What is Microsoft Teams Used For?
Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace that is taking the world by storm. It’s the fastest growing app in Microsoft’s history. According to Statistica, the platform had reached 32 million daily users on 12 March 2020. A week later on 19 March, it rose to a whopping 44 million as businesses launched new remote working practices in response to the Coronavirus lockdown. And the frenzy hasn’t stopped. April saw an incredible jump in daily users to 75 million.
So, how is a simple chat app revolutionising the way companies communicate? Here’s a quick look at some of Teams key features and how they can transform the way you work.
Do more in one place
Sharing files is a doddle with Teams. Attach it in the chat and then launch a video call with your colleague to discuss the content. If it’s an Office document, you can edit it collaboratively in realtime directly within the app.
Cut down on emails
Let’s be honest, emails are pretty inefficient. Long threads get confusing, files get lost, and office-wide chains fail when you forget to hit “Reply All”. Teams kicks all of that into touch. Chats are structured, threaded and allow natural Messenger-style conversations. And if you need to share a one-off file, just drop it in the chatbox. Job done.
Go even more remote with the mobile apps
The Teams mobile app allows you to do EVERYTHING that the desktop app does! In the words of Microsoft, you can:
“Invite everyone you work with to chat, meet, call, and collaborate all in one place, no matter where you are.”
Whether you’re self-isolating from the latest super-virus or sunning yourself in Bali, Teams makes remote collaboration easy.
@ mentions
This is definitely something that the younger crowd do instinctively. For the rest of us oldies, it’s a handy trick to know. When you need to get someone’s attention, just @ them. Type @<name> (e.g., @joebloggs) to tag the person in the post and send them a personal notification.
Blur Background and Custom Background
Remember the BBC interview with Professor Robert Kelly that went viral? In case you’ve forgotten it, his adorable daughter walked into the room and started gleefully dancing behind him. Seconds later, his baby scooted in on a high chair, followed by his panicked wife who rushed in to stop the chaos. It was a beautiful moment that would have escaped our attention if the professor had been using Teams.
Teams video allows you to blur the background to hide mess and mayhem. Microsoft has recently taken this function to a new level with its custom backgrounds feature. Forget tidying your home office or stopping your children from dancing – you can now mask any distraction with a stock background image instead.
Microsoft Teams is used for so much more than chatting with your colleagues when you’re working from home. It’s helping business to not just survive but thrive in a world where remote working is the new normal.
Want to know more?
Drop us a line on 0117 325 0370 or email info@geeks.co.uk to find out how we can help your business to run like clockwork with Microsoft 365 and Teams.
