Microsoft Teams Software Targets Big-Office Customers

Microsoft Teams Software Targets Big-Office Customers
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Microsoft officially rolled out its Teams workplace-collaboration software, counting on integration with its ubiquitous Office and Outlook programs and partnerships with popular business software makers such as SAP to challenge Slack for big corporate customers, according to Bloomberg.

Teams, in preview mode since November, is now widely available in 181 markets, Microsoft said. Already 50,000 Office 365 customers, including Expedia and Alaska Air Group, have started trying it. Expedia has its 300-person information technology group using Teams to chat, share presentations and hold teleconferences.

Microsoft needs to do well in this fast-growing market because a sizable part of corporate email traffic, where the company dominates, is moving to chat, where Slack and HipChat were pioneers. More importantly, Microsoft sees Teams as a way to push more of its clients to switch from traditional, on-premise Office software to the subscription-based cloud version, Office 365. Teams is available only to paying customers of Office 365.

Teams has several design elements that are different from Slack's, including the ability to put different applications and tasks in tabs located across the top of the screen. For example, users can add a tab that takes then directly to their Excel spreadsheets or third-party apps like Zenefits human-resources software and Polly, a service that collects data via recurring employee polls.

Since the preview, the company has added 100 new features, such as making it easier to schedule meetings. Microsoft is planning to add about 100 more in the next three months, including allowing guest access for users outside the company. Future upgrades will improve integration with Microsoft's Outlook email program.