An image showing the 'New Teams' Toggle on a purple gradient background. The teams logo in the left corner.
By | Published On: 22 February 2024 |

Introduction

As we usher in the new year, although be it already February… It’s a moment for both reflection and anticipation, particularly in the technology sphere.

At Changing Social, Microsoft Teams is more than a mere tool, it’s fundamental to our daily operations and collaboration.

This year, Teams is poised to redefine our workspaces anew. Come and explore the latest enhancements and features set to elevate our collaborative experiences. The contents of this articles includes everything about: chat and collaboration, mobile integration and app collaborations.

 

Chat and Collaboration Streamlining Communication

Enhanced Chat Forwarding

At first glance, the ability to forward chat messages may seem modest, but its impact on efficiency is profound.

Share a message with another colleague by right clicking the message and selecting “forward” or by clicking the “…” on the message and then “forward”.

A screen grab of teams showing you how you can forward messages on there.

Microsoft Teams

This feature in Teams streamlines the sharing of information, enabling swift and effortless communication with minimal clicks. Mirroring the familiar action of forwarding emails in Outlook, it ensures a seamless transition for users, enriching the context and understanding with every forwarded message.

 

Meetings A New Dimension of Meetings with Microsoft Mesh

The advent of Microsoft Mesh in Teams is nothing short of revolutionary.

This integration unveils a 3D immersive space, transforming the way we connect, brainstorm, and engage in hybrid or remote environments. With Mesh, Teams transcends traditional limits, offering a co-presence that closely mimics physical interaction.

This innovation enriches our favourite Teams functionalities. It is supported by spatial audio and immersive visual cues, ensuring a deeply engaging and distraction-free meeting environment. Available with core Teams licences, and expandable through Teams Premium for larger, custom events, Mesh redefines virtual collaboration.

A group of Avatars in a mesh reality.

Decorating your background with Generative Background Effects

Imagine customising your virtual meeting space with a touch of personal flair. Teams makes this possible.

The new ‘Decorate your background’ feature, accessible to Teams Premium users, allows for the personalisation of your virtual environment, from decluttering to adding personal touches like plants by pressing the ‘clean up’.

This feature not only adds fun to meetings but also fosters a sense of individuality and creativity in a digital realm. We would like this button in real life, would you?

Teams for Mobile

 

Staff Assignment and Duration Control

The Virtual Appointments feature now offers enhanced control, allowing for the assignment of specific staff members and the setting of appointment durations for on-demand services within Teams.

This refinement ensures seamless and efficient management of virtual engagements, complemented by notifications for designated staff members. Furthermore, the introduction of SMS notifications enhances the appointment experience for attendees by providing timely updates and direct join links for mobile access.

This feature is invaluable for users in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, requiring a Teams Premium licence.

 

Mobile Experience Innovations in Mobile Accessibility

Teams’ mobile interface now boasts an improved user experience during calls. Consequently, this ensures that essential features are readily accessible, regardless of your device choice.

Additionally, the introduction of the live meeting status feature further enhances connectivity on the move. Similarly, it offers real-time updates on meeting engagement directly from your mobile device, thereby providing a seamless and integrated experience for users.

Collaborative Apps within Teams

 

The Integration of 1Page and Alvao

The integration of applications like 1Page and Alvao within Teams underscores Microsoft’s dedication to holistic productivity.

1Page offers a suite of tools for sales professionals, whilst Alvao streamlines routine processes, enhancing focus and efficiency. These additions exemplify the platform’s evolution into a comprehensive workspace solution.

 

Cultivating Wellbeing with Calm

The inclusion of Calm into Teams introduces wellness into the workspace, offering over 3,000 sessions on meditation, sleep, and relaxation.

This integration fosters a culture of mindfulness and resilience, essential in today’s fast-paced work environments. We all need some ‘Clam’ after a long day or week. It encourages users to take time for themselves and enables them to do it in a different way.

Calm on Teams

Conclusion

The 2024 updates to Microsoft Teams bear testament to the continuously evergreen landscape of collaborative technology.

At Changing Social, we eagerly anticipate embracing these innovations, confident in their potential to boost our productivity, creativity, and wellbeing.

These enhancements reflect our commitment not just to keeping pace with technological advancements, ensuring them to redefine our collaborative experiences.

As we navigate these new features, our focus remains on empowering our team and clients alike, ensuring that, together, we are always moving forward.

Elevate your organisation’s collaboration and productivity with Microsoft Teams’ latest features. Discover how these innovations can transform your workflow and team dynamics. Let’s explore the possibilities together! Click the green ‘Contact’ button on the right to schedule a conversation with us.

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