What you need to know
- Microsoft announced new Teams integrations and features at Ignite 2019.
- The features include closer ties to To Do and Planner, along with pinned channels and more.
- Healthcare workers will also now be able to conduct virtual consultations within Teams.
Updated November 4, 2019: We've added a quote from John Peluso on private channels for Microsoft Teams.
As part of its Ignite 2019 conference, Microsoft unveiled some handy new features coming to Microsoft Teams. The additions largely focus on making it easier to get more done, adding in several requests Teams users have had since the service launched.
Continuing with its tradition of bringing its services closer together, Microsoft announced To Do and Planner task integration, which means you won't have to fiddle with the apps outside of Teams to make sure you're staying on task. Teams and Outlook are also coming close together, allowing you to send an email thread directly to a Teams channel to further discuss its contents.
In addition to the above, Teams will also get secure private channels and multiwindow chats and meetings. Pinned channels, a feature Slack users will be familiar with, are also coming to Teams.
John Peluso, Microsoft Regional Director and CTO, public sector at AvePoint shared how private channels will solve problems for teams.
The introduction of Private Channels will solve very specific and widespread problems with how larger teams across organizations communicate. For one, Private Channels will help improve security. Currently, those who communicate frequently across large teams are always tempted to overshare information rather than separate teams. With the introduction of Private Channels, this will no longer happen.
For Yammer users, you'll now find the service integrated with the left-hand rail of Teams. Additionally, new tools and experiences for firstline workers and healthcare providers will allow them to conduct virtual consultations within Teams.
Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the Editor in Chief for Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. Got a hot tip? Send it to daniel.thorp-lancaster@futurenet.com.
