B2B Collab / Direct Connect - Teams users have different types of access

Hi Fess,

here is my explanation regarding your questions:

1. B2B Direct Connect Overview:

   • B2B direct connect helps people work together across different organizations using Teams shared channels.
   • Access levels depend on the shared channel's rules.
   • For example, a colleague who can search for people in another organization and sees its name likely has B2B direct connect access.

2. B2B Collaboration:

   • B2B collaboration lets you invite outsiders to join specific Teams.
   • These guests have broader access, not just to shared channels but to the entire team.
   • Someone who can only find people from another organization via email might be using B2B collaboration.

3. Possible Differences:

   • Check how each user was added—whether as a guest to a specific team (B2B collaboration) or directly to shared channels (B2B direct connect).
   • Look at the rules for shared channels to see who can do what.

B2B direct connect is for shared channels, while B2B collaboration brings guests into whole teams.

B2B direct connect Microsoft Entra overview - Microsoft Entra External ID | Microsoft Learn

Collaborate with external participants in a shared channel (IT Admins) | Microsoft Learn