Online collaboration is the new normal and Microsoft Teams makes it even easier

It’s never been easier to communicate and interact with your colleagues remotely. And that’s all thanks to amazing collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Teams takes remote collaboration one step further.

The platform is designed to create one of the most organized and efficient online working environments out there allowing users to meet, chat, and share with ease.

In this article, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about Teams and why it might just revolutionize your next project management role. If you’re about to embark on a project management journey of your own, a tool like MS Teams is guaranteed to help you keep on top of all those tasks, deadlines, meetings, and employees.

We’ll be covering…

• What is Microsoft Teams?
• How does it work?
• Key benefits of using Microsoft Teams

So, without further ado, let’s begin!

What is Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool that facilitates instant messaging, group chats, and video calling.

As well as streamlining your communications, Teams also integrates with those all-important Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Because of this handy integration, employees can collaborate on these applications together in real-time.

Even when everyone is in a different location, Teams makes it easy to create and edit documents online.

These documents are then automatically saved to SharePoint so that you can search for them later and nothing gets lost or discarded.

How does it work?

Microsoft Teams uses Office 365 Groups and Azure Active Dictionary to provide a safe, online space where teams can communicate, share files, and integrate with third-party applications like Project Central for even more useful features.

Let’s take a look at some of Microsoft Teams’ best features.

1.    Sharing

With Microsoft Teams you can upload up to 15GB of data and share files with your colleagues with ease.

You’ll be able to share documents, videos, and make use of in-line video playback.

Plus, thanks to the handy integration with Office files, you and your teams can work directly from Word or Excel without leaving the app. Super convenient.

2.    Scheduling

Schedule meetings using the in-built Microsoft Exchange integration.

As soon as you schedule a meeting in Outlook, it will automatically update on Teams.

When you send a meeting request to one or more recipients, their calendars will be coordinated with yours to make sure that all parties are available for the meeting.

Then all that’s left is for your attendees to RSVP to the meeting request.

3.    Search

Another great feature in Teams is the search function.

Enhanced search allows users to locate information quickly.

You’ll be able to search for specific files, file names, or apps just by typing in relevant keywords into the search field.

4.   Plan

The planner allows you to organize all of your teams’ tasks in one place.

You’ll be able to assign specific tasks to individual team members and check in on their progress as they go.

As soon as you create a new task the relevant team member will be alerted and sent all the necessary resources.

It’s also very straightforward to set due dates, reassign tasks, and make various other amendments to your planning, staffing, or resourcing structures.

Key benefits when using Microsoft Teams

There are lots of collaboration tools out there these days.

Teams is Microsoft’s top offering and, as such, comes with some tremendous benefits for project managers. From its ease of use to fantastic integrations, let’s take a look at some of the top benefits.

Teams is easy to use

When tasked with managing a project, you want resources that are going to make life easier, not harder.

Microsoft Teams certainly delivers in that regard.

Teams is incredibly easy to use and is designed specifically for making group work a seamless and straightforward experience for all involved.

All it takes is a few clicks to set up a conference call or group chat.

Teams will increase your workflow and collaboration efficiency, allowing your team members to work better and faster on projects – wherever they are.

Teams gets everything in one place

Microsoft Teams is ideal for project managers because it allows you to meet, chat, call, and collaborate all from one intuitive interface.

Instead of having a separate tool for each of these functions, you’ll be able to rest assured that everything is there ready to go when you need it.

Plus, because Teams integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office 365 tools you won’t just have access to communications capabilities.

You’ll also enjoy easy access to all your favorite Office apps like Word, Excel, SharePoint, and more.

Teams is constantly updated

Microsoft Teams is always being updated with new apps, integrations, and improvements.

The Microsoft Teams app store is full of useful tools that will help improve your project management capabilities.

Tools like Microsoft Graph and third-party offerings such as SurveyMonkey, Project Central, and Trello.

Teams is great for Microsoft 365 users

For any organization already reliant on Microsoft Office as their primary document collaboration platform, Teams is that natural next step up.

Teams is included as part of your Microsoft 365 subscription. The added capabilities that you get with Microsoft Teams will help you get the most out of your existing tools.

If your employees are already using other Microsoft Office apps like OneNote or One Drive, for example, they will now be able to sync these resources directly with Teams for a truly seamless workflow.

Teams integrates with great third-party apps

When you subscribe to Microsoft Teams, you’re not just subscribing to Microsoft Teams. Hear me out.

Teams integrates with a wide range of great third-party apps. Apps like Project Central.

All you have to do is search for and download Project Central in the Microsoft Teams app store and you’ll be able to enjoy amazing project management capabilities direct from Teams. Manage projects directly from a channel or within a chat.

Your Project Central integration will use Microsoft Teams as a central location from which you can manage all of your projects and communication needs.

You’ll get advanced Microsoft Teams communication channels plus Project Central’s great management features.

Get Teams for your team

Microsoft Teams is a fantastic resource that aids communication and collaboration for remote teams.

As well as being able to chat, video call, and schedule meetings, Teams offers users the opportunity to sync directly with their existing Office 365 account, documents, and resources.

Perfect for simultaneous, real-time collaboration away from the office.

For project managers, Teams integrates with Project Central for a two-pronged project management approach that includes both seamless collaboration and simple, intuitive management tools. The perfect match.