{"id":4226,"date":"2020-06-10T12:07:01","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T19:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.poly.com\/?p=4226"},"modified":"2020-06-10T12:07:01","modified_gmt":"2020-06-10T19:07:01","slug":"end-user-experiences-interoperability-microsoft-teams-device-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.poly.com\/end-user-experiences-interoperability-microsoft-teams-device-options\/","title":{"rendered":"End-user Experiences, Interoperability, and Microsoft Teams Device Options \u2014 Here\u2019s What to Expect"},"content":{"rendered":"

PART 4 OF A 5-PART SERIES<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In part two of this series<\/a><\/span>, my colleague Rodolfo Castro covered key topics for a basic network review\u00a0 and provided general best practices to ensure that your company\u2019s network is ready for Microsoft Teams.\u00a0 Assessing your network is essential for a successful Teams deployment and overall positive end-user experience. \u00a0Then, we announced Poly\u2019s four Professional Services<\/a><\/span> to help our customers on their transformational journey to Microsoft Teams.<\/p>\n

In this blog, I\u2019ll focus on what to expect around the end-user experiences in communication and collaboration, interoperability with other users and devices, and native Poly Microsoft Teams device options.<\/p>\n

End-User Experiences<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When I talk about end-user experiences with Microsoft Teams it typically falls into two categories: communication and collaboration.\u00a0 Both categories start with the Microsoft Teams desktop or web client (one stop shop) and continues with end-user devices (more on that later).<\/p>\n

Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n

For communication features, we have instant messaging, internal or external audio calls, and joining and scheduling video meetings which should be familiar for most of you.\u00a0 Instant messaging or chat takes on new capabilities like threaded conversations, the ability to like and save messages, team member mentions, and my favorite \u00ad\u2013 emojis and GIFs for some added flare to your messages.<\/p>\n

Collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n

For collaboration, it\u2019s all about the new concept of teams, channels, tabs, file sharing, and quick access to Office 365 applications like Outlook, SharePoint, and Planner to name a few.\u00a0 Teams, channels, tabs\u2026 oh my! \u00a0To simply put it, \u2018teams\u2019 within the Teams app are a collection or group of people, content, and tools for a project or business purpose. Meanwhile, \u2018channels\u2019 are dedicated sub-sections for specific tasks or topics within the team.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a nice illustrative representation of teams and channels:<\/p>\n

\"overview-of-teams-and-channels-Poly<\/p>\n

Source: \u201cOverview of teams and channels in Microsoft Teams<\/a><\/span>\u201d<\/h5>\n

Interoperability: How do I connect to Microsoft Teams?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A few of the questions I\u2019m often asked with Microsoft Teams deployments are around video interoperability sound something like this:<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I connect my existing video conference systems to Microsoft Teams meetings?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do external video conference participants connect to my Microsoft Teams meeting?\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As your organization plans or deploys Microsoft Teams it is important to document and validate existing or future workflows.<\/p>\n

The Solution:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Poly\u2019s RealConnect<\/a><\/span> video interop solves the interoperability workflow by enabling users to connect from personal clients, Microsoft Teams Rooms, as well as traditional video conferencing systems to join Microsoft Teams meetings.\u00a0 Poly\u2019s RealConnect is available as a Microsoft Azure-hosted cloud video interoperability service or as an add-on feature of on-premise Poly collaboration infrastructure.<\/p>\n

For more information check out the RealConnect data sheet<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additionally, you can connect your organization to Microsoft Teams today at no charge with Poly RealConnect Service for Teams via Poly endpoints \u00ad\u2013 new and existing.\u00a0 If you own a qualifying Poly Eligible Endpoint or purchase one before June\u00a030,\u00a02020,\u00a0you\u2019ll receive our RealConnect Service for Microsoft Teams video interop service\u00a0at no charge. More information on this offer is available here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Microsoft Teams Device Options<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Earlier, I mentioned devices as part of the Microsoft Teams end-user experience and then I talked about the interoperability of existing video conference systems to Microsoft Teams meetings. But what about Microsoft Teams certified devices?<\/p>\n

Poly has a solution!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Poly is a certified Microsoft partner with Microsoft Teams device solutions<\/a><\/span> for Teams rooms, video conferencing, desktop phones, speakerphones, headsets, and professional services.<\/p>\n

A certified Microsoft Teams device ensures that your users will experience high quality audio calls and meeting experiences.\u00a0 Some of the benefits include:<\/p>\n