Here are three ways:

Integration of Skype and chat simplifies face to face meetings

· Each team’s conversation history is stored in the ‘conversations tab’ – both for individuals (as a private chat function) and for the entire team. However, sometimes written communications and chat history can only go so far. In the past you might schedule a meeting but that was tough when you had teammates in disparate geographies.

Teams simplifies the need for some face-to-face meetings with the integration of Skype for Business into their chat function. Schedule ad hoc audio or video meetings with the stroke of a key. Need to invite others into the conversation? There’s a button for that too!

Safe and secure file sharing to eliminate email cycle of documents

· Teams incorporates One Drive and SharePoint seamlessly to provide easier access your documents so you can easily share them with your teams. Teams also leverages Microsoft Graph and Delve to keep your most relevant documents at your fingertips. Under the ‘Files’ tab along the left hand side you can find all your documents plus those shared by your teammates.

· Worried about security? Teams leverages the advanced security and compliance available through Office 365. Data is encrypted at all times and Microsoft has stated that Teams is Office 365 Tier C Compliant. This means its security features are SOC I and 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA and EU Model Clauses compliant. Don’t be worried about security with Teams.

Roadmap to external guest access on your Team

· By almost a 2 to 1 margin to its next suggestion, (https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public-preview ), the most suggested idea on how to improve Teams is external guest access. Imagine the ability to tag clients, partners, vendors, etc. in a conversation for an upcoming project. How would the ability to collaborate securely with those outside of your organization would boost your productivity?

These are just a few of the ways to maximize value of Teams within Office 365. What are some of your favorite tricks? I’d love to hear them all!