Client Area
  • Home
  • Sectors
    • IT for Business
    • IT for Education
    • IT for Charities
  • Our Services
    • IT Support Services
    • IT Security Services
    • IT Cloud Services
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Microsoft 365 Business Voice
    • Managed Connectivity
    • Managed IT Infrastructure
  • IT Masterclass Training
  • The ITSB Byte
  • Contact
IT Support Business IT Support Business
  • Solutions
    • COVID-19 Solutions
      • iDisplay Digital Thermometer
      • Protection – LCD Hand Sanitisers
  • Sectors
    • IT for Business
    • IT for Education
    • IT for Charities
  • IT Services
    • IT Support Services
    • IT Security Services
      • Managed Detection & Response (MDR)
      • Microsoft 365 Security Monitoring
      • Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection
      • Penetration Testing
      • Dark Web Monitoring
      • Cyber Essentials
        • Cyber Essentials
        • Cyber Essentials Plus
      • SSL Certificates
    • IT Cloud Services
      • Microsoft Teams
      • Cloud Protection For Microsoft Office 365
      • Power BI – Data Reporting and Visualisation
      • Email Signatures For Microsoft 365
    • IT Automation Services
      • Intelligent Automation
      • Microsoft Power Automate
    • Modern Workplace
      • Power BI – Data Reporting and Visualisation
    • Microsoft 365 Business Voice
    • Managed Connectivity
    • Managed IT Infrastructure
    • IT Masterclass Training
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Join The Team
    • The ITSB Byte (Blog)
  • Contact
  • Client Area
Support
Security
Cloud
Call Us: 0333 344 2204
View our Audio Visual Solutions
IT Support Business
Call our experts

The biggest Microsoft Teams headlines in 2020

2020 has definitely been Microsoft Teams’ year… and its not even over yet. Find out the biggest highlights and features in our latest Byte below….

2020 isn’t over yet, but one thing’s for sure: it has definitely been the year of Microsoft Teams. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak the platform was enjoying healthy growth, but its popularity soared when millions of people were forced to work from home back in the spring.

Teams saw a 70% increase in user numbers in April 2020 alone. Many organisations would be content to sit back and relax now, but it seems that Microsoft’s aspirations for its collaboration platform are limitless. The company’s developers have truly taken advantage of Teams’ newfound popularity to introduce a rich set of new updates and features this year.

We thought we would break down the biggest headlines and features for the platform so far in 2020:

Skyrocketing user growth

The platform’s unprecedented growth topped technology news headlines earlier this year. In April 2020, Teams surpassed 75 million daily active users, with this number likely to have grown further since then. When you consider that the Teams user base was 20 million in November 2019, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global workforce is clear.

Multiple window capability

Older versions of Teams only allowed users to have one meeting or call open at a time; multi-tasking was out of the question. This year, Microsoft announced “Multi-window experiences”, providing the ability to have multiple windows open at once. Take a call, join a meeting, chat to a colleague – this feature offers a significant amount of flexibility.

More video participants

One of the main areas in which Teams has previously struggled to compete with Zoom is in the number of visible video participants it allowed in a meeting. Originally, only four participants could be seen at a time, making large meetings somewhat clunky and un-engaging. In the spring, Microsoft addressed this by introducing a 9-participant grid view, which recently grew to a 49-person video gallery.

Microsoft Teams in 2020

Using Teams for free

Microsoft was quick to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Quickly realising the effect that Teams would have on working dynamics, the company offered a free 6-month subscription to all businesses and institutions that weren’t currently licensed. By introducing thousands of new users to the benefits of Teams and Business Voice, the company got a head start on its rivals in the booming remote working market.

Video calls are the new face-to-face

Teams has always offered video functionality but when most employees were in the office, it was habit to either meet face to face or have a quick audio call. Since global lockdowns forced people into their homes, video calls have become the new norm and are proving to be a great way to maintain a sense of team spirit. In March 2020, video was used in 43% of Teams meetings, compared to just 21% the month before. Overall, Teams video calls have grown by more than 1,000% as a result of the pandemic.

Together Mode

Lockdown has been a lonely experience for many. Video calls may never full match a face to face conversation, but Teams’ new Together Mode could be the next best thing. This feature uses AI segmentation technology to allow up to 50 users to share a single background. Available backgrounds include an auditorium, a conference room and a cafe, letting participants create a suitable atmosphere for any type of meeting.

Microsoft has added a whole host of other tweaks and upgrades to the Teams package in 2020. Providing meeting hosts with greater control, the introduction of the “raise hand” feature and even greater channel personalisation, to name a few. Microsoft is relentless when it comes to innovation, so you can expect plenty more Teams enhancements to come.

If you’d like to get started with Teams or want to get more out of your existing subscription, call us today for guidance and support.

