As a Microsoft MVP and a long time user and admin on Microsoft Teams Rooms, I’m thrilled to walk you through the latest advancements that are set to elevate your Teams experience. The June 2024 update is brimming with features that promise to enhance collaboration, streamline management, and offer a more immersive meeting experience. Here are the top ten highlights:

• AI-Powered Speaker Recognition in Teams Rooms: All Teams Rooms on Windows now feature speaker recognition technology, ensuring every participant is accurately recognized and can fully leverage Copilot’s intelligent insights.
• Synchronized Multi-Panel Check-In: For conference rooms with multiple panels, check-in and room release are now synchronized across all devices, reflecting the room’s status accurately.
• Bookable Desks with Automatic Booking: Teams now allows on-the-spot desk reservation when connecting to office equipment, with location sharing to enhance office collaboration.
• Digital Signage in Teams Rooms: Coming soon, Teams Rooms on Windows will support digital signage, turning your meeting spaces into dynamic information hubs when not in use.
• Cross-Platform Meetings via SIP Join: Enhanced interoperability with third-party conferencing services like Google Meet, Zoom, and Cisco Webex, among others, is in development for Teams Rooms on Windows.
• Autopilot and Autologin for Teams Rooms on Windows: Deploy and manage Teams Rooms at scale with minimal onsite interaction, now generally available.
• Poly Studio Base Kit G9 Plus: A high-performance video conferencing solution optimized for Microsoft Teams Rooms, featuring HP Mini IP Conferencing PC and Poly TC10 IP touch controllers.
• AVer CAM520 Pro3: A Full HD PTZ camera certified for Teams, with advanced AVer features and versatile output options for superior video conferencing.
• Sennheiser TeamConnect Bars: Combining Sennheiser audio with 4K Ultra HD video, these bars are certified for Teams and offer plug-and-play convenience for hybrid meetings.
• Q-SYS VisionSuite: Certified for Teams, this suite enhances remote meeting visibility with AI-driven presenter tracking and intelligent camera switching.

As we delve deeper into each feature, it’s clear that Microsoft is committed to providing a seamless and integrated experience that caters to the evolving needs of Teams users. Whether it’s through enhanced audio-visual capabilities, streamlined room management, or improved interoperability, these updates are designed to empower users and IT administrators alike.

The introduction of AI-powered speaker recognition across all Teams Rooms devices is a game-changer, ensuring that every voice is heard and attributed correctly, enhancing meeting productivity and accuracy. The synchronization of multi-panel check-ins simplifies room management, providing a more intuitive and efficient way to manage space utilization.

The bookable desks feature is a nod to the flexible work environments many of us are adapting to, allowing for spontaneous desk booking and location sharing to foster better collaboration among colleagues. The upcoming digital signage capability promises to transform idle Teams Rooms into vibrant communication platforms, extending your organization’s reach even when meetings aren’t in session.

The commitment to cross-platform interoperability is particularly noteworthy, as it acknowledges the diverse ecosystem of conferencing services used by organizations today. By enabling SIP join for services like Google Meet and Zoom, Teams Rooms will offer a more inclusive and flexible meeting experience, regardless of the platform.

The ease of deployment and management through Autopilot and Autologin is a testament to Microsoft’s dedication to simplifying IT operations, allowing for the rapid scaling of Teams Rooms without the need for extensive onsite work.

The hardware updates, including the Poly Studio Base Kit G9 Plus and AVer CAM520 Pro3, bring top-of-the-line equipment into the Teams Rooms environment, ensuring that meetings are not only productive but also of the highest quality.

Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Bars and Q-SYS VisionSuite round out the top ten with their focus on delivering a superior audio-visual experience, leveraging the best in technology to make every meeting participant feel present and engaged.

The June 2024 update for Microsoft Teams Devices is a robust package of features and enhancements that solidify Microsoft’s position as a leader in collaborative technology. As we continue to navigate the hybrid work landscape, these updates offer the tools and flexibility needed to create a more connected and efficient workplace.

Stay tuned for more insights and deep dives into each of these features, as we explore how they can be leveraged to transform your Teams Rooms experience. Until then, keep innovating and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Microsoft Teams. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] if you have any questions or require further input.

As a Microsoft MVP, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology in the realm of productivity. The June 2024 updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot are a beacon of innovation, and I’m eager to guide you through the enhancements that are redefining our digital workspace.

