Microsoft released new updates and features for Microsoft 365 in September to improve user experience and workplace collaboration.
A number of features have been added to Microsoft Viva and Microsoft Teams Rooms. It rolled out a new Windows 11 update and released its latest Work Trend Index Pulse report.
Microsoft is also looking forward to the next major event on its calendar, Microsoft Ignite. The conference, taking place October 12-14, 2022, will put Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Viva, Windows 365 and Windows 11 center stage.
Colette Stallbaumer, General Manager, Microsoft 365 and the Future of Worksaid, “At Microsoft, we believe that dynamic, empowered employees are the key to sustainable competitive advantage for every organization.
“Just last week, we released a new Work Trend Index pulse report with three urgent pivots to help leaders align everyone in the organization around the most impactful work and help people thrive.
“Microsoft 365 is the integrated, secure, cloud-focused solution that enables all the ways people work today, where, when and how they work, while simplifying IT and reducing cost and complexity.
Microsoft Viva
According to Microsoft, Viva reduced onboarding times by 50%, reduced employee attrition by 20%, and increased productivity by 75%. The result was three times the return on investment.
Managers can now better understand the needs of their teams with a new employee feedback tool called Viva Pulse. The app allows managers to receive feedback from their teams directly within Teams itself.
Viva Amplify is a new app that empowers business leaders to communicate their message and motivate their employees. It offers tips for writing messages, enables posting to different channels and groups in Microsoft 365, and provides metrics to help improve performance.
Leadership Corner was announced as generally available last month and delivered new features for Viva Engage. It enables leaders to strategize with employees, pursue company initiatives, and resolve employee issues. The feature encourages open dialogue via news, surveys, Ask Me Anything (AMA) events, and more.
Microsoft Teams Rooms
Microsoft says more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies are already using Microsoft Teams Rooms.
Teams Rooms Pro launched, delivering innovations and the Teams Rooms managed services platform. Teams Rooms Pro simplifies payment and offers the benefits of its latest hybrid meeting experience and device management. The cost of Teams Rooms Pro is currently $40 per room per month.
Teams Rooms Basic is an option for small business or small Teams Rooms deployments. It offers basic Teams features like whiteboarding, content sharing, joining meetings, and scheduling. Teams Rooms Basic comes free with any purchase of certified Teams Rooms devices beginning September 1, 2022 and includes up to 25 licenses per tenant.
UC today took a closer look at the new team rooms this month and found the new Teams Rooms packaging to be a downgrade for many.
Windows 11 2022 Update
All of the following features will be available as a free update on new Windows 11, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Windows 365 Cloud PC devices.
The first major update to the Windows 11 operating system was made available this month.
Windows Credential Guard has been added to isolate secrets and make them only accessible to privileged system software, making it harder for attackers to infiltrate your network.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen adds better protection against phishing by locating malicious apps and hacked websites to warn users of password mismanagement.
Smart App Control prevents employees from using malicious apps by blocking unsigned and untrusted apps.
Windows Autopatch reduces endpoint vulnerability by keeping endpoints secure and compliant with automatic updates and patches on time, without downtime.
Microsoft Endpoint Manager provides application and driver compatibility information to help understand Windows 11 compatibility risks. Endpoint Manager integrates with Microsoft 365 and Azure to enhance employee safety and improve the user experience. IT administrator.
Update Compliance will now use Azure Workbooks to deliver a simpler, more responsive, and consistent product.
Windows Studio Effects has been added to improve audio and video calls. It includes features like voice focus to eliminate background noise, auto framing and eye contact to center and focus your image.
System-wide live captioning has been implemented to make it easier for speakers to understand when working in a noisy environment and to help people who are hard of hearing or have an easier time processing visual information.
Labor Trend Index Pulse Report
The Work Trend Index Pulse report listed three key pivots for leaders to put in place. First, they need to put an end to the paranoia of the product. Second, they have to accept the fact that people come to work for each other. Finally, they must re-recruit their employees.
Paranoia of the final product: The majority of employees (87%) said they were productive at work, and Microsoft 365 productivity signals continued to climb. By spring, the number of meetings per week had increased by 153% for average Teams users globally. Despite this, 85% of leaders say the shift to hybrid working has made it difficult to trust employee productivity.
Renewing business expectations: Workers now expect flexibility in when and where they work. 73% of employees say they need a better reason to work in an office than just company expectations. Connecting with colleagues, however, would motivate 84% of employees to return to the office. Gen Z and millennials are the most motivated group to return to the office in order to connect with work friends, as well as upper management.
Re-recruit your Employees: Data shows that employees need to be able to learn and grow or they will leave. 76% of employees say they would stay with their company if they had better learning and development support. The best leaders should not ignore or fight these trends, but prioritize learning and development to help both the employee and the company grow. Younger age groups are particularly ambitious, with 76% of Gen Z and Millennials aiming to be their own boss, compared to 63% of Gen X+.
Microsoft released its 2022 Annual Labor Trend Index earlier in the year, which revealed employees felt disconnected and managers felt their leadership was not aligned with employee expectations.
In August, Microsoft released new improvements to Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, OneDrive, SharePoint, Viva Goals, WorkLab Guides, etc.