Our experts are here to discuss any points raised in this article, or anything else...

Alternatively, call us on 0333 344 2204 

Tom Fuller
Digital Marketing Manager

Recent Bytes

We’ve Been Recognised with Microsoft Certified Partner Gold status!

We’ve Been Recognised with Microsoft Certified Partner Gold status!

Your guide to a successful cloud migration

Your guide to a successful cloud migration

It’s never been easier to introduce Windows Virtual Desktop into your organisation

It’s never been easier to introduce Windows Virtual Desktop into your organisation

Advantages & Disadvantages of the hybrid working model

Advantages & Disadvantages of the hybrid working model

The 5 Top Benefits of Using Microsoft 365

The 5 Top Benefits of Using Microsoft 365

How do hackers commit cyber crime and what can you do about it?

How do hackers commit cyber crime and what can you do about it?

Microsoft Teams now minimises meeting background noise with artificial intelligence

Microsoft Teams now minimises meeting background noise with artificial intelligence

Visions of a post-pandemic hybrid workforce

Visions of a post-pandemic hybrid workforce

Announcement: Our Strategic Merger with AV Specialist Quad Vision

Announcement: Our Strategic Merger with AV Specialist Quad Vision

Five steps for SMBs to deploy Microsoft Teams

Five steps for SMBs to deploy Microsoft Teams

Are you getting the most out of your cloud investment?

Are you getting the most out of your cloud investment?

Do you know how to identify a sophisticated email scam?

Do you know how to identify a sophisticated email scam?

Share this byte

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Blog Post

Making the most of Office 365 Security features

365securitybanner

Blog Post

Welcome to the team: 10 Questions with Ashley

WEBMeetAshley

Security Post

Teams: The Ever Evolving Teamwork Platform

teamsblogbanner
6
Like this post
  • Cybercriminals victimised NHS workers during COVID-19 lockdown
    Previous PostCybercriminals victimised NHS workers during COVID-19 lockdown
  • Next PostThinking about purchasing from Microsoft directly? Here’s why a Cloud Solutions Provider is better
    Cybercriminals victimised NHS workers during COVID-19 lockdown

Related Posts

The 5 Top Benefits of Using Microsoft 365
Cloud Microsoft Teams

The 5 Top Benefits of Using Microsoft 365

Microsoft Teams now minimises meeting background noise with artificial intelligence
Cloud Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams now minimises meeting background noise with artificial intelligence

Five steps for SMBs to deploy Microsoft Teams
Cloud Microsoft Teams

Five steps for SMBs to deploy Microsoft Teams

Using Microsoft Lists to stay on top of packed workloads
Cloud Microsoft Teams

Using Microsoft Lists to stay on top of packed workloads

Unify remote and office working with Microsoft Teams
Cloud Microsoft Teams

Unify remote and office working with Microsoft Teams

Are virtual meetings finally more effective than in-person?
Cloud IT Support Microsoft Teams

Are virtual meetings finally more effective than in-person?

Teams: the ever-evolving teamwork platform
Cloud Microsoft Teams

Teams: the ever-evolving teamwork platform

Build a complete remote working strategy with Microsoft
Cloud IT Support Microsoft Teams

Build a complete remote working strategy with Microsoft

The phone system that follows you anywhere
Cloud IT Support Microsoft Teams

The phone system that follows you anywhere

5 tips for successfully upgrading to Microsoft Teams
Cloud Microsoft Teams

5 tips for successfully upgrading to Microsoft Teams

Leave a Reply (Cancel reply)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*
*

Main-Logo-2.0

Our Services

Our support services are only the start of a larger story. From Security, to voice, infrastructure and cloud our services are in place to cover a wide amount of needs for your organisation.
Lets Talk
Managed IT Support
Learn More
Microsoft Business Voice
Learn More
Managed IT Security
Learn More
Managed Connectivity
Learn More
Managed Cloud
Learn More
Managed IT Infrastructure
Learn More
Sector
  • IT for Business
  • IT for Charities
  • IT for Education
Services
  • IT Support Services
  • IT Security Services
  • IT Cloud Services
  • Managed Connectivity
  • Microsoft 365 Business Voice
  • Managed IT Infrastructure
Our Company
  • About Us
  • The ITSB Byte
  • Contact
Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
goldlogowhite
DorsetChamberWhite-2-e1576766199759
Cyber Essentials internet Safety Certificate Bournemouth
Quad Vision Logo Dark
Visit our Audio Visual Arm
Main-Logo-2.0
  • IT Support Services
  • IT Security Services
  • IT Cloud Services
  • Managed Connectivity
  • Microsoft 365 Business Voice
  • Managed IT Infrastructure
© 2020 IT Support Business Limited | All Rights Reserved
Company Number: 07184583
Copy
For one week only ITSB has gone gold!
Click here to find out why