Table of Contents
As we navigate the post-COVID era, we’ve learned much about our working lives, particularly our capacity to work remotely. Many professions have been able to move into a hybrid or remote model, from journalism to teaching to administration. As such, it’s important to have remote technology on hand, whether you’re in the aforementioned professions or otherwise.
Whether or not we’re better off as a result of this recent change is another question, but Microsoft Teams has been huge in allowing us to navigate these times. Old-fashioned telephony is very much on the way out, making way for the new and exciting. But what great features are available with Microsoft Teams?
1. Reduction in Emails
Anything that leaves our inbox relatively spotless can only be a good thing, with Teams offering instant messaging and video calls. Queries and issues can be resolved at the drop of a hat rather than after the weekend. You can even send an email to your team channel with Teams for Email if you need to send something more substantial.
2. Use Microsoft Teams on the go
The mobile app allows you to continue to collaborate on the move, whether you’ve been called away from the office, or you need to work on the train to a business meeting. It’s entirely possible with the mobile app, which means you don’t have to be tied to a computer all day.
3. Third-party application compatibility
We use so many different applications at work these days that it becomes difficult to keep up with, but one thing Teams offers that we perhaps overlook is integration with many of these applications. From workflows to accounting, Teams is generally excellent at streamlining these processes alongside your telephony.
4. Security and encryption
With so many companies dealing with sensitive data, encryption is an absolute must for GDPR purposes. Teams offers that, along with fantastic cyber security, meaning you have one less thing to worry about.
5. Slash commands
You may not have even known about this feature, but you can use slash shortcuts for quick and easy actions. A slash command consists of a shortly typed phrase followed by a slash – for instance /activity will allow you to view someone’s activity, or /join will allow you to join a team. There are over a dozen in total, so it’s worth checking out the useful ones.
6. Speaker coach
Again, you may not have been aware, but Microsoft Teams can help you deliver a speech or presentation with tips on controlling your speech. It may offer you advice to slow down or even give you pointers on where you can improve – tone of voice, for example. Again, it’s a marker as to just how far we’ve come with our use of technology that we can do this.
7. Direct Routing
With Microsoft teams direct routing, you can connect on-premises telephony infrastructure to Microsoft Teams, meaning that everything is interconnected. Your telephony is optimized for the best results, which is especially great in light of the coming advancements in this area.
