Protected Trust Blog

The healthcare industry as a whole is frequently pressured to be as effective and efficient as possible. Yet, physicians in both general care and specialist facilities often spend more time on paperwork than they do on helping patients because of how convoluted and difficult the filing requirements for patient health information, health insurance payment data, and medical inventory management can be. At the 2019 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference, Microsoft revealed some features for their Office 365 and Teams software that could help streamline and improve these kinds of tedious healthcare processes.

The healthcare industry as a whole is frequently pressured to be as effective and efficient as possible. Yet, physicians in both general care and specialist facilities often spend more time on paperwork than they do on helping patients because of how convoluted and difficult the filing requirements for patient health information, health insurance payment data, and medical inventory management can be. At the 2019 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference, Microsoft revealed some features for their Office 365 and Teams software that could help streamline and improve these kinds of tedious healthcare processes.

Microsoft Teams is one of the most powerful business collaboration tools on the market. (Is Microsoft Teams right for your business?) By incorporating Office software and enabling collaborative editing on Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files, Teams makes it easy for almost any organization to improve their efficiency. For healthcare organizations, the ability to collaborate is especially important, as physicians share their treatment plans and patient charts between departments in a multidisciplinary hospital setting.

Here are a few Microsoft Teams best practices to help multidisciplinary clinics get the most out of teams and maximize process improvement in healthcare.

Microsoft Teams for Healthcare Features

1. Custom Templates for Frequently-Diagnosed Conditions

In healthcare, little delays for generating paperwork can really add up. In particular, creating notes for frequently-diagnosed conditions can be a massive time sink for physicians in all specialties.

\n

For example, say it takes you five minutes to write a note for a sprained ankle or torn meniscus in a sports clinic. That doesn’t sound too bad, right? However, if you see just twelve patients in a day, that’s an hour of paperwork right there.

\n

To help save time on frequently-diagnosed conditions, it can help to create a custom note form where all you have to do is fill in a few blanks for the specific patient visit. This can help to minimize the time sucked away by paperwork so you can focus on helping more people.

2. Avoid Physician Burnout

Physician stress and burnout is a constant concern in the healthcare industry. In fact, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), there is, “An overall physician burnout rate of 44 percent, with 15 percent saying they experienced colloquial or clinical forms of depression.” When healthcare providers are overstressed to the point of burnout, their quality of care drops and healthcare processes suffer for it.

To help create and sustain process improvement in healthcare, hospitals need to give their physicians some well-earned time off. But, what happens to the doctor’s workload and responsibilities while they’re away? Patients may still need help and advice from their physician—or, their colleagues may need access to their specialist skills.

One Microsoft Teams feature that can be handy for giving your physicians a break without disrupting your clinic’s processes is message delegation. By leveraging message delegation in Microsoft Teams, you can set it up so that while specific physicians are on vacation, messages being sent to them are automatically sent to a designated substitute—such as someone else in the same specialty or an administrator.

3. Schedule Management Tool

Even the most reliable people can forget when they’re supposed to be on shift—especially if their schedules keep changing from one week to the next to accommodate the semi-chaotic availability of some specialists.

Microsoft Teams features a schedule management tool that makes it easy to both create and actively track everyone’s schedules within a multidisciplinary clinic. This way, administrators can rest easy knowing that all of their practice’s critical departments are properly filled at all times. Meanwhile, caregivers can check their schedules on a moment’s notice in the Microsoft Teams app on their computer or smartphone.

4. Custom Channels for Different Teams and Shifts

One of the most important Microsoft Teams benefits is the ability to create custom “channels” in Teams so that different groups of people in a clinic can easily communicate with one another. Healthcare facilities can create designated channels for individual team members to communicate with one another with ease. Channels can then be customized with team-specific apps and tab pins to make it easier for them to find and use frequently-needed tools. Leveraging these custom channels to their fullest potential is a key best practice for improving healthcare processes and workflows.

\n

For example, you could create a custom channel just for nurses in your healthcare facility to allow senior personnel to share important updates to the entire nursing staff. Or, you could create a channel just for oncologists or pediatricians in your practice so they can easily communicate and collaborate with their team members about patient diagnoses.

\n

Creating custom channels for specific teams in your healthcare facility can help ensure consistent communication and collaboration while improving healthcare processes.

5. Prioritize Notifications and Patients

Some notifications are more important than others—especially in healthcare. Priority notifications are a core Microsoft Teams feature for healthcare providers for a number of reasons.

