Online team collaboration is now the standard as companies expand their workforce globally. Instead of relying primarily on group emails, teams can now collaborate in real-time using an instant chat-style interface, regardless of their location.
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool created to bring company employees together in an online environment. It is tailored for video conferencing, real-time discussions, document sharing, and more for businesses and corporations.
What is Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace introduced in 2016 for Office 365 Enterprise and Business subscribers, succeeding Skype for Business. It also replaced Microsoft Classroom in Office 365 Education.
Microsoft Teams became widely available on March 14, 2017, for all Office 365 subscriptions, with a free version launched on July 12, 2018. The mobile version received family-friendly features in March 2020.
Microsoft Teams consists of five key components:
- Team – A virtual workspace for collaboration.
- Channel – An individual space that can be open to all or invite-only.
- Channel Tabs – Enables you to pin posts, files, and apps to channels.
- Activity Feed – Connects all channels for notifications.
- Chat – Private conversations among team members.
Administrators create teams and channels while members access shared documents via OneDrive. Microsoft Teams also integrates third-party apps like Trello, Zoom, and more.
What sets Microsoft Teams apart?
Microsoft Teams competes with Slack, Workplace from Facebook, and Discord, offering unique features for business communication.
Microsoft Teams Overview
The interface includes tabs for Activity, Chat, and Teams, with various tools for communication and collaboration.
Cost of Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams offers plans for home and business users, with features like storage, group calling, and encryption.
Where to Get Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is available on multiple platforms for easy access.
Getting Started with Microsoft Teams
You can start using Microsoft Teams for free with a Microsoft account without subscribing to Office 365.
Ready for Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams is a versatile tool for business collaboration, offering a range of features for communication. Check out our in-depth tutorial on how to use Microsoft Teams to get started.
