Microsoft Groups is about to obtain an replace that may set up a complete new use case for the collaboration and video conferencing platform.
As defined within the newest addition (opens in new tab) to the official roadmap, Microsoft Groups will quickly assist a brand new assembly sort referred to as “virtual appointments”. The thought is to offer B2C companies a easy strategy to schedule consultations with their prospects.
“When using the meeting type, guests will get a meeting invitation that includes important appointment details to make joining easy,” defined Microsoft. “They can join from any device - no need to install Teams - and experience a comfortable pre-appointment virtual waiting room until you’re ready to begin.”
Not only for enterprise
Like many different companies within the collaboration and communication sector, Microsoft Groups has loved a meteoric rise to prominence for the reason that pandemic caused a shift to distant and hybrid working. The newest figures recommend greater than 270 million individuals now use the platform every month.
Nevertheless, in an effort to broaden the attain of the platform even additional, Microsoft has in current months put a major quantity of power into creating use circumstances for customers too.
On high of constructing Groups into the center of Home windows 11 (the Chat app is now a everlasting fixture within the taskbar), Microsoft additionally gave the desktop consumer a visible overhaul to make the platform more approachable for a non-business viewers.
Individually, the corporate not too long ago made it attainable to mix client and enterprise accounts, permitting company customers to launch chats and conferences with shoppers and companions that may be utilizing their private Groups login.
And though Microsoft has branded the launch of 3D avatars for Groups as a measure to enhance assembly engagement and immersion, it’s additionally a characteristic non-professionals will wish to play with too.
The transfer to create a brand new sort of assembly particular to B2C appointments is the newest step on this broader course of, creating a brand new purpose for each companies and customers to work together with the now-familiar platform. Whether or not or not individuals will take to the thought, although, is a separate query.
The digital appointments characteristic remains to be at present underneath improvement, however ought to make its strategy to all Groups customers by the tip of the 12 months.