Discover the Latest in Microsoft Teams: August 2024 Updates

New Microsoft Teams Licensing Structure: What You Need to Know

One of the most impactful changes is the new licensing structure for Microsoft Teams. Starting August 1st, Microsoft will no longer bundle Teams with Office 365 Enterprise SKUs. Instead, Teams will be available as an add-on. This shift can potentially increase costs for organizations using Enterprise licenses (E1, E3, E5). However, for those who do not use Teams, this presents an opportunity to reduce costs by opting out of the add-on.

Here are the key points to note:

• The affected SKUs include Office 365 E1, E3, E5 and Microsoft 365 E3, E5.
• There will be an additional cost of $3 per user annually for the Teams add-on.
• Existing licenses will remain unaffected as long as you maintain or increase the number of licenses, thanks to the grandfathering clause.
• It's important to note that nonprofit, education, and government clients are not impacted by this change—at least, not yet.
  

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What are the Enhancements and New Features in Microsoft Teams?

While the licensing changes might seem daunting, the new features in Microsoft Teams are designed to bring significant benefits. These updates aim to enhance user experience, improve collaboration, and streamline workflows, making your daily operations more efficient and productive. Let’s take a look at the innovative new features that will transform how your team works:

Effortless Collaboration Across Different Tenants

Switch effortlessly between multiple accounts without the need for re-authentication. This enhancement is perfect for consultants, freelancers, and businesses working with multiple clients or departments, allowing seamless cross-organizational collaboration and saving valuable time.

Enhanced Performance Benefits

Enjoy up to twice the speed and 50% less resource usage with the new Teams. This improvement is particularly beneficial for virtual desktop environments and large-scale deployments, ensuring a smoother experience even on less powerful hardware, and reducing lag during critical meetings.

Integration of Microsoft Loop

Create collaborative workspaces in Office 365 within Teams channels where teams can share and edit text, checklists, and files in real time. Imagine planning a project where everyone can contribute ideas, update progress, and manage tasks without leaving the Teams environment—Loop makes this a reality.

Advanced Search Capabilities

Use Control + F to find specific content within individual chats and channels quickly. Whether you’re hunting for a key piece of information discussed weeks ago or tracking down a shared file, the enhanced search functionality will save you time and frustration, boosting your overall productivity.

Enhanced OneDrive Integration

Access and manage your OneDrive files directly within Teams, creating a unified hub for all your documents and collaboration needs. No more switching between apps to find or share files—everything you need is right at your fingertips within the Teams interface.

Customizable Emoji Reactions

Personalize your quick-reaction emojis to better express your responses and interactions in chats. Customize your emojis to suit your communication style, making your interactions more expressive and fun, whether you’re giving quick feedback or celebrating team wins.

Meeting Hub

Access all your past and upcoming meetings, along with transcripts, videos, and shared files, in one centralized location. The Meetings app simplifies meeting management, allowing you to review materials, catch up on missed meetings, and prepare for future discussions effortlessly.

Integration with the Edge Browser

Open shared links directly in Edge with a sidebar chat view, allowing you to discuss and view links simultaneously. This integration is a game-changer for those working on single monitors or multitasking, enabling a smoother workflow without constant window switching.

Scheduled Message Deliveries

Schedule messages to be sent at optimal times, ensuring timely communication without disrupting off-hours. Perfect for global teams or flexible working hours, this feature allows you to draft messages when convenient and have them sent at the right moment, respecting recipients' time zones and work schedules.

Maximizing the Power of Microsoft Teams

The new features in Microsoft Teams are more than just incremental updates—they are transformative tools designed to elevate how your team collaborates, communicates, and achieves goals. From the seamless cross-tenant collaboration to the advanced search capabilities and integration with Microsoft Loop, each feature is tailored to make your workflows smoother and your team more productive.

To unlock the full potential of these features and see them in action, make sure to check out our detailed Microsoft Teams webinar hosted by Ted Brown. Dive into the specifics of each new tool, learn strategies to manage the new licensing costs, and discover how Microsoft Teams can revolutionize the way your organization works!