Microsoft Teams Exits Preview, Launches Worldwide for Businesses
Microsoft has officially launched Microsoft Teams, its Slack compe*****, out of preview mode. The collaboration platform is now generally available in 181 countries and supports 19 languages, marking a major milestone in enterprise communication tools.
Key Features of Microsoft Teams
Designed exclusively for Office 365 business customers, Microsoft Teams offers:
- Multi-platform apps for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and web
- Team collaboration hubs with channels, private messaging, and file sharing
- Skype integration for video/audio calls and meetings
- Seamless Office 365 workflow with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Power BI, and Planner
- Engagement tools including emoji, GIFs (via Giphy), and memes
Rapid Growth and Feature Enhancements
Since its November 2016 preview launch:
- 50,000+ organizations adopted Microsoft Teams
- 100+ new features were added, including:
- Scheduled voice/video meetings
- Mobile 1:1 calling (with Android video support)
- Channel email integration
- Public team discovery
- Advanced security with Information Protection tools
- Microsoft Intune mobile management
- Accessibility improvements (screen readers, high contrast mode)
Administration and Security
IT administrators can easily:
- Enable/disable Teams via Office 365 admin center
- Configure user profiles and security settings
- Manage content permissions (GIFs, memes, stickers)
- Control third-party integrations
The platform meets strict compliance standards including:
- ISO 27001⁄27018
- SOC 1/SOC 2
- HIPAA
- EU Model Clauses
Security features include:
- Two-factor authentication
- Active Directory single sign-on
- End-to-end encryption (data in transit and at rest)
- SharePoint/OneNote encrypted file storage
The Competitive Landscape
With 85 million Office 365 active users gaining access to Teams, Microsoft poses a significant challenge to Slack (5 million daily users). Key differentiators include:
- Deep Office 365 integration (versus Slack’s third-party approach)
- 150+ integrations (growing rapidly)
- Enterprise-grade security baked into the platform
What’s Coming Next
Microsoft’s roadmap includes:
- Guest access capabilities
- Deeper Outlook integration
- Expanded developer platform (June 2017)
- iOS/Windows Phone calling features
For organizations already using Office 365, Microsoft Teams offers a powerful, secure alternative to standalone collaboration tools, with the advantage of native integration across Microsoft’s productivity suite.
📚 Featured Products & Recommendations
Discover our carefully selected products that complement this article’s topics:
🛍️ Featured Product 1: OLSEN BLACK LACE – SM REBOOTED
Image: Premium product showcase
Premium quality olsen black lace – sm rebooted designed for professional use with excellent performance and reliability.
Key Features:
- Premium materials and construction
- User-friendly design and operation
- Reliable performance in various conditions
- Comprehensive quality assurance
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
🛍️ Featured Product 2: Star Trek: The Next Generation Poker Cats Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Image: Premium product showcase
Professional-grade star trek: the next generation poker cats gallery wrapped canvas combining innovation, quality, and user-friendly design.
Key Features:
- Cutting-edge technology integration
- Streamlined workflow optimization
- Heavy-duty construction for reliability
- Expert technical support available
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
🛍️ Featured Product 3: Hestan GMBR36NGYW Hestan 36″ Natural Gas Built In Grill Gmbr36 – Yellow (Custom Color: Sol)
Image: Premium product showcase
Advanced hestan gmbr36ngyw hestan 36″ natural gas built in grill gmbr36 – yellow (custom color: sol) engineered for excellence with proven reliability and outstanding results.
Key Features:
- Cutting-edge technology integration
- Streamlined workflow optimization
- Heavy-duty construction for reliability
- Expert technical support available
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
💡 Need Help Choosing? Contact our expert team for personalized product recommendations!