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
-
- London Sales Manager, Key Clients. Security. Immediate
- London
- N/A
-
London Sales Manager, Key Clients A senior sales leadership role within the cyber security services and technology market, focused on account development and revenue growth across key clients. You will lead a sales team with responsibility for customer retention, increasing share of wallet and maintaining a strong commercial pipeline. The role works closely with technical, delivery and marketing teams, as well as technology partners. Key focus Lead and coach a field based sales team Own forecasting, pipeline quality and revenue delivery Drive renewals and account development Expand customer investment across services and solutions Build relationships with vendors and partners Background Proven experience managing enterprise sales teams Consistent performance against revenue targets Cyber or IT security sales leadership experience Exposure to Palo Alto, Check Point, Microsoft, etc Commercially focused with a structured sales approach A role for a sales leader focused on long term client value and sustainable growth.
-
- Outside IR35 Functional tester - London - Security Cleared
- London
- Outside IR35
-
Outside IR35 Functional tester - London - Security Cleared Willing to undergo DV Clearance 3 days a week onsite. (London) We are looking for a Functional Test Specialist to support a complex technology programme where accuracy and delivery assurance matter. Key Focus Validate application behaviour and run functional test scenarios Identify risk, defects, and delivery issues early Define practical test approaches and environment needs Produce automated checks where appropriate Work closely with technical teams to agree acceptance criteria Report clearly on outcomes, defects, and risks Experience Needed Strong Microsoft stack exposure Experience supporting server or infrastructure migrations Solid functional testing background Comfortable working remotely onsite (London 3 days a week) Linux or container exposure Jira / Wiki Restricted or isolated environments A hands on role for someone who values clarity, ownership, and quality.
-
- GRC Security Consultant - Energy. Security Clearable. Scotland
- Glasgow
- N/A
-
GRC Security Consultant - Utilities. OT. Security Clearable. Scotland Hybrid (UK | Remote) We need a We need a Senior GRC consultant with experience in the utilities sector. Previous experience working within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) industries, specifically within Operational Technology is essential. Security clearance / (clearable) required. Current external consultancy experience preferred but not essential. You will be leading lead audits and advisory services (risk assessment / strategic) against CAF, ISO 27001, and IEC 62443 standards to uplift security. This is a permanent position, looking for someone who wants to make a difference away from a firm with progression and no politics. Apply today to find out more.