Finding and purchasing the right endpoints for your business communication strategy is a crucial part of empowering any modern team. Particularly now, as companies make the transition into the age of remote and hybrid work, the demand for more flexible, easy-to-use devices is greater than ever.

Most importantly, these tools need to work seamlessly with the software solutions companies rely on each day. Fortunately, for companies in the Microsoft Teams ecosystem, there are plenty of great vendors to choose from. What’s more, as Teams becomes more popular as the go-to-choice for the hybrid work hub, many endpoint innovators are applying for Microsoft Teams certification.

This means Microsoft has a fantastic list of well-known vendors with devices specifically approved to work with Microsoft Teams technology. To make it even easier to choose the right technology for your team, Microsoft introduced the “Teams Devices store” – an all-in-one environment where you can mix and match the certified solutions you need to empower your team.

Defining the Microsoft Teams Devices Store?

For a few years now, Microsoft has been investing heavily into strategies designed to enhance and improve hybrid work. Thanks to the Microsoft Teams environment, countless companies have been able to make the shift towards a more flexible workplace, complete with file sharing, video conferencing, and instant messaging capabilities.

Part of making sure companies can make the most of the hybrid work revolution for Microsoft, is giving teams access to both the right software, and the correct hardware. While Microsoft has its own selection of cameras, speakers and headsets available, it also ensures companies can build the ideal tech stack from scratch through it’s partner network.

Built on the back of the Microsoft Teams Devices certification, the Microsoft Teams “Devices” store, is a convenient environment where business leaders can shop for tools pre-approved and certified for Microsoft Teams. This simplifies the process of shopping for critical endpoints like webcams and microphones, by ensuring you can access solutions from different vendors in the same space.

Businesses can purchase everything from simple video conferencing endpoints for their remote workers, to comprehensive room kits pre-built for Microsoft Teams in one ecommerce environment. This means less time spent jumping between different retailers, and more time developing the perfect communication ecosystem for your staff.

Why Did Microsoft Create the Microsoft Teams Devices Store?

Microsoft is a major presence and innovator in the technology landscape for a number of reasons. Not only does the company invest in the latest research and development strategies to bring new capabilities to its customers on a consistent basis, but it understands the needs of its audience too.

By listening to consumers, gathering constant feedback, and researching the market, Microsoft has developed a deep knowledge of what companies are looking for as they make the shift to a new age of work. One of the most significant challenges many businesses buyers face, is finding and purchasing the correct endpoints – particularly for hybrid teams.

Microsoft created the Teams Devices Store and Microsoft Teams Certification program to help guide companies towards the tools best-suited to match their technology requirements. The products in the store are all certified by Microsoft, which means they have exceptional functionality, great ease of use, and a native connection to the Teams landscape.

The Microsoft Teams Devices store also makes it easier to shop for a wider range of products in the same environment. Rather than having to look at the product portfolios of different vendors for video tools, screens, and headsets, you can buy everything you need in the same place. Microsoft’s store has solutions for everything from personal and home offices to large meeting spaces.

Where Can You Find the Microsoft Teams Devices Store?

One of the crucial steps Microsoft has taken to make purchasing Teams certified devices as simple as possible, is embedding the Devices store into the Teams environment. Administrators can actively explore, and purchase Teams certified products for their organisation without leaving the Teams admin centre. This means you can manage your devices, track their adoption and usage, and even order new endpoints all in the same place.

Once you log into the Admin Centre, you’ll be able to navigate to the left-hand bar, to see the “Teams Devices” tab. In this environment, you can manage your existing devices, get useful insights, and visit the “Teams Devices Store”.

The store has all of the most recent certified devices to be approved for Teams, organised into different sections for desk phones, peripherals, and headsets, among other products. If you’re managing existing Teams devices, you can click into one of your products to purchase more of the same. Alternatively, you can search through a wide range of alternative options and purchase as many as you need. The Teams admin center will even allow you to manage provisioning remotely.

Like most of the Microsoft tools on the market today, the Teams Devices store is focused heavily on good user experience and simplicity. You can filter through devices based on the brand you prefer, the color of the item, or even the size of your meeting room.

You can also sort through devices based on inventory availability, which is useful in a time when supply chain conditions are somewhat unpredictable.

The store is also designed to make purchasing as seamless and simple as possible, with competitive prices, so you know you’re getting a great deal, free shipping, flexible payment methods, and hassle-free returns if you’re unhappy with anything you receive.

Simplifying the Device Purchasing Process

Not only is buying a certified device for Teams easy with the Microsoft Devices store, but setting the technology up is straightforward too. As soon as a device is shipped to you, it’s integrated with your Teams device management environment in the admin center.

The purchased device’s MAC ID will automatically be implemented into your tenant in the admin center. This means you can start remotely provisioning tools instantly.

Currently, the Device Store for Microsoft Teams endpoints is available in only the US and Canada, but Microsoft plans on rolling it out to new markets soon.

 



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