Frontline Workers Gain Outlook, Edge, Viva Engage, and Power Apps

Microsoft has added key apps for users of Android shared devices

3
microsoft-frontline-workers
Unified CommunicationsLatest News

Published: May 30, 2023

James Stephen

Technology Journalist

Microsoft has launched Outlook, Edge, Viva Engage, and Power Apps for its Android-shared device customers.

Shared device mode enables users to easily authenticate themselves across various applications, allowing them to sign in and out of applications in one fell swoop so that devices can be quickly exchanged and personalised.

Frontline workers frequently need to share devices and this solution adds relevant capabilities while keeping device recycling times to a minimum.

Christina Wu, Product Marketing on Microsoft Teams for Frontline Workers, said: “Today, we are excited to unlock key scenarios on Android shared devices for customers.

“We are announcing the general availability of Outlook, Edge, Viva Engage (previously Yammer), and Power Apps on shared Android devices, joining the portfolio of apps including, Microsoft Teams and Managed Home Screen.”

As soon as a frontline worker has signed into an Android device via Microsoft’s shared device mode, they will have access to Outlook, through which they can communicate with other members of their team.

Power Apps is being used by numerous companies to automate manual and fragmented processes to free up time for frontline workers to spend on their customers.

For example, an inspection app to complete customised inspection checklists could help to reduce some of their workloads.

Frontline workers can also now benefit from Edge through the ability to access any web-based application on shared Android devices.

This can help them to resolve customer issues through shipping apps to check delivery status or find the answers to technical questions by searching internal wikis.

Viva Engage, previously called Yammer, gives frontline workers a point of connection to relevant work communities.

As a result, they can be easily contacted by managers as leadership, attain company mission and strategic priorities information, and learn from those with similar job roles.

When frontline workers complete their shift, they are able to sign out from the above applications in a single click, as well as Microsoft Teams, and other apps already available.

As well as signing users out from their accounts, all Edge browsing information and personal information on Viva Engaged is removed so that it can be returned to the device pool.

Further data protection can be added using Intune’s Application Protection Policies to ensure that the device is completely wiped clean of user data.

The frontline worker connectivity solutions provider, Spectralink, explained the key elements to keeping frontline workers connected.

Microsoft Teams on the Frontline

In March 2023, Microsoft shared insights into its work on the Teams platform, as part of the National Retail Federation (NRF) event for 2023.

Microsoft Teams provides retailers with a simple way to connect front-of-store employees with customer experts through a comprehensive application ecosystem.

It transpired that multiple leading companies, such as L’Oréal are using Teams’ collaboration tools for their frontline workers.

Microsoft even has a dedicated retail-focussed blog, providing information to help companies transform their frontline teams.

Teams is not only popular within the retail sector, but it has also become the industry standard for communication and collaboration.

Now, with the addition of Outlook, Edge, Viva Engage, and Power Apps, offering applications that have been designed and redesigned with frontline workers in mind, Microsoft is forging a highly attractive connectivity and productivity solution for frontline workers.

 

 

Frontline WorkersUser Experience

Brands mentioned in this article.

Featured

Share This Post