#Microsoft365 – In a previous post I mentioned that I see Microsoft Teams as the Gateway drug to Office 365. I’ve taken quite the ‘360’ on this topic and today I’d like to share with you how and why Microsoft Teams has impressed my socks off.

For previous posts in my #Microsoft365Challenge go to the index page.

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Lets start with what makes me happy 🙂

  • Helping people – help themselves
  • Using tools that makes my life easier (and that of my users)
  • Being informed, having clarity

What stifled adoption before:

Yup – it’s analogy time.

I can’t say that I did it wrong before, as we do the best we can, at the time, with the tools available. But looking back at the last couple of years made me think of all the parts that goes into assembling a car.

So someone needs transport = car. Previously we’d issue them with the seats. Then a while later, we’d give them a steering wheel and maybe 1 tyre. When things go wrong we’d add mirrors and indicators to ‘firm’ up the security and governance. When the seats start falling apart due to exposure, we’d remember to add a roof. And so on… you get the picture.

We (IT) knew that by adding all the parts they’d end up with transport. The challenge was that most people don’t visualize things so well. Another external influence that affected outcome was that ‘parts’ would get updated and not fit the original model anymore, or the original mechanic would leave the garage and the new guys just wouldn’t understand what his original vision was for your dream car. Between us – there was way too much “Custom Fibreglass Work” going on as well – which broke every time we upgraded the car. #JustSaying

Not quite the dream car you imagined?

Image result for strangest looking car ever

By now you’d understand that by parts I meant all the platforms / apps we made available to our users. Sometimes without understanding the end result ourselves. Don’t be too hard on yourself – most of the time we did the best we could with what we had.

This brings me to Teams.

What makes Microsoft Teams different?

This is a pre-assembled car. Which also allows you to add extra seats, doors etc. as per your requirement. No development required. Pretty awesome.

Now imagine having to roll out SharePoint, OneDrive, Planner, OneNote and Skype for Business in one go. In a company that hasn’t really used these apps / platforms before. It would be too much at one time and users would be very confused with all the different places to sign in and the when to use what problem. Biggest challenge for them would be to understand and visualize the picture.

Microsoft Teams has truly changed all of that. I am now introducing users to one thing which does a lot. They understand the purpose much better as it’s in one place. And addresses all their needs. Not to mention the fact that it’s now available to external users as well.

That’s my thoughts for today. I’ll be sharing much more on how we use Microsoft Teams to change the way people work.

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Purpose of this blog challenge:

I will write 365 blogs in 365 days around Microsoft 365. I did a similar challenge with Office 365, blogs can be found here. I won’t just be talking about the new Microsoft 365 subscription model. I will be sharing any news, tips and tricks around Office / Office 365 / Windows / Mobility and Security. And let’s not forget all the great new Apps & services available.  A lot of what I’ll share on Office and SharePoint will also be applicable to none “Office 365” versions.