Microsoft has released Communities in Microsoft Teams to allow users to maintain human connections and community within the hybrid world.
The platform is designed to boost connections and collaboration and encourage Teams users to share ideas and thoughts.
Manik Gupta, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Teams, Product, said: "The ways in which we interact with one another have certainly shifted over the last few years.
"Thanks to technology, we have the ability to work from almost anywhere and minimise nonessential face-to-face appointments.
"But some things haven't changed in a hybrid world: our need for human connection and community."
Gupta enthused, adding:
"We’re excited to announce communities in Microsoft Teams — a new experience that enables people to come together, connect, share, and collaborate.
Gupta also spoke about the different types of users for the new platform and stated: "Whether your group is a recreational sports team, event planning committee, parent-teacher association, or even a small business, this new experience gives groups of all kinds a digital space to stay connected before, during, and after gatherings."
Teams Community Features
Microsoft has made it possible for users to do what they already do in Teams while in a community.
This includes sending messages, calling people, and sharing photos or files.
What makes communities different is that it will be easier than ever to share ideas and organise things such as events.
With the new Microsoft Teams community experience, users can do the following:
- Post messages to everyone in the group
- Organise events within the community and add them to a community calendar for everyone to view
- Users can share and store documents that are dedicated to that community's activity
- Community members can filter content quickly to access photos, videos, events, and links
Setting up a Community
According to Microsoft, it is "easy to get started" with communities on the Teams platform.
Users can use suggested community types on the Teams home screen and add branding elements such as a group picture for the community they are creating.
The host can then invite group members through their email address, phone number, a link or a QR code so members can join directly.
Community owners can manage settings, set community guidelines, and moderate any content that is being published.
Owners can also add or remove participants and posts as needed to help keep their members safe.
Community Events
Microsoft says that Communities in Teams offers a new events experience for organising virtual, hybrid, or in-person events.
Community members can add new events or meetings to the community calendar, invite guests, track attendance, and follow up with attendees through direct private messages.
Users can add dial-in details and a link for online events so participants can quickly join.
