What is Microsoft Teams Used For?
Designed as an expansive communication application, Microsoft Teams is primarily used as a way for colleagues and third party individuals to contact each other and work closely together. It boasts a wide range of helpful functions to help facilitate collaboration via communication. These include:
Instant Messaging
One of the most popular uses of Microsoft Teams is the simple ‘Chat’ option. This works like other modern messenger applications such as WhatsApp and Slack, in that it allows users to type quick messages to each other that will appear instantly. It can be used for quick questions, social conversation, and sending documents too. There is also the option to use emojis and GIFs.
Video calling
Anyone in the same Microsoft Teams account (generally this would include a whole workforce or those who have been invited), can use the application to make video calls with each other. There can be two or more participants, meaning it’s an ideal platform on which to conduct team meetings with remote workers.
External conference calling
In addition to hosting video calls for teammates, Microsoft Teams also gives the option to invite external stakeholders to calls, using a dial-in phone number. This is a useful function for companies that use third party suppliers, or who have clients that are closely involved with projects. Again, this option can also be used to conduct business meetings with people who are unable to visit your office.
Document sharing
Documents created on Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be uploaded on Microsoft Teams, for sharing among colleagues. Such documents can be downloaded and edited on a desktop, or likewise, it’s possible for multiple colleagues to work on a document simultaneously via SharePoint. SharePoint is a Microsoft document storage platform, where documents are automatically saved and can be accessed at any time. Password protection can be added if required, to limit the accessibility of documents.
Screen sharing
For even further ease of collaboration, it’s possible for participants of video calls to share their screen with other people on the call. This could be a useful tool for all kinds of meetings, whether to simply explain a query or to go through a presentation in a team or client meeting.
Creating group categories
Within Microsoft Teams you can build separate Teams and Channels, with Channels being subsets within a Team. This is a useful option for businesses that work with various clients, or on multiple projects because it means communication relating to specific areas can be kept separate. This makes it easier for users when it comes to locating historic instructions or comments.
Microsoft Teams’ functions are helpful for colleagues of all levels and in all kinds of business. It’s a very user-friendly piece of software that demands very little knowledge of IT. Read our guide to how to use Microsoft Teams effectively to find out more about how it works, and how it could help your team to communicate and collaborate more.
