Empowering.Cloud Community Update – May 2025

The latest Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 expert community briefings, Podcasts and upcoming community events.

Expert Briefings

SharePoint Online Advanced Management: Benefits, Features & Licensing

https://empowering.cloud/sharepoint-online-advanced-management-benefits-features-licensing/

MVP Rolf Tröndle gives us an in-depth exploration of the SharePoint Advanced Management features, licensing requirements and its role in enhancing data control and management.

• Key features include reporting, site restrictions and access controls to prevent data oversharing
• How SharePoint Online Advanced Management is bundled with Copilot licenses
• Upcoming features include restricted content discoverability and enhanced enterprise application insights
• Walkthrough of key functionalities include site access restrictions and setting up lifecycle management policies

Understanding the new Microsoft Teams Unified Chats and Channels Experience

https://empowering.cloud/understanding-the-new-microsoft-teams-unified-chats-and-channels-experience/

Noga Ronen, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft Teams at Microsoft discusses one of the most significant updates to Microsoft Teams since its launch: the new chat and channels experience.

• Microsoft Teams now offers a combined chat and channels interface, providing users with a more unified experience
• Custom sections and favourites allow users to personalise their experience
• Enhanced filtering options enable users to triage their messages with persistent filters for unread messages and @mentions
• Future enhancements such as threaded conversations and AI features, which will further enhance collaboration and information discovery across the platform
• How users can toggle between new and classic modes, giving them control over their experience in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams Monthly Update April 2025

https://empowering.cloud/microsoft-teams-monthly-update-april-2025/

MVP Tom Arbuthnot shares all the Microsoft Teams news and announcements for April in just 15 minutes.

• Teams clients older than 90 days will be blocked
• General Channel is back
• Detect sensitive content screen shared in meetings
• Share PowerPoint control with all presenters
• New Unify Contact Center to Microsoft Teams Integration model
• Enforcement of Teams Phone license checks for Extend Contact Centres and Attendant Consoles
• M365 Copilot Chat will be pinned by default in Teams and Outlook
• Teams Devices Updates
• Roadmap Watch

Microsoft Teams Insider Podcast

The Path from PBX to Microsoft Teams Phone with Tom Garland, Global Service Delivery Manager

Audio Podcast | YouTube

Tom Garland, Global Service Delivery Manager at Willis Towers Watson shares an insight to the journey from traditional PBX systems to Skype for Business, and then to Microsoft Teams.

Mastering Microsoft 365 Change with Ally Ward, M365 Global Service Owner

Audio Podcast | YouTube

Ally Ward, M365 Global Service Owner at a major legal firm, unravels the complexities of managing Microsoft 365 change, sharing effective strategies for handling frequent updates and ensuring seamless IT operations.

Copilot Practical Applications and Success Stories with Sarah Miller

Audio Podcast | YouTube

Sarah Miller, Senior Product Marketing Manager – Microsoft 365 Copilot at Microsoft, dives into practical applications of Microsoft Copilot Agents.

Upcoming Community Events

Teams Fireside Chat

Teams Fireside Chat – 8^th May | 16:00 BST | Virtual

Join us for this month’s Teams Fireside Chat, where we’ll be joined by Jamie Stark, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft. In the second half, we’ll open the floor to discussion and Q&A, giving you the chance to get your questions answered by the experts.

Microsoft Teams Devices Ask Me Anything

May Sessions

APAC – 21^st May | 15:30 AEDT

Hosts: MVP Graham Walsh, Phil Clapham, Andrew Higgs, Justin O’Meara

EMEA/NA – 21^st May | 16:00 BST / 08:00 PT

Hosts: MVP Graham Walsh, Michael Tressler, Jimmy Vaughan

Microsoft Teams Devices Ask Me Anything is a monthly community which gives you all an update on the important and Microsoft Teams devices news, as well as the chance to ask questions and get them answered by the experts. We have 2 sessions to cover different time zones, so there's really no excuse not to come along to at least one!

Copilot Fireside Chat

Copilot Fireside Chat with Yina Arenas – 30^th April | 16:00 BST / 09:00 PT

Join Microsoft MVPs Zoe Wilson and Kevin McDonnell for the new monthly Copilot Fireside Chat series! The next session is on 30^th April at 16:00 BST and we’ll be joined by Yina Arenas, Vice President of Product for Azure AI Foundry.

Copilot Fireside Chat is a virtual event that usually takes place on the last Wednesday of each month at 16:00 GMT. All are welcome to come along and discuss everything Copilot. Bring along your Copilot questions and get them answered by the experts, with special guest appearances alongside hosts Zoe and Kevin.