First, and foremost, they can provide an alert for a patient that’s in critical condition. For example, say Doctor Ingvall has a heart patient who is being held for observation. If that patient goes into critical condition while the doctor is away, and that doctor has important knowledge that is crucial for the patient’s treatment, a priority notification from the Teams app can help alert Dr. Ingvall to the situation so he can respond quickly.

Second, they can be used to help prioritize important information requests between team members. Say a patient is due to go into surgery in a few days with a new physician who is in a different specialty from their usual care provider. Using Teams, the specialist can send a priority notification to the patient’s normal caregiver to request any details about the patient’s treatment plan that might not be in their documentation that may be pertinent to their upcoming surgery. This can help the new surgeon prepare a pre-treatment preparation plan for a faster post-op recovery and reduce the risk of complications during surgery.

6. Smart Camera Optimization

Doctors can take a picture on their smartphone and upload it through the Microsoft Teams for healthcare app. Teams can auto-crop the image to showcase only the most relevant data as needed. This helps save time and effort of image processing.

7. FHIR Electronic Health Record Integration

EHR systems are vital for sharing patient data in a multidisciplinary healthcare facility—ensuring that everyone knows what medications and treatment regimens each patient is undergoing. Microsoft 365 for healthcare now has an integration for FHIR-enabled EHRs to allow doctors to quickly and securely update patient information.

These are just a few Microsoft Teams best practices for streamlining and improving healthcare processes. For more info about using Teams and Office 365 for healthcare practices, schedule an introduction with the Protected Trust team today!

The healthcare industry as a whole is frequently pressured to be as effective and efficient as possible. Yet, physicians in both general care and specialist facilities often spend more time on paperwork than they do on helping patients because of how convoluted and difficult the filing requirements for patient health information, health insurance payment data, and medical inventory management can be. At the 2019 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference, Microsoft revealed some features for their Office 365 and Teams software that could help streamline and improve these kinds of tedious healthcare processes.

Microsoft Teams is one of the most powerful business collaboration tools on the market. (Is Microsoft Teams right for your business?) By incorporating Office software and enabling collaborative editing on Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files, Teams makes it easy for almost any organization to improve their efficiency. For healthcare organizations, the ability to collaborate is especially important, as physicians share their treatment plans and patient charts between departments in a multidisciplinary hospital setting.

Here are a few Microsoft Teams best practices to help multidisciplinary clinics get the most out of teams and maximize process improvement in healthcare.

Microsoft Teams for Healthcare Features

1. Custom Templates for Frequently-Diagnosed Conditions

In healthcare, little delays for generating paperwork can really add up. In particular, creating notes for frequently-diagnosed conditions can be a massive time sink for physicians in all specialties.

\n

For example, say it takes you five minutes to write a note for a sprained ankle or torn meniscus in a sports clinic. That doesn’t sound too bad, right? However, if you see just twelve patients in a day, that’s an hour of paperwork right there.

\n

To help save time on frequently-diagnosed conditions, it can help to create a custom note form where all you have to do is fill in a few blanks for the specific patient visit. This can help to minimize the time sucked away by paperwork so you can focus on helping more people.

2. Avoid Physician Burnout

Physician stress and burnout is a constant concern in the healthcare industry. In fact, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), there is, “An overall physician burnout rate of 44 percent, with 15 percent saying they experienced colloquial or clinical forms of depression.” When healthcare providers are overstressed to the point of burnout, their quality of care drops and healthcare processes suffer for it.

To help create and sustain process improvement in healthcare, hospitals need to give their physicians some well-earned time off. But, what happens to the doctor’s workload and responsibilities while they’re away? Patients may still need help and advice from their physician—or, their colleagues may need access to their specialist skills.

One Microsoft Teams feature that can be handy for giving your physicians a break without disrupting your clinic’s processes is message delegation. By leveraging message delegation in Microsoft Teams, you can set it up so that while specific physicians are on vacation, messages being sent to them are automatically sent to a designated substitute—such as someone else in the same specialty or an administrator.

3. Schedule Management Tool

Even the most reliable people can forget when they’re supposed to be on shift—especially if their schedules keep changing from one week to the next to accommodate the semi-chaotic availability of some specialists.

Microsoft Teams features a schedule management tool that makes it easy to both create and actively track everyone’s schedules within a multidisciplinary clinic. This way, administrators can rest easy knowing that all of their practice’s critical departments are properly filled at all times. Meanwhile, caregivers can check their schedules on a moment’s notice in the Microsoft Teams app on their computer or smartphone.

