Microsoft Teams to add smartphone walkie-talkie feature

Workers will soon be able to turn their smartphones into a walkie-talkie using Microsoft Teams. The feature is one of several Microsoft unveiled this week targeting so-called frontline workers, such as retail associates, nurses, housekeepers and plumbers.
The walkie-talkie feature will let groups of employees speak to each other by pressing a button in the Teams mobile app. The audio will travel over Wi-Fi and cellular networks, meaning users will be able to communicate with colleagues anywhere in the world. The feature will be available in private preview in the first half of 2020.
Many retailers, hospitals, airlines and hotels still rely on physical walkie-talkie devices. In recent years, startups like Orion Labs and legacy vendors like Motorola Solutions have begun selling smartphone walkie-talkie apps. Those mobile apps come with benefits like location tracking and integration with other business technologies.
Microsoft's smartphone walkie-talkie feature is not innovative. But if it works well, the capability could help Microsoft boost adoption of Teams among workers who otherwise wouldn't use the app. Microsoft has made targeting frontline workers a priority since late 2018.
In addition to the walkie-talkie app, Microsoft said Thursday it would add to Teams a task feature for creating and assigning small projects to employees. The system will give businesses a dashboard to track tasks in real time across multiple departments or store locations. It will launch in the first half of 2020.
Microsoft will also expand the scheduling capabilities of Teams by integrating the app with popular workforce management platforms by Kronos and JDA Software. Those integrations will let businesses keep existing scheduling software in place while giving workers the ability to swap shifts and request time off through Teams.
Microsoft is not the only collaboration vendor targeting frontline workers, said Rob Arnold, analyst at Frost & Sullivan. But Microsoft has a leg up on competitors because it can offer businesses so many complementary cloud services. Those include the customer relationship manager Dynamics 365 as well as e-commerce and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms within Microsoft Azure.
New identity and access features for Microsoft Teams
Additional features targeting frontline workers include SMS sign-in, off-shift access controls and shared-device sign-out. These features will roll out between now and the middle of the year.
Workers will soon be able to sign into their Azure Active Directory account (which controls access to Teams) using only a mobile phone number. IT admins will decide which groups of employees use the method.
IT admins will also be able to prevent frontline workers from accessing Teams when they are not on the clock. Temporarily blocking access will help businesses comply with labor laws.
Finally, for Android, Microsoft will add an "end shift" button to shared mobile devices and tablets that will clear app logins and browser sessions. Purging that data will prevent employees from accessing information they shouldn't.
Collectively, the latest features show that Microsoft wants to take Teams beyond the 30% of corporate employees who work in offices, Irwin Lazar, an analyst at Nemertes Research, said. "I think Microsoft is aggressively trying to expand the reach of Teams
source searchunifiedcommunications
Industry: Unified Communications

Latest Jobs
-
- CyberArk Architect
- London
- Upto £110,000 plus bonus and benefits
-
Are you ready to lead from the front and drive innovation in the Identity & Access Management (IAM) space? We’re looking for a seasoned CyberArk Architect who has CDE-CPC ideally or experience with privilege Cloud, someone who can lead with vision, execute with precision, and inspire teams to deliver excellence. As a key leader in our organisation, you’ll bring your strong business acumen and a technology-focused, innovative mindset to the table. You’ll be driving strategic initiatives, shaping transformation programs, and empowering teams to think big and deliver even bigger. Acting as a subject matter expert in CyberArk Leading strategic transformations in: Identity Governance Privileged Access Management (PAM) Access Management Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) Building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships within the team Communicating clearly and confidently — both written and verbal — to deliver updates, raise potential issues, and share insights If you are interested in the above position we are looking for people with: deep expertise and a successful track record in IAM strategy, delivery, or assurance with CyberArk Hold relevant certifications such as CDE in Privileged Cloud or Guardian Have experience in a client-facing role (preferred, but not essential) Thrive in a hybrid working environment and are available to work from our or client London office three days a week Lead with clarity, communicate with impact, and adapt quickly to changing priorities
-
- OUTSIDE IR35 Splunk Engineer- SC Cleared.
- United Kingdom
- N/A
-
OUTSIDE IR35 Splunk Engineer- SC Cleared. You will be responsible for consolidating Splunk ES data from multiple feeds into a single pane of glass to enhance visibility and streamline security operations.
-
- Identity & Access Management Architect
- Edinburgh
- Upto £95000 plus bonus and benefits
-
Location: Edinburgh | Hybrid Working | Permanent Are you an experienced Identity & Access Management professional with a passion for designing and implementing cutting-edge security solutions? We are looking for a Lead Architect, where you’ll play a key role in helping clients enhance their IAM capabilities, protect critical data, and navigate complex security challenges. About the Role As a Lead Architect, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering IAM strategies, designing robust security solutions, and driving long-term digital transformation. You’ll leverage your expertise to provide strategic guidance on areas such as: Identity Governance & Administration (IGA) Privileged Access Management (PAM) Access Management (AM) Entitlement Management Directories & Authentication Solutions You will have the opportunity to work with innovative technologies and frameworks, ensuring that businesses can securely manage access to critical assets while enabling growth. What You’ll Be Doing Providing subject matter expertise in IAM and leading transformation projects for clients Developing IAM roadmaps, operating models, and governance frameworks Driving innovation by integrating IAM capabilities into wider digital transformation strategies Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders Designing and implementing scalable IAM solutions to meet business needs What We’re Looking For Proven experience in IAM strategy, solution architecture, or assurance Strong leadership skills with experience guiding technical teams Ability to work in a client-facing role, delivering clear communication and insights A technology-focused, innovative mindset with strong business acumen Willingness to work from our Edinburgh office 2-3 days per week
-
- Security Architect - Cloud - Consultancy London
- London
- N/A
-
Security Architect with a focus into Cloud (AWS, Azure or Google Cloud Platform) needed. You must have client facing consultancy experience. This mean you must have experience working with clients helping them to meet their security design needs. That could include working with existing internal teams to understand, review and mitigate / uplift existing Cloud Security designs, or perhaps helping clients set out / understand their current needs and deliver their cloud security strategy. (Or anything in between) Technical knowledge is of course essential but working with clients to understand and solve their Cloud Security design challenges is vital. You must obviously have a current history working as a cloud security architect. You will need to be commutable to London. Whilst a hybrid role the expectation is 3 days a week in the office / meeting clients. International relocation or Visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role. Apply on this page and arrange a call here https://calendly.com/d/crpz-m7j-wyx