Welcome to the latest round-up of Microsoft 365 updates for April! In this article, we’ll cover all the significant enhancements and new features rolled out this month. Whether you’re a Microsoft admin or an everyday user, these updates aim to improve efficiency and user experience across various applications. Let’s dive in and see what Microsoft has in store for us!
Microsoft Teams Enhancements
This month, Microsoft Teams has introduced several useful features aimed at enhancing collaboration and user experience:
Quick Channel Creation
Users can now easily add channels to existing teams without the hassle of navigating through multiple screens. This streamlined process is expected to roll out by mid-May and be completed by late May, making it easier for teams to organize their discussions.
Slide Control for Presenters
Presenters in Teams meetings will soon have the ability to share slide control with other participants. This feature, which fosters collaboration, is expected to be available by mid-June and finalized by late June.
Cloud Capsule Updates
Microsoft has made significant updates to Cloud Capsule, enabling users to conduct automated security assessments of their Microsoft tenants. By simply signing in, users can benchmark their secure scores against over 100 data points in under 90 seconds. This feature is particularly beneficial for organizations in Australia and New Zealand due to the new mapping for the Essential 8 compliance framework.
Customizable Channel Names
In a nod to user flexibility, Teams will allow users to name the first channel of a team anything they choose, including the default “General.” This update is expected to be implemented by late May.
Screen Sharing Warnings
To enhance user privacy, Teams Premium will soon notify users if they are about to share sensitive information on their screens. This feature is set to be ready by late July.
Town Hall Event Previews
For town hall events, presenters will now be able to preview what attendees will see, giving them the opportunity to correct any mistakes before going live. This feature is expected to be implemented by late June, along with ultra-low latency translation for real-time communication during events.
Google Calendar Syncing
Teams will also introduce bi-directional calendar syncing between Google Workspace and Teams, allowing for a seamless integration of schedules. This feature is expected to be complete by late May.
Outlook Improvements
Moving on to Outlook, there are some noteworthy updates that aim to enhance user experience:
Shared Mailbox Visibility
Microsoft is reverting to the classic Outlook experience for shared mailboxes, where they will be prominently displayed rather than hidden under the “shared with me” section. This change is expected to roll out by late July.
Shared with Me Settings Page
A new settings page will be introduced in Outlook to help users see all files, folders, or mailboxes shared with them in one convenient location. This feature is expected by early August.
Microsoft 365 Apps Enhancements
Several updates are coming to Microsoft 365 applications aimed at improving functionality and efficiency:
Office Startup Boost
A new feature called Office Startup Boost will help Office apps load faster, enhancing user experience. This update is expected to be rolled out by late May.
E-Signature Integration
Microsoft is extending its native e-signature capabilities from SharePoint into Word documents, allowing users to get documents signed without converting them to PDFs. This feature is anticipated to be available by early July.
Microsoft 365 Admin Center Updates
In the Microsoft 365 Admin section, there are important updates related to security and compliance:
Defender for Office 365 Enhancements
The Defender for Office 365 will provide deeper reporting on malicious emails detected within the security admin center, allowing users to see the intent behind these emails. This feature is expected to be available by late May.
AI Investigation Tools
A new AI investigation tool will help organizations identify sensitive content being served to their users, falling under a new pay-as-you-go pricing model. This feature is anticipated to be rolled out by late June.
Co-Pilot Features
Finally, several enhancements related to the Co-Pilot feature will empower users across various applications:
AI Adoption Score
Admins will soon have access to an AI adoption score, which provides insights into the return on investment for their Co-Pilot licenses. This feature is expected to be available by late April.
Call Summaries and Email Modifications
Users will be able to summarize calls before transferring to another individual, and they can also modify emails in Outlook using AI-generated suggestions. These features are expected to be completed by late May and late June, respectively.
PowerPoint Enhancements
PowerPoint users can look forward to AI summarizing entire slide decks and turning highlighted text into bulleted lists. These updates are expected to be rolled out by late May.
Conclusion
April has brought a wealth of exciting updates to Microsoft 365, enhancing collaboration, security, and overall user experience across the platform. From Teams to Outlook and beyond, these changes are designed to help users work more efficiently and effectively. Stay tuned for more updates next month!
Credit: T-Minus365