4. Custom Channels for Different Teams and Shifts

One of the most important Microsoft Teams benefits is the ability to create custom “channels” in Teams so that different groups of people in a clinic can easily communicate with one another. Healthcare facilities can create designated channels for individual team members to communicate with one another with ease. Channels can then be customized with team-specific apps and tab pins to make it easier for them to find and use frequently-needed tools. Leveraging these custom channels to their fullest potential is a key best practice for improving healthcare processes and workflows.

\n

For example, you could create a custom channel just for nurses in your healthcare facility to allow senior personnel to share important updates to the entire nursing staff. Or, you could create a channel just for oncologists or pediatricians in your practice so they can easily communicate and collaborate with their team members about patient diagnoses.

\n

Creating custom channels for specific teams in your healthcare facility can help ensure consistent communication and collaboration while improving healthcare processes.

5. Prioritize Notifications and Patients

Some notifications are more important than others—especially in healthcare. Priority notifications are a core Microsoft Teams feature for healthcare providers for a number of reasons.

First, and foremost, they can provide an alert for a patient that’s in critical condition. For example, say Doctor Ingvall has a heart patient who is being held for observation. If that patient goes into critical condition while the doctor is away, and that doctor has important knowledge that is crucial for the patient’s treatment, a priority notification from the Teams app can help alert Dr. Ingvall to the situation so he can respond quickly.

Second, they can be used to help prioritize important information requests between team members. Say a patient is due to go into surgery in a few days with a new physician who is in a different specialty from their usual care provider. Using Teams, the specialist can send a priority notification to the patient’s normal caregiver to request any details about the patient’s treatment plan that might not be in their documentation that may be pertinent to their upcoming surgery. This can help the new surgeon prepare a pre-treatment preparation plan for a faster post-op recovery and reduce the risk of complications during surgery.

6. Smart Camera Optimization

Doctors can take a picture on their smartphone and upload it through the Microsoft Teams for healthcare app. Teams can auto-crop the image to showcase only the most relevant data as needed. This helps save time and effort of image processing.

7. FHIR Electronic Health Record Integration

EHR systems are vital for sharing patient data in a multidisciplinary healthcare facility—ensuring that everyone knows what medications and treatment regimens each patient is undergoing. Microsoft 365 for healthcare now has an integration for FHIR-enabled EHRs to allow doctors to quickly and securely update patient information.

These are just a few Microsoft Teams best practices for streamlining and improving healthcare processes. For more info about using Teams and Office 365 for healthcare practices, schedule an introduction with the Protected Trust team today!

The healthcare industry as a whole is frequently pressured to be as effective and efficient as possible. Yet, physicians in both general care and specialist facilities often spend more time on paperwork than they do on helping patients because of how convoluted and difficult the filing requirements for patient health information, health insurance payment data, and medical inventory management can be. At the 2019 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference, Microsoft revealed some features for their Office 365 and Teams software that could help streamline and improve these kinds of tedious healthcare processes.

In today’s digitally-driven, hyper-connected world, effective business communication is essential for success. In fact, more than 50% of work accomplished by organizations today is through collaboration, and over 80% of professionals believe collaboration is necessary to do their jobs effectively. 

In today’s digitally-driven, hyper-connected world, effective business communication is essential for success. In fact, more than 50% of work accomplished by organizations today is through collaboration, and over 80% of professionals believe collaboration is necessary to do their jobs effectively. 

(See Microsoft's new infographic)

It’s clear that successful work is built on successful teamwork. But, in a constantly evolving workforce where remote working and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies are commonplace, it can be difficult to find collaboration tools that enable seamless collaboration and efficient workflows for your team members working from various locations and devices.

That’s where Microsoft Teams comes in. It’s a hub for teamwork within the Office 365 platform that brings multiple aspects of your business together on one shared, simple workspace. We’re here to uncover how Teams can help you improve collaboration and workflows so you can transform into a truly modern, mobile business!

Microsoft Teams Collaborate with External Users

If you aren't using Teams but you are a user in Office 365, then you are missing out on one of the best applications built for productivity.  In our office, it has almost entirely replaced email as the way we communicate internally and on Tuesday's livestream we talked about its latest feature: use with external users.

So why is having external users in Teams such a big deal?  Well, let me put it to you this way.  Our office had only officially adopted Teams since the end of last year and here we are almost 6 months later and almost everyone uses Teams instead of email to communicate internally.  In fact, workflows had to be rewritten because important announcements will not come in email form, it will come in through Team channels.  Now that external users can utilize Teams the same way as internal users, we open new ways of communication and data transfer.  Putting aside the fact that all of your shared documents are contained in one place, the messaging feature alone simplifies communication.  If you have ever used the Slack app or visited a web forum, then you are already familiar with the communication style in Teams. 

