Microsoft Teams is evolving in big ways. A bunch of new features designed to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and improve user experience are making it even more powerful and essential for many organizations. Here are three recent enhancements that we’re excited to leverage in our work.
1. Combined Chat
The introduction of Combined Chat is a game-changer for simplifying collaboration in Teams. By merging chats and channels into a unified view, users no longer need to toggle between multiple sections to track conversations. Here’s why this matters:
Find things more quickly with Persistent Filters:
The addition of filters like Unread, Chat, Channels, Meeting, Muted, and @Mentions means users can prioritize what needs their attention first. For example, someone managing multiple projects can focus on unread messages without losing time navigating different sections.
Stay on task with Sections:
Organizing chats (1:1, group, meeting) and channels by topic allows users to maintain better context for their discussions. Whether you’re juggling a product launch or collaborating on a marketing campaign, you can group related conversations in a way that mirrors your workflow.
Work according to your style:
Not everyone works the same way. The option to toggle between combined chat and teams or separate views ensures that both minimalist and traditional users can customize Teams to their liking. This kind of personalization boosts user adoption and satisfaction.
By providing a more intuitive way to manage communication, Combined Chat enables users to stay focused, improve response times, and reduce the cognitive load associated with multitasking.
2. Copilot Integration
Copilot is revolutionizing productivity across Microsoft’s ecosystem, and its integration into Teams is no exception. This AI-driven assistant is all about empowering users to work smarter, not harder. Here's how:
Effortless catch-up on conversations:
Copilot can summarize lengthy chat threads, so you can quickly get up to speed on key points without wading through endless messages.
Make meetings more actionable:
Imagine finishing a meeting and instantly having a summary and follow-up tasks ready. This feature reduces manual effort while ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Find insights and information faster:
Whether you’re trying to locate a specific file or a buried conversation, Copilot’s advanced search features save time and eliminate frustration.
In a world where time is one of the most valuable resources, Copilot helps teams move faster and focus on what really matters—making decisions and driving results.
3. New Teams Calendar
Time management is the backbone of effective teamwork, and the revamped Teams calendar takes scheduling to the next level:
Modernize and simplify your view:
With day, week, and month layouts, users can plan their schedules in a way that suits their needs. This flexibility is especially useful for individuals balancing meeting-heavy days with heads-down focus time.
Power up Teams with familiar features:
Familiar tools like Find a Time, Room Finder, and Reminders make it easier to coordinate schedules and resources across teams. This is particularly helpful for large, dispersed teams that rely on precision scheduling to keep projects moving.
By incorporating user-favorite features from Outlook, the new calendar brings a sense of familiarity while also providing fresh tools for productivity. It’s a small but impactful way to reduce friction in daily workflows.
Why These Updates Matter
Microsoft Teams continues to evolve into a more powerful and user-friendly platform, addressing the challenges of modern workplaces. Features like Combined Chat, Copilot integration, and the improved calendar aren’t just about adding functionality—they’re about solving real pain points for users:
Improved productivity:
Teams reduces the effort required to find, manage, and act on information.
Seamless collaboration:
By streamlining communication and workflows, Teams empowers users to work together more effectively, even across remote or hybrid environments.
Enhanced user satisfaction:
Customizable views and AI assistance cater to diverse working styles, helping individuals feel more in control of their tools.
At BrainStorm, we’re constantly keeping an eye on how tools like Microsoft Teams are transforming workplaces. These updates are just the beginning, and we’re here to help your team stay ahead of the curve and drive adoption of your Microsoft tools. Ready to learn more? Contact us today!
Microsoft 365
