Microsoft Teams is the hub for teamwork in Microsoft 365, enabling users to chat, meet, call, and collaborate in one place. Teams has been evolving rapidly since its launch in 2017, adding new features and capabilities to enhance the user experience and productivity. However, some customers are still using the original version of Teams, also known as Classic Teams, which has a different user interface and functionality than the current version of Teams, also known as new Teams.
Microsoft has announced that Classic Teams users will be automatically updated to new Teams after March 31, 2024. This means that Classic Teams will no longer be available or supported after that date, and all users will have to use new Teams to access their chats, meetings, calls, and files. This transition is part of Microsoft’s vision to provide a unified and modern experience for teamwork across devices and platforms.
In this blog post, we will explain what this change means for organizations, how to prepare for the transition, and what benefits it will bring to your organization.
What is the difference between Classic Teams and new Teams?
Classic Teams is the original version of Teams that was released in 2017. It has a different user interface and functionality than new Teams, which is the current version of Teams that has been updated with new features and capabilities over time.
New Teams is a complete overhaul of the Teams app that offers better performance and reliability, as well as more security and IT control. Microsoft said that new Teams is twice as fast and uses half as much memory as Classic Teams. New Teams also has many new features and improvements that are only available on the new version, such as breakout rooms, 7×7 video view, third-party apps, contextual search, PSTN calling, and call queues. Additionally, new Teams enables organizations to connect and collaborate with multiple tenants, which can enhance cross-organizational workflows.
New Teams also lets the Copilot feature work in Teams. Copilot in Teams can help you get summaries of meetings, action items, and key points without having to read through long chats.
You can learn more about the differences between Classic Teams and new Teams here:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/new-teams-whats-changing
How to prepare for the transition from Classic Teams to new Teams?
If you are a CIO or an IT manager in an organization that is still using Classic Teams, you need to start planning for the transition to new Teams as soon as possible. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for the change and ensure a smooth and successful migration:
- Identify the users and devices that are still using Classic Teams in your organization
You can use the Teams client usage report in the Microsoft 365 admin center to see how many users and devices are using Classic Teams and new Teams in your organization. You can also use the Teams app version report to see the specific app versions that your users are using.
- Communicate the change to your users and stakeholders
You need to inform your users and stakeholders about the upcoming transition from Classic Teams to new Teams, why it is happening, what it means for them, and what they need to do to prepare for it. You can use the communication templates and resources provided by Microsoft to help you craft your messages and deliver them through various channels.
- Train your users and provide support
You need to educate your users on how to use new Teams and how to take advantage of its features and capabilities. You can use the training materials and guides provided by Microsoft to help your users learn and adopt new Teams. You can also provide support and feedback channels for your users to address any issues or questions they may have during the transition.
- Monitor and manage the transition
You need to track the progress and status of the transition from Classic Teams to new Teams in your organization. You can use the Teams client usage report in the Microsoft 365 admin center to see the percentage of users and devices that have been updated to new Teams, the number of issues and feedback reported, and the overall health and performance of Teams in your organization.
You can find more information and guidance on how to prepare for the transition from Classic Teams to new Teams here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/new-teams-automatic-upgrade-announced
What are the benefits of using new Teams?
By transitioning from Classic Teams to new Teams, you will be able to enjoy the following benefits for your organization:
A unified and modern user experience
New Teams provides a consistent and intuitive user experience across devices and platforms, making it easier and faster for users to access and use the features and functions they need for teamwork.
Here are some of the key improvements that Teams has achieved in its latest update:
- Reduce the time it takes to install the app by up to 3X
- Cut the time it takes to launch the app by up to 2X
- Join meetings with less delay, up to 2X faster
- Switch between chats and channels with more ease, up to 1.7X faster
- Use less memory resources, up to 50% less
- Save more disk space, up to 70% less
A richer and more productive collaboration
New Teams enables users to collaborate more effectively and efficiently with their colleagues and partners. New Teams allows you to communicate and collaborate with users from different accounts and organizations without any hassle. You can join or host calls and meetings with anyone, even if they are not in your current account. You can also access multiple accounts simultaneously and switch between them easily. You will never miss an important message or update from any of your accounts, as you will receive real-time notifications regardless of which one you are using at the moment.
A more scalable and adaptable platform
New Teams allows you to customize and extend your teamwork experience with a variety of apps and integrations that suit your business needs and workflows, using the Microsoft 365 platform and the Teams app store.
Simplified IT Management
Microsoft wanted to give a smooth management experience that makes it easy to distribute the Teams desktop app on Windows devices and avoids the hassle of user installation. You can now use application management tools like Microsoft Intune to make app deployment and updates simple.
Secured Business Data
Microsoft is committed to helping you avoid, identify, and counter cyberattacks by developing innovative solutions. New Teams has improved its security by using Trusted Types and enforcing a stricter Content Security Policy. These measures help prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks for users of the updated Teams app. Moreover, the MSIX packaging format guarantees that Teams benefits from Windows security features, and that you always have the most recent app version with security updates and bug fixes.
You can find more information and examples on how new Teams can benefit your organization here: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams-blog/introducing-the-new-microsoft-teams-now-in-preview/ba-p/3774406
Conclusion
The transition from Classic Teams to new Teams is a significant and positive change that will enable your organization to leverage the full potential of Teams as the hub for teamwork in Microsoft 365. By preparing for the transition and following the best practices and guidance provided by Microsoft, you can ensure a smooth and successful migration that will benefit your users and your business. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us. The Softlanding team will be happy to support you in your journey to new Teams.