Microsoft has released a long list of features at its partner conference, Microsoft Inspire 2023.
The new features include updates to Teams Chat, collaboration, Teams Phone, Teams Rooms, and webinars. Microsoft has also published its monthly “What’s New in Teams” July edition, which UC Today’s Rob Scott discussed with Tom Arbuthnot, Microsoft Teams Expert and Co-Founder of Empowering.Cloud.
Two of the most notable announcements are the additions of Microsoft 365 Copilot to Teams Phone and Teams Chat.
The launch of Copilot has been one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the unified communications space, as it brings with it some of the latest AI technology to enhance productivity for Microsoft 365 users.
Teams Chat
Copilot in Microsoft Teams Chat is now available as part of its Early Access Program, allowing users to rapidly bring key information together from chats in order to get answers to questions, view conversation summaries, organise discussion points, and summarise information.
A keyboard shortcut to search chats and channels will make it faster for users to locate the content they are after. By pressing CTRL + F on Windows, or Command + F on a Mac, it will open a search window through which users can enter their search terms. This keyboard shortcut is available right now.
Chat in Microsoft Edge, available later this year, is a new feature in which the chat window transfers to the Edge browser when opening a webpage link from Teams chat. This allows chat conversations to continue uninterrupted and it allows users to initiate new chats or access recent ones.
Teams Phone
Copilot in Microsoft Teams Phone, also available via Microsoft’s Early Access Program, adds AI capabilities to unscheduled calls through both VoIP and PSTN. It can create call summaries, recognise and store action items, and answer questions about conversations.
Shared calling lets admins enable users to access PSTN calling via a shared phone number and calling plan. This capability will become available later in the quarter.
Microsoft Teams Phone solutions in India will soon be available, as a result of Microsoft’s partnerships with local operators, including Airtel, Tata Communications, and Tat Tele Business Services. Using the Operator Connect platform, operators will be able to sell, support, and develop Teams phone solutions in India.
Teams Phone Mobile has expanded its availability to Denmark, Norway, and Liechtenstein, providing an enterprise-level calling solution to mobile workforces. It is currently available in the US, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Collaboration
Collaborative Notes in Teams Meetings, in public preview, allow attendees to collaborate in real-time on notes, meeting agendas, and follow-up tasks.