Of all the available Cloud based collaboration and communication tools, Microsoft Teams in Office 365 is the best for all businesses using a remote or hybrid office strategy.

When Microsoft Teams is the go-to hybrid and remote office communications tool, team members don’t have to feel as though they are far apart.

Since the programme is designed to be really easy to use, and comes complete with an intuitive interface, users can enjoy instant messaging, video calls, and they can also set up virtual meetings, making those all-important face to face catch ups a whole lot easier to handle.

Aside from the tool’s ability to host meetings and to keep the team in touch with one another, Microsoft Teams is also easily integrated with the other Office apps.

Microsoft Teams works seamlessly with Word, Excel and SharePoint, just to name a few of the popular apps, and it allows for uncomplicated file access and file sharing, which goes a long way towards improving company productivity.

And since Microsoft Teams can be accessed from a desktop, laptop, or a mobile device, it is perfect for employees on the go.

The Perfect Internal Communications Tool

One of the most neglected aspects of business is internal communications.

And yet this is one of the most important parts of a business, because it is what ensures that everyone knows what is going on.

While some companies might rely on old school email correspondence to keep staff in the loop, such technology doesn’t always work as well as it should. Instead, it can end up clogging up inboxes, causing staff to miss the messages, and there is also no logical sequence to the replies, as colleagues will answer at different times.

Teams, on the other hand, ensures that everybody gets the message at the same time and that they also all see the replies at the same time. This way, no one is left out of the conversation.

The Best Practices for Effective Collaboration in Microsoft Teams

Although Microsoft Teams is a fairly uncomplicated, straight forward programme (especially for those already familiar with Office 365), there are some best practices that you can follow to make the most of your Teams experience.

Channel Setup

The success of your Teams collaboration and communication essentially starts with how you get setup and how your channels are structured. For example, you should organise staff channels according to the projects they are involved with, the departments they work in and you should create channels on various topics. This way, team members will get the information they need and they can save time by only reading what they need to know.

Notifications and Status

Microsoft Teams allows users to customise notifications and to set their status. Setting up custom alerts according to importance ensures that the team can prioritise and organise their day. They can also set their status to Available, Busy, or Do Not Disturb.

Participation and Engagement

The only way collaboration can work properly is if those using the Teams platform are engaged. The best way to do this is to encourage the team members to not be shy about contributing their ideas, and giving feedback. They can also be encouraged to use the Teams mentions to get the attention of specific members.

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Make remote working a breeze when you partner up with a leading IT company who can handle your remote IT needs. At 24/7 IT Services we offer our clients a wide range of services, including Managed IT Support and IT Security Solutions, and we are experts in all things Microsoft 365.

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As a member of the Microsoft Office family, OneNote is convenient because it is right there and always ready to use. It allows you to jot down your ideas, whether they are ideas at work or ideas at home, and it allows you to do so in the style that best suits you. With OneNote, you are able to type, draw or physically write things down while you can also taking clippings from the web and then save them with your other notes.

Beyond just being able to write down ideas and save things from the web, OneNote gives you the option to collaborate, as the app syncs via the web with anyone who shares access.

OneNote is basically the last digital note book that you will ever need to have. It is versatile, it comes with many options for customising and you can even use it to full effect if you are disconnected from the web. It also works on any kind of platform.

While those who have been using OneNote for a couple of years have got a good grasp of the basics, those who are new to the app and who want to make sure that they make the most of it can find that the process of getting comfortable with the app can be greatly improved with a couple of tips.

How to use OneNote

OneNote is the perfect application for organising and productivity. The app could be used on the go when it is on your phone, or it can be used when sitting at your desk. If you have a Microsoft 365 account, the app should already be on your desktop or in your start menu, ready to use. If you are working with your phone, you will need to either connect your account to access it, or you will need to download it from the relevant store.

The app allows you to do various things, and so when you are getting started out, you first need to have some understanding about what you need the app for.

To Create a Quick Note

This is possibly one of the things the app is most used for, and it is always convenient to whip your phone out of your pocket and quickly write down thoughts on a quick note before you lose track of your thoughts. With OneNote on your phone, you can do just that by opening the app and selecting the new quick note option.

To Create a Notebook

If you want to put all of your notes together in one place, you can create a notebook. With this option, you will need to go over to the Show Notebooks Button and then click on the +Notebook button. After you have given the Notebook a name, you can start creating.

Access your Notebook

Not only can you create quick and easy Notebooks for your own use, but you can also share your Notebooks with others. To access the Notebooks that you have been given access to, you can click on the Show Notebooks Button again, and then go to the More Notebooks option. Here you will be able to see and select the Notebook you want to open.

OneNote is also pretty fantastic when it comes to creating lists. This app also allows you to import Excel sheets, which can make creating lists rather easy.

If you need an IT team to assist you with your Microsoft 365 account setup or to give you an introduction to some of its uses, you can contact 24/7 IT Services. We offer a variety of services which include Business Continuity and Cloud Computing.

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Microsoft has announced that its Office 365 products and its Microsoft 365 Services are set for a price increase in early 2022. This price increase will affect both commercial and business users of the software, while no pricing changes are expected for its education or consumer packages.

At this point, exactly how the price increase will look for UK customers is not 100% certain, but what we do know is that this is how the prices will look for US users, and this more or less gives us an idea about what to expect:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic (from $5 to $6 per user)
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium (from $20 to $22)
• Office 365 E1 (from $8 to $10)
• Office 365 E3 (from $20 to $23)
• Office 365 E5 (from $35 to $38)
• Microsoft 365 E3 (from $32 to $36)

Although there is never a good time for prices to go up, the company, which launched Office 365 back in 2011 and has been consistent in its maintenance and development ever since, decided that 2022 would be the year that the first substantial price increase would be introduced.

Whispers in the industry say that the price increase is due to global inflation, but all Microsoft has to say about the increase is that it is to reflect the value, through developments and product innovation, that clients have been provided with over the last decade.

Breakdown of Contract Options

From March, Microsoft will be encouraging clients to sign up for a 1- or 3-year contract, but there will continue to be a month to month option, which remains as popular as ever.  

Microsoft breaks down the contract options as follows:

Contract Option Number 1 – Ideal for Small and Medium Businesses

The first option is to go the per month route. With a monthly contract, you will have more flexibility in terms of being able to scale up or scale down your package and your services, based on your needs. Because of the flexibility and since clients pay on a month to month basis, this option does give them more control over their business budgets. This flexibility and control come at a cost as month to month pricing will be around 20% higher than the annual offer.

Contact Option Number 2 – Ideal for Medium Businesses

The next option is to make a yearly commitment. This kind of contract, though not the most flexible, does allow you to avoid the further price increases. Clients opting for the annual contract will be able to either pay for the year upfront or they can pay on a monthly basis. Regardless of their payment option, the price will remain the same.

Contract Option Number 3 – Ideal for Large Businesses and Corporations

Finally there is the three year commitment. This option is expected to be the most affordable option, ideal for those bigger companies who need the Office software and Microsoft services and are looking for a fuss free way to get the admin, i.e. the payments, out of the way, while also saving money, especially since the bigger companies tend to have more licenses.  

There are a variety of ways that customers will be able to mix and match their packages, in order to get the maximum amount of value for their money.

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In the coming months, before the increase comes in, we will be getting into contact with all of our clients to discuss how these increases will affect them, and what the best steps to take will be. We will still be allowing our clients to pay for their Microsoft 365 subscription on a monthly basis, to continue to help our clients to be more flexible with their finances.

Should you have any concerns or questions about what this price increase will mean to you, you can give us a call or read the official Microsoft Press Statement.

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