Microsoft Teams Insider

Microsoft Teams Monthly Update - August 2025Microsoft Q4 2025 Earnings In-Car Teams Video CallsTrigger workflows using emoji reactionsOn-Behalf-Of Outbound Teams Phone Calls ChangeFirst Unify Certified Contact CenterNo more Paid Teams Metered APIsGPT-5 is here in M365 Copilot and moreSummarise Email with Copilot ChatImproved M365 Copilot in WordThanks to Logitech, this month's benefactor, for your support of Empowering.Cloud and the community.Note that this is an audio-only version of the update, so if you would like to see the accompanying slides, please watch the video version on Empowering.CloudFollowApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicRSS FeedSee All

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. 

Callum Moore is an Enterprise Product Manager for Microsoft Teams at a global organisation supporting nearly 400,000 users. Drawing on his experience across professional services, healthcare, retail, and banking, Callum shares practical insights into managing Teams at scale.• Client Health and Admin Tools: New Teams Admin Center dashboards are available for monitoring client version compliance, crashes, and update failures. These tools offer a more accessible way to identify issues that may otherwise go unreported and influence user perception.• User Experience and Communication: The benefits of promoting smaller, user-focused features—such as keyboard shortcuts—and using tools like Viva Engage or Copilot to support internal communications. Callum encourages creating informal spaces for users to explore features at their own pace.• AI and Copilot Integration: The conversation touches on how AI is influencing product management and organisational structures. Callum notes the growing need for concise, actionable information to keep pace with Microsoft’s evolving roadmap.• Feedback and Community: Emphasising the importance of two-way dialogue, Callum encourages organisations to share feedback with Microsoft and engage with peers to surface common challenges and influence product direction.• Troubleshooting and Network Testing: The episode also explores upcoming features like silent test calls and remote log collectionThanks to Landis for sponsoring this podcast episode and for their ongoing support. 

Microsoft Teams Monthly Update - July 2025Microsoft FY26Skype for Business Server Subscription Edition GASummarise transferred calls in Teams with CopilotTeams client health dashboardTeams client Silent Test CallsTeams Rooms Pro Portal AlResearcher and Analyst Agents GAReal-time voice is coming in M365 Copilot EventsThanks to Pure IP, this month's benefactor, for your support of Empowering.Cloud and the community.Note that this is an audio-only version of the update, so if you would like to see the accompanying slides, please watch the video version on Empowering.Cloud

Mary Jo Foley, a prominent tech journalist and Editor in Chief at Directions on Microsoft, discusses the remarkable rise of AI at Microsoft. She shares her journey from journalism to analyzing Microsoft's strategies. The conversation covers the challenges organizations face while navigating AI advancements and the complexities of Microsoft's licensing models. They also unpack the evolution of Microsoft Teams and the role of AI in enhancing workplace productivity, highlighting user engagement and data security as top priorities.

David Renfree, Manager of UC Sales Specialists at Colt Technology Services, and Jason Wyatt, EMEA Marketing Director at AudioCodes, discuss evolving operator services and how Colt is innovating in enterprise connectivity through their partnership with AudioCodes.Strategic Partnership: Colt utilizes AudioCodes Live Platform to enhance enterprise voice services and efficiencyAward-Winning Cooperation: Colt recognised by AudioCodes for excellence as Live Platform and Service Provider of the YearTailored Solutions: Offers flexible, multi-vendor integration to meet diverse enterprise requirementsAdvanced UC Management: Provides comprehensive service management for both cloud and on-premise environmentsAI and Business Impact: Focuses on AI-driven solutions for superior business outcomes beyond traditional telecomThanks to AudioCodes, this episode's sponsor, for their continued support

Mehryn Corrigan, Microsoft Global Channel Sales lead, Microsoft Teams Rooms, discusses the evolution of Teams Rooms and AI and the future of meeting spaces.AV and IT Convergence: Exploring the integration of AV and IT in meeting room setups and how partners are evolving their rolesAI in Meeting Rooms: Enhancements such as speaker recognition, AI assistants, and Copilot are transforming meeting experiencesSimplifying Room Deployments: Efforts to streamline setup and management are making modern meeting rooms more accessibleFuture Opportunities for Partners: With the addition of Microsoft Places and AI, partners are poised to expand their service offerings beyond hardwareThanks to Jabra, this episode's sponsor, for their continued support.