Back in February 2023, I wrote a blog post about an announcement by Microsoft that an improved performance version of Microsoft Teams is on the way. Well, the day has come for the release of the NEW Microsoft Teams and the initial reaction has been very favorable.
As a reminder, something good that came out of Spring 2020 was that Atlantech Online began delivering Teams Calling to our user base. We began using Teams Calling for our operations at that time, as well.
Microsoft Teams serves as a multifaceted communication and collaboration tool beneficial for businesses of all sizes. It boasts robust calling features, including options for call forwarding and voicemail through the UCaaS platform, customizable caller IDs, and compatibility with the Atlantech Online Contact Center and Call Recording platforms.
Teams further amplifies collaboration by supporting both audio and video conferencing, allowing screen sharing, document collaboration, and meeting recordings. This efficiency is enhanced by Teams' seamless integration with other Microsoft applications like Outlook, SharePoint, and OneNote, centralizing tasks and information access, ensuring businesses remain interconnected and efficient regardless of team member locations.
Microsoft Teams Reimagined
In response to the feedback from the user community, Microsoft reengineered Teams at its core to emphasize speed, efficiency, and flexibility. The revamped Teams platform delivers enhanced performance metrics, resource efficiency, and advanced features geared toward technical professionals.
Based on collaborations with GigaOm, an independent benchmarking firm, resulted in the following performance metrics when comparing the new Teams app with the classic version across diverse laptop configurations:
- Installation Speed: Up to 3X faster.
- App Launch: Up to 2X faster.
- Meeting Join Time: Up to 2X faster.
- Chat/Channel Switching: Up to 1.7X faster.
- Memory Consumption: Reduced by up to 50%.
- Disk Space Utilization: Reduced by up to 70%.
By analyzing frequent user interactions, Microsoft has optimized the navigation system to reduce lag times. Users typically switch between chats, channels, and activities over ten thousand times per month, underscoring the necessity for instantaneous response. In this updated version, content loads are significantly reduced, ensuring swift access to required information. Moreover, resource utilization has been optimized, preserving memory and disk space, and ensuring compatibility with a wider array of devices.
Something I didn't experience myself, but I know of others that did, were the complications faced when interacting across multiple organizational boundaries and handling multiple accounts. The updated Teams facilitates active sign-ins across these accounts simultaneously, streamlining notifications and minimizing workflow disruptions. This enhancement allows for seamless interactions across diverse accounts and organizations, negating the need for constant log-ins and outs.
A feature that one of our sysadmin staff has sang praises about is a cohesive management experience, particularly for Teams' deployment on Windows devices. The integration with Microsoft Intune allows for straightforward app deployment and updates. The Intune's support for MSIX applications means silent installations and uninstallations are now achievable. The new Teams packaged in MSIX is not only more reliable in terms of installation but also maximizes network efficiency and reduces memory footprints.
Microsoft illustrates their continuous commitment to safeguard against cyber threats and have incorporated state-of-the-art security measures into Teams. With the inclusion of Trusted Types and a reinforced Content Security Policy, users of the new Teams app are better shielded against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Furthermore, the MSIX packaging format ensures that Teams benefits from inherent Windows security features, always providing users with the most recent security patches and bug fixes.
With these enhancements catered to the advanced requirements of business and government users, we believe that Microsoft Teams remains a tool of choice for modern professionals and is superior to other choices in the marketplaces. This is especially true if opting into the Operator Connect program. Call us today so we can hear about your needs and how adding on our Teams Calling service can help deliver solutions that help improve your bottom line.
