Forum Discussion
Microsoft Teams Connect aka Shared Channels Coming Later in 2021
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 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 🤣
Hi Ed_Kenny I understand your frustration waiting for shared channels. At the same time I do not quite see why it is problematic related to external sharing. It is currently possible to share externally from Teams, you just need to define external sharing for the respective team in Teams. For example, If I am running a project with several vendors and partners involved, I would make a project team in Teams where everyone in the project are included, and everyone informed that whatever is shared in the proejct team in Teams is open for everyone who are members. This is a good idea as everyone in the project is delivering on the project together. There might be some documents that are not to be shared with everyone in the project, these can be either shared in private channels or in an internal project and portfolio-team in an internal Teams.
That being said, there might be a situation were I want external resources to see only things my team is sharing with them, or collaborating with them on. In this scenario I could create a vendor team (with external sharing on) in Teams with a few shared channels, for e.g. routines, templates, etc. and then a private channel for each. It is not shared channels, and they would need to switch tenant, still, it is very easy to do this in browser (and add as apps on the taskbar). This would however, resolve the need until shared channels are in place, and get people used to work and collaborate in a smart way in Teams while waiting.
Please share a scenario where you think either or none of these would work?
