What is Teams?

Teams is a platform for communicating and collaborating with other users on campus.

Starting in May 2023, Teams will replace Skype for Business for calling and text chatting.

Why are we switching to Teams?

Microsoft officially announced the retirement of Skype for Business Online for July 2021, with final end-of-life in January 2024. Teams is the natural replacement for Skype for Business, and includes the same features that you’re used to in Skype - that is, chat/instant messaging and phone calls.

When the migration happens in May 2023, your phone number will automatically be transitioned to Teams and all phone calls will be made/received from there. After that occurs, Skype for Business will no longer function.

Please note: Teams is only replacing Skype for Business. There are no plans at this time to switch away from Zoom if that is your preferred meeting platform.

What can Teams do?

As mentioned, Teams can do the same things that Skype for Business could –chat, phone calls, and video calls.

However, Teams also includes a lot more features:

• Teams and Channels are collaborative workspaces with persistent posts. They’re a bit like a social media page, with a timeline of posts that can be commented on.
  
  
• The Teams Calendar is fully featured, similar to your Outlook calendar, and allows you to schedule meetings and other things without opening a new application.
  
  
• The Files tab gives you one-stop access to all of your files stored within Teams, OneDrive, and Box.

This is just a brief overview –full breakdowns and trainings are available for each of these functions - just head to the "How do I learn more?" section below!

Do I have to use Teams?

Because Skype for Business is being completely retired, anything that you would have done there will have to be done through Teams –that includes phone calls and chatting.

It’s up to you and your unit whether you want to take advantages of the other features of the Teams platform, like the Teams/Channels themselves, file storage, and video conferencing.

How do I learn more?

We are offering regular trainings on many Teams features up to the coming migration deadline. Check your email inbox for training invites or contact us at aces-it-help@illinois.edu if you’d like more information.

Recordings of previous trainings are available at the ACES Technology Training Series channel in Media Space: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/channel/ACES%2BTechnology%2BTraining%2BSeries/208517463

For text-based walkthroughs on specific topics, head over to https://answers.illinois.edu and search for Teams.

Final Thoughts

If you have any questions or concerns about Teams, reach out to your local IT Pro by emailing us: aces-it-help@illinois.edu