Microsoft Teams Insider

Tom Arbuthnot discusses Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption with Karoliina Kettukari, Head of Modern Work at OP Financial Group in Finland.OP Financial Group has licensed approximately half their workforce for M365 Copilot, with strong support from senior management and eager employee adoption. The organisation also utilises Copilot Chat for an additional 50% of their licensed user base, particularly for roles working primarily in customer systems rather than M365 applications.Meeting summaries and note-taking represent the primary use case, delivering immediate time savingsOrganisation uses a tiered approach with basic training for general users and advanced documentation for power usersTeams-based sharing of use cases within departments proves more effective than organisation-wide librariesAgent development shows promise but faces technical barriers requiring Copilot Studio expertiseRegulatory compliance creates additional approval processes for new AI features in financial servicesSupport delivered through Teams channels and Viva Engage communities rather than traditional training methodsThe transition from personal productivity use cases to team-based and process automation represents the next phase of their adoption journey.Thanks to Neat, this episode's sponsor, for their continued support.

Bo Pintea, a visionary at Huddly, previously shaped communication tech at Microsoft. He delves into the transformative power of multi-camera setups, discussing how they foster immersive meeting experiences. The conversation explores the critical role of AI in enhancing communication dynamics, including intelligent shot selection and real-time transcription. Bo also highlights how SMBs might outpace larger enterprises in adopting AI-first models and raises thought-provoking questions about digital identity and data ownership in the age of AI-driven collaboration.

Leon Wright, Global Lead for Converged Communications at Microsoft, discusses how AI is transforming Teams Phone, telco partnerships and customer engagement.How AI is driving renewed interest in Teams Phone and enabling new productivity use casesThe evolving roles of SIs and telcos in delivering scale and strategic valueWhy partners integrating AI into Converged Comms are seeing 20%+ growthThe convergence of Teams and Dynamics in Microsoft’s AI business solutions strategyMicrosoft’s shift to transparent roadmap sharing and early partner feedbackThanks to Pure IP, this episode’s sponsor, for their continued support of Empowering.Cloud.

Prashi Badkur, Senior Product Manager Lead for Teams phone devices at Microsoft, talks about the evolving role of physical desk phones.Despite predictions that physical phones would disappear, there remains a strong demand for Teams phone devices across various industries, including healthcare, finance, and emergency services. Specific roles value the tactile buttons and instant functionality for high call volumes and efficiency.AI features including Copilot-powered call summaries for transfers and voice commands for device navigationEnhanced line key capabilities with remote configuration through Teams Admin CentreShared line features with LED indicators and custom ringtones for multi-store scenariosQueues app now available on desk phones for agent opt-in/opt-out functionalityContact management for common area phones allowing admins to preload emergency contactsMicrosoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) support for phonesFuture roadmapThanks to Ribbon, this episode’s sponsor, for their continued support. 

Alexander Ivanov, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft Teams, dives into the Technology Adoption Program (TAP), which shapes Teams Android device quality through early customer testing. He discusses how customer feedback directly influences product development and the importance of a partnership with participants. Ivanov shares insights on device certification, firmware updates, and measuring user satisfaction. He also highlights the recruitment process that engages users in shaping future features, making TAP more than just a preview—it's a collaborative effort.

Explore the latest advancements in Microsoft Teams, including the integration of ChatGPT-5 and enhanced M365 Copilot features for email summarization and document interaction. Discover how Teams is revolutionizing in-car video calls with Mercedes and streamlining phone routing with new certified contact center solutions. Learn about improved web management tools and the changes in API charges, all while examining the financial growth tied to these cloud technologies.

Jim Gaynor, Editorial Vice President at Directions on Microsoft, reflects on the evolution of Microsoft Teams and its shifting role in Microsoft’s strategy.How Teams evolved from a Slack competitor to a central productivity platformThe impact of the pandemic on Teams adoption and scaleWhy Teams Premium is becoming the home for advanced featuresMicrosoft’s pivot to Copilot and what it means for TeamsHow customers are approaching Copilot adoption, ROI, and data governanceJim’s perspective on Microsoft’s long-game approach to AI and platform strategyThanks to AudioCodes, this episode’s sponsor, for their continued support of Empowering.Cloud.

Neil Milliken, Global Head of Accessibility at Atos and host of Access Chat, discusses the evolution of accessibility in the enterprise driven by AI and inclusive design. He emphasizes how tools like Microsoft 365 are embedding features for everyone, not just those with disabilities. Neil highlights the impact of the European Accessibility Act on organizations and why accessibility is crucial for business, not simply a compliance checkbox. He also dives into the advancements in assistive technology and the importance of high-quality audio in enhancing productivity and collaboration.

Mark Herbert (https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbertmark/), co-founder of Call2Teams (at Qunifi, acquired by Dstny) and now launching Haptap Call Manager, explores how partners are enabling Microsoft Teams Phone for SMB and mid-market.Mark shares industry insights from his Teams journey and working with UCaaS vendors and partners to bridge SIP trunks into Teams. He gives a demo of Haptap Call Manager (https://www.haptap.com/), a cloud-hosted management tool for simplified management of Microsoft Teams phone services.The evolving Teams Phone opportunity in SMB and mid-market • How AI and Copilot are driving interest in Teams PhoneThe challenges partners face managing voice at scaleHaptap’s approach to multi-tenant Teams Phone managementWhy Dstny backed Haptap as an innovation-led startup within the group

Dave Hatz, VP of Machine Intelligence at CTI, a major AV integrator and events company, shares his journey from AV programming into AI leadership.How AI is reshaping the AV integrator’s role, from hardware-centric deployments to software-driven, experience-focused solutionsThe shift from complex, bespoke AV setups to scalable, software-upgradable Microsoft Teams Rooms and how this enables sustainability and innovationThe growing importance of AI features like intelligent cameras, transcription, and meeting recap, and how AV professionals can support these capabilitiesFrom personal productivity tools to organisational workflows, Dave discusses how CTI helps clients integrate AIThanks to Neat for sponsoring this podcast episode and for their ongoing support.