Admin and Management Enhancements

The democratization of Copilot across various Microsoft 365 plans marks a significant milestone. This strategic move ensures that organizations of all sizes can harness the efficiency of AI, fostering a culture of productivity and innovation. The integration of Copilot with Microsoft 365 Apps for business, Teams Essentials, and OneDrive for Business is a bold step towards inclusive technology.

Leaders and managers can now leverage Viva Insights to monitor Copilot adoption trends with greater precision. The introduction of trendline views and a dedicated Copilot Adoption PBI template empowers decision-makers to track engagement and formulate strategies to maximize Copilot’s potential within their teams.

The Copilot Deployment Kit, available through Viva Amplify, is a comprehensive resource that simplifies the promotion of Copilot adoption. With ready-to-use communications and campaign materials, advocating for Copilot’s integration into daily workflows has never been easier.

End-User Capabilities

The enhancements for end-users are equally impressive. SharePoint pages can now be effortlessly rewritten with Copilot’s assistance, ensuring content quality and engagement. The integration of Microsoft Designer with Copilot in Word and PowerPoint is a creative leap forward, enabling users to craft visually stunning documents with ease.

The Copilot for Sales plugin in Teams meetings is a revolutionary tool that provides real-time insights and data, enriching customer interactions and driving sales performance. Additionally, the Copilot Academy in Viva Learning has expanded its offerings to include hands-on prompt guidance, further refining user skills in leveraging Copilot’s capabilities.

A More Connected Experience

The expanded data structure support in Copilot for Excel is a standout feature, allowing users to engage with Copilot from any grid area. This enhancement makes data analysis more conversational and accessible, bridging the gap between users and complex data sets.

The ability to reference PDFs, specific emails, and meetings within Copilot for Word is a significant advancement, fostering a cohesive and integrated experience across the Microsoft 365 suite.

My Top 10 improvements

• Expanded availability of Copilot for Microsoft 365: Copilot can now be added to various Microsoft 365 plans, including Apps for business, Teams Essentials, and OneDrive for Business, making it more accessible to a wider range of users.
• Copilot adoption trends with Viva Insights: New trendline views on the Copilot Dashboard’s Adoption and Impact pages offer a six-month retrospective on user engagement and licensing.
• Copilot Adoption Power BI template: A new template in Viva Insights enables a deeper look into Copilot adoption within organizations, featuring dynamic date slicers and trendlines.
• Copilot Deployment Kit in Viva Amplify: This kit includes pre-drafted communications and campaign briefs to drive awareness and adoption of Copilot across Microsoft 365 apps.
• Copilot for Sales plugin in Teams meetings: A new plugin that surfaces data and insights from Copilot for Sales during customer meetings to enhance sellers’ efficiency.
• Hands-on prompt guidance in Copilot Academy in Viva Learning: New exercises from Copilot Lab help learners improve their Copilot skills within Viva Learning.
• Rewrite SharePoint pages with Copilot: Users can quickly rewrite text on SharePoint pages or news posts to ensure high-quality content engagement.
• Microsoft Designer integration with Copilot: AI-generated images or stock photos can be easily added to Word and PowerPoint documents starting in July.
• Transform messages and manage access to meeting artifacts with Copilot in Teams: Users can tailor messages in Teams chats or channels and control access to meeting recordings and transcripts.
• Expanded data structure support in Copilot for Excel: Copilot now works on data ranges resembling tables, allowing users to interact with Copilot from any grid area on a worksheet.

Conclusion

The June 2024 updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot are not merely a collection of new features; they represent a paradigm shift in how we interact with our digital tools. These enhancements are shaping a future where technology is not just a tool, but a collaborative partner in achieving our goals.

As we navigate this new era of productivity, let’s embrace the opportunities that Microsoft 365 Copilot presents. Together, we can redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in our work and beyond. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions or require further information!

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A summary of the Train the Trainer workshop by Jason Wynn, Microsoft MVP

Have you ever wished you had a smart assistant who could help you with various tasks, such as writing documents, creating presentations, sending emails, and summarising meetings? A tool that could understand your goal and deliver the best results based on your data and context? A solution that could boost your productivity, creativity, and efficiency?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in Copilot for Microsoft 365, a new AI-powered feature that became available for all Microsoft 365 users on 1 November. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI-powered tool that can help you with various tasks, such as writing documents, creating presentations, sending emails, and summarising meetings. All you need to do is click a button and let Copilot do the work for you.

