Microsoft Teams continues to be the “glue” for organizations that are collaborating as a hybrid workforce, and Microsoft has recognized the important role that Microsoft Teams is playing in the modern workplace.
Microsoft recently announced updates to Microsoft Teams that will extend collaboration capabilities and offer up more integration with Microsoft 365 applications. These new capabilities address the demands of hybrid offices and deliver additional remote collaboration functionality.
Teams enables a hybrid workforce
While we can certainly appreciate in-person collaboration, Kiefer recognizes that office life is happening online and Microsoft Teams is where the majority of work is getting done. Microsoft’s vision for Teams and enabling users to interface with one application as opposed to having to switch between applications is just one of many reasons Teams has secured a place in the hearts and minds of the distributed workforce. Ease of use and practical features that allow you to communicate and collaborate has made Teams and indispensable tool of the modern workplace.
What are Fluid components?
Microsoft introduced “fluid components” about 2 years ago. Essentially, these are small apps (items like tables, charts, and lists) that can be dropped into Microsoft 365 applications and edited by multiple users at the same time. In May 2021, Microsoft announced that users will be able to collaborate using fluid components within the chat function of Microsoft Teams.
In June, Microsoft shared that Fluid components will be integrated into Teams meetings and several apps, including, Outlook, OneNote, and Whiteboard apps.
The evolution of documents
Microsoft Teams has brought the sharing of documents to a whole new level. The idea of sending a document to a colleague via e-mail seems unpractical and counter-intuitive to how we work within our organization. Single source of truth and collaboration are important considerations when we share a document. Fluid components and co-authoring have changed how we view a document. All documents now are “collaboration ready” in Microsoft 365.
When can you expect to see Fluid components
At time of publishing, Fluid components for Team Chat are in private preview with an anticipated release in August 2021. Wider availability is expected early next year. The availability of some of the components is limited to Microsoft 365 commercial customers only.
We believe that Microsoft will continue to make Teams a “sticky” solution for distributed and remote teams and a valued tool of the hybrid workplace. Fluid components will be just one of many features that we won’t be able to live without.