Microsoft Reveals Teams Premium and PSTN Numbers
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced during the company’s quarterly earnings call that Microsoft Teams Premium has surpassed half a million users, while Teams Phone users have soared to 17 million. The quarterly earnings saw a year-on-year increase of 8% in total revenue, amounting to $56.2 billion, with operating profit up 18% to $24.3 billion.
Despite generative AI taking the spotlight during the call, Nadella highlighted the growing momentum of Microsoft Teams across collaboration, chat, meetings, and calling. Teams Premium, which became generally available in February of the same year, has already attracted over 600,000 users. This add-on for existing Teams licenses offers advanced features such as AI-powered meeting recaps and live translation and boasts global organizations like Starbucks and PepsiCo among its customers.
“We continue to build momentum in Microsoft Teams across collaboration, chat, meetings, and calling,” Nadella said.
Teams Phone, lauded by Nadella as the market leader in cloud calling, experienced a significant increase of 45% in PSTN users year on year, reaching 17 million. The company did not disclose Teams Rooms usage figures but stated that over 70% of Fortune 500 organizations, including L’Oreal, United Airlines, and US Bank, are utilizing it, leading to a doubling of revenue year on year for Teams Rooms.
Nadella also highlighted the focus on app development within Teams, with customers having built more than 145,000 custom applications for the platform. The Teams app store currently offers more than 1,900 apps for download, including those used by companies like British Airways and Manulife.
Amazon’s New Return-to-Office Policy
Amazon has introduced a new policy requiring its employees to return to physical office locations, necessitating some workers to relocate. The policy, aimed at fostering in-person collaboration, was confirmed by the company. Employees who wish to continue working with Amazon are being asked to move, potentially impacting their personal and work-life balance.
The decision to return to office work comes amidst ongoing discussions surrounding the future of remote work and its implications on productivity and employee well-being. As Amazon seeks to implement its return-to-office policy, employees are faced with significant choices, including relocating to comply with the new guidelines or exploring alternative options.
While the specifics of the policy and the number of affected employees were not disclosed, the move highlights Amazon’s approach to workplace dynamics and its stance on the importance of in-person interactions for certain roles. As the business world continues to evolve post-pandemic, companies like Amazon are navigating how to strike a balance between remote and in-office work arrangements that cater to the needs of both the business and its workforce.
RingCentral Expands in India
In a strategic move to tap into India’s thriving technology and business services sectors, RingCentral, a leading communication and collaboration solutions provider, has announced its ambitious plan to expand its workforce in the country. The company aims to double its employee count in India within the next year.
Sathesh Murthy, Managing Director and Engineering Head of RingCentral India, said:
“We believe the deep Indian talent pool can help us further innovate and take advantage of these opportunities.
“As we lay the foundation to provide AI-powered global communications solutions for Indian enterprises, we will continue to invest in people, focusing on innovative approaches to support learning, digital skills development, and training opportunities for talent in India.”
The decision to bolster its presence in India reflects RingCentral’s confidence in the nation’s vast talent pool and its potential as a crucial hub for the company’s operations. With India’s reputation as a favoured destination for global businesses, RingCentral intends to leverage the skilled workforce, competitive cost structures, and favourable business environment to strengthen its capabilities in serving customers and driving innovation.
Poly Bags Teams Certification
Poly has received Microsoft Teams certifications for three Savi headsets and the Poly Edge E Series. The newly certified Savi headsets include the 8400 and 7400 Office Series, and the 7300 UC Series, designed to enhance communication experiences with wireless DECT technology. The headsets offer features like noise reduction, security measures, and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams for a better collaboration experience.
Additionally, Poly and Microsoft have partnered to launch a bulk sign-in feature via Poly Lens, the Teams SIP phone deployment solution. This feature allows provisioning up to 100 desktop and conference room phones simultaneously, streamlining the deployment process and improving end-user experiences.
The Poly Edge E Series phone, enabled for Microsoft Teams SIP gateway, offers multiple connection options and features like noise reduction technology and Microban antimicrobial protection, catering to various work environments.