But how can you learn to use Copilot effectively? How can you get ready for the era of AI? How can you grow your business by delivering AI solutions to your customers? These are some of the questions that Jason Wynn, a Microsoft MVP and a trainer for Microsoft Indirect Partners, addressed in his Train the Trainer workshop on Copilot for Microsoft 365. In this blog post, we will summarise the main points of his presentation and showcase the benefits of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and how to get started with it.

What is Copilot for Microsoft 365 and how does it work?

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a feature that integrates with Microsoft 365 apps, such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Loop, and Whiteboard. It uses AI to assist you with various tasks, such as creating, summarising, editing, or transforming. You can interact with Copilot by using prompts, which are simple and clear instructions that you type or speak to Copilot. For example, you can type “summarise this document” or “create a presentation based on this outline” and Copilot will generate a response based on your data and context.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 uses the Microsoft Graph, which is a platform that connects your data and insights across Microsoft 365. Copilot can access your documents, emails, calendars, chats, meetings, and contacts, and use them to provide accurate, relevant, and contextual responses. Copilot also uses your working context, such as the meeting you are in, the email exchanges you had on a topic, or the chat conversations you had last week, to tailor its responses to your needs and preferences.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is not a static feature. It will evolve and adapt as Copilot and AI become smarter and more advanced. Copilot for Microsoft 365 will provide you with the latest information and resources to help you keep up with the changes and opportunities. Copilot for Microsoft 365 will also reflect your needs and preferences. You can customise your Copilot experience by choosing the prompts you like, the topics you are interested in, and the level of difficulty you want. You can also give feedback and suggestions to improve Copilot and Copilot for Microsoft 365.

What are the benefits of Copilot for Microsoft 365?

Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you work smarter and faster in various ways. Here are some of the benefits of using Copilot for Microsoft 365:

• Save time and effort. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you complete tasks that would otherwise take you hours or days, such as writing a report, creating a slide deck, or summarising a meeting. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you with tasks that you might find tedious or boring, such as formatting, proofreading, or converting data. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can free up your time and focus on more important or creative aspects of your work.
• Enhance your skills and knowledge. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you learn new skills and improve your existing ones, such as writing, presenting, or communicating. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you discover new information and insights, such as data trends, best practices, or customer feedback. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can expand your horizons and grow your expertise.
• Boost your creativity and innovation. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you generate new ideas and solutions, such as product features, marketing campaigns, or business strategies. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you explore different perspectives and scenarios, such as customer needs, competitor actions, or market opportunities. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can unleash your potential and drive innovation.
• Collaborate and communicate better. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you work better with others, such as colleagues, customers, or partners. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you create and share content that is clear, concise, and engaging, such as emails, messages, or documents. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you access and use content that is relevant, timely, and contextual, such as meeting notes, chat conversations, or feedback. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can enhance your collaboration and communication.

How to get started with Copilot for Microsoft 365?

If you are interested in using Copilot for Microsoft 365, here are some steps you can take to get started:

• Check the requirements. To use Copilot for Microsoft 365, you need to have a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, or a Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard or Premium licence. You also need to have the Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Teams. You can check the full list of requirements and learn more about Copilot for Microsoft 365 at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot-requirements.
• Enable Copilot for Microsoft 365. If you are an admin, you can enable Copilot for Microsoft 365 for your organisation by using the onboarding wizard in the Microsoft 365 admin centre. You can also assign licences to end users and share email announcements to drive awareness and adoption. If you are an end user, you can check with your admin if Copilot for Microsoft 365 is enabled for you and your organisation.
• Try out Copilot for Microsoft 365. Once Copilot for Microsoft 365 is enabled, you can start using it in any Microsoft app, such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Teams. You can look for the Copilot button and click on it to see the Copilot Lab option. Copilot Lab is a collection of prompts that you can use to explore and experiment with Copilot. You can also create your own prompts and see how Copilot responds. You can also learn from other users and experts who have created and shared their own prompts.
• Learn more about Copilot for Microsoft 365, join the Copilot community at https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/copilot-for-microsoft-365/ct-p/Microsoft365Copilot to meet others on the Copilot journey and ask questions and get answers.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a powerful tool that can help you work smarter and faster. It can help you save time, enhance your skills, boost your creativity, and collaborate better. It can also help you get ready for the era of AI and grow your business by delivering AI solutions to your customers. If you want to learn more about Copilot for Microsoft 365 and how to get started with it, you can contact us at [email protected] to schedule a demo or a consultation.