Forum Discussion
Microsoft Teams Connect aka Shared Channels Coming Later in 2021
Microsoft Teams Connect, a new way of collaboration based on federated shared channels, is now in private preview and should be available later in 2021. The best thing about shared channels is that y...
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The current status of shared channels is that they are in limited private preview with customers through Microsoft's Technology Adoption Program (TAP). Microsoft indicated at Ignite that they expect shared channels to be available in public preview in early 2022. Exactly when depends on the technology meeting thresholds for quality and functionality AND the availability of other features within Microsoft 365 that shared channels need to work. Yes, it's a pain that things are taking so long, but you'd prefer to get functionality that works well and doesn't take a huge amount of effort to implement and manage... wouldn't you?
The current status of shared channels is that they are in limited private preview with customers through Microsoft's Technology Adoption Program (TAP). Microsoft indicated at Ignite that they expect shared channels to be available in public preview in early 2022. Exactly when depends on the technology meeting thresholds for quality and functionality AND the availability of other features within Microsoft 365 that shared channels need to work. Yes, it's a pain that things are taking so long, but you'd prefer to get functionality that works well and doesn't take a huge amount of effort to implement and manage... wouldn't you?
- This is starting to have some "Private Channels" vibes to it. 😞
- The difference is that shared channels are introducing a completely new authentication mechanism to permit sharing with people from other Microsoft 365 tenants. Given the sensitivity of authentication and sharing of potentially confidential information which might be in shared channels, I think it is both right and best for Microsoft to wait until they have resolved bugs and bulletproofed the software (as much as this is possible).
I don't have a problem with that, I do have a problem with their ability to execute.
We could talk all day about how much new technology they have to invent, the reality is, users don't care about that.
I see more and more companies slipping back to Slack and Zoom for external collaboration due to the lack of a quality Microsoft offering in the space.
Do I want it secure first time? Absolutely.
Do I think five years into Teams life we should still be waiting on this? Absolutely not.
My issue with Private Channels was the continued "we are working on it" messages coming out of Microsoft and it was almost two full years from the announcement at Ignite before it was released.
I guess I would prefer if Microsoft didn't announce features until they were ready if they can't keep to their release dates.
/rant over 🤣
- Yes, but I'd also like to be able to tell my end users when they can expect features with confidence. Saying "Later in 2021" starting back in December of 2020 and then waiting until NOVEMBER of 2021 to say it's being pushed back is just poor communication.
It's inexcusable this feature is STILL not available. This creates huge headaches for companies that are merging or partnered up (which my company is now trying to figure out). This is a basic function that should have been up and running when Teams was launched. It was announced a year ago and we still have nothing.
