Microsoft is getting its Teams platform future-ready after setting an ambitious goal to make the app as significant as the internet browser or a computer operating system.

After wrapping up a successful 2020 for the platform and reaching significant milestones, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has unveiled plans to make an even bigger splash in the collaboration software pond. 

Digital platforms saw a surge in demand during the remote work boom of 2020. Microsoft Teams, in particular, pulled off a showstopper, adding 100 million new subscribers by the end of September to a total number of 115 subscribers.  

During the third quarter, Teams users spent 30 billion minutes on a single day — which equates to an average of more than four hours per person —  participating in video conferences, working on shared documents, and reviewing meetings. 

Considering how difficult it is for new enterprise software to stand out in a saturated market, this makes Teams an instant hit. It has emerged as a go-to service and a key part of workplace culture virtually overnight.

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The new year will be all about further developing the product and offering new features such as an offline experience, Presenter View, and Meeting Recap.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Nadella has shared just a little of what the company hopes to achieve, saying that Teams is evolving into something more than just a communication tool. He refers to it as an organising hub where other Microsoft services come together. Microsoft’s is now aiming to make Teams a single workspace where users can access its Office apps.

Microsoft has begun offering Teams as a free add-on to its Office software, making it a natural choice for businesses that already pay for the productivity suite.

In a previous announcement, Microsoft said that it will discontinue Skype for Business Online on 31 July 2021. It is now encouraging businesses to upgrade to Microsoft Teams, which will “streamline the way users get things done, improve user satisfaction and accelerate business outcomes.”

All these updates set the tone for better remote working and collaboration opportunities and strengthen the platform’s position in a fast-changing industry.