5 Reasons to Choose Microsoft Teams

Change … the only consistent thing in our working lives.

Our working and personal lives are continually awash with new technologies that are going to change the way we live, and to a large extent they do … for example, who doesn’t use WhatsApp nowadays in preference to texting?

The new kid on the block may grab the high ground, but it’s hard to stay in-front, and just like the tale of the Hare and the Tortoise, or as Bob Dylan wrote - the loser now will be later to win, oh the times they are a changin’ … they certainly are!

Microsoft may have started the ball rolling with its original Messenger service (MSN), and after losing ground to newcomers, and metamorphosising through various iterations, its Team platform is now the fastest growing app in the company’s history.

So, what are the main reasons why organisations are choosing to make Teams their preferred collaboration platform?

Everything builds from a conversation
From 121 chats between colleagues and partners, through to groups and team-based conversation boards across the workforce. It’s an unmatched user interface enabling easy workplace communication and simple digital distribution of documents, without countless emails flying around. Teams integration with email allows messages to be copied to a Teams conversation, and the app integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft suite, allowing easy document sharing and updating via the version control functionality.

Full Voice over IP (VoIP) Telephony
The move to VoIP couldn’t be simpler. It’s an obvious step to use a globally renowned and supported platform for telephony, and it also simplifies the number of suppliers and support contracts needed. Microsoft 365 Business Voice can completely replace existing and legacy phone systems – including full multi-channel contact centre functionality.

Audio conferencing
Web based Teams calls are the norm, but the audio-conferencing function means anyone can join by phone too. With in-country dial-in numbers in the invite - users on the go and without internet can join. It’s a feature that’s unavailable in many collaboration platforms.

Online video calls, meetings, and screen sharing
Video calls to employees within your business and clients outside is a standard feature of collaboration platforms today. Simple and fast desktop sharing amongst group enables multi-user real-time collaboration. Training sessions and company-wide meetings can host and extend to 10,000 users including controlled access to people outside the organisation as required. There’s a scheduling aid, a note-taking app, file upload functionality, and in-meeting chat messaging.

Document storage in SharePoint
Microsoft Teams groups have an online SharePoint site which will contain a default document library folder. Any files shared across conversations will automatically save to this folder and customisable permissions and security options can be applied to confidential and sensitive information.

The uncomplicated simplicity of setting up collaborative teams with access to shared documentation and services is a major benefit and selling point, and being able to securely collaborate with external partners via a controlled and safe environment has increased relevance as third-party working groups becomes more established.