The conversation is kept in timeline form, so there is never a lost email.  Also, if you weren't a part of the team in the beginning and join it later, you still have access to the entire thread from the very beginning.  Furthermore,  your Team can have multiple Channels or sub topics, so you don't overcrowd your thread with multiple conversations at once.  You may be wondering about the external user and whether he/she will actually use the app instead of email.  Fear not, simply use the \"@\" symbol followed by your team name to notify all of its members through email or follow it by the specific members name to only notify a person at a time.

Microsoft Teams Collaboration Tools Encourage Group Flow 

Group flow is “A collective state that occurs when a group is performing at the peak of its abilities.” As a business owner or manager, you obviously want your teams to be at this peak level of productivity and satisfaction. But how do you actually encourage group flow? By providing your people with the workspaces and collaboration tools they need to communicate and work together effectively. 

Microsoft Teams empowers your employees to do just that by giving them a space to chat, meet, share files, and work with business apps as a team—no matter where each member of that team is working from or what device they’re using. 

Teams creates a secure place for team members to create together. In the past, someone would have to work on their own file, send it to another employee to edit, wait for them to send it back, address their suggestions, and then send it off to the next person for approval. With Teams, however, employees can work together on files with built-in Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. 

This allows multiple people to add suggestions and make edits simultaneously and in real-time. Then, when the project is ready, it can be easily accessed by high-level decision makers for approval. There’s no need to sort through endless email chains or risk the chance of spending time working on an out-of-date version of a file—just streamlined collaboration that simplifies moving your business forward.

Microsoft Teams Connects Remote Employees 

As we mentioned, remote working and BYOD policies are the new norm in today’s modern workforce. These innovative workplace policies are growing fast with no signs of slowing down—in 2018, 70% of workers spent at least some time working remotely compared to only 39% in 2012, and the BYOD market is expected to reach almost $367 billion by 2022, up from just $30 billion in 2014. 

While these policies empower employees to work in the locations and with the devices that are best for their own needs, it can cause problems when it comes to business communication. Think about it: when you have team members trying to work together when they aren’t all in the same room, it can be challenging to get everyone on the same page—and keep them there as they continue to work on the project. 

The solution to this problem lies in using the right technology. Technology is rapidly evolving to create more authentic, accessible group experiences for this increasing population of remote workers. This helps remote workers still feel like part of the team, which is necessary for personal and professional satisfaction. In fact, according to Buffer’s 2019 State of Remote Work report, the second biggest struggle of working remotely is loneliness, and the third is the lack of collaboration/communication. 

So, it’s very important that your remote workers are able to be a part of their team’s group flow and have access to the collaboration tools they need to contribute to their team. Microsoft Teams provides a new way to collaborate by providing one workspace where all team members can chat or meet through clear, reliable audio and video conferences. 

Whether it’s with groups of 5 or 5,000, whether it’s a meeting with someone inside or outside of your organization, Microsoft Teams enables you to level up your team communications, meetings, and trainings. There’s no need to rely on a third-party service or software such as Skype that is often plagued by network connection glitches or technical difficulties. 

You can take these remote meeting capabilities even further by using a Microsoft® Surface Hub® 2 device. This thin, lightweight hardware is designed for mobility and allows you to run remote meetings seamlessly through Microsoft Teams. It even connects to Microsoft Whiteboard, which can take team brainstorms to a whole new level.

The Bottom Line

Companies that make it a priority to encourage collaboration are five times more likely to be high performing compared to those that do not. In today’s incredibly competitive business market, you simply cannot afford to let collaboration fall by the wayside. 

If you want to see improved collaboration and efficient workflows, you need to encourage group flow and be able to connect your remote workers. Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive solution that lets you accomplish just that! If you want to learn more, download the Microsoft study commissioned by Prowess that uncovers how teams can be more creative, collaborative, and productive. 

At Protected Trust, we’re here to help you simplify technology and empower people to communicate so they can achieve their greatest potential. We believe that a modern digital workplace built on an ecosystem of Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform can get you there. 

If you need help determining if Microsoft Teams is right for your business or are ready to start implementing, reach out to one of our experts today!

In today’s digitally-driven, hyper-connected world, effective business communication is essential for success. In fact, more than 50% of work accomplished by organizations today is through collaboration, and over 80% of professionals believe collaboration is necessary to do their jobs effectively. 

(See Microsoft's new infographic)

It’s clear that successful work is built on successful teamwork. But, in a constantly evolving workforce where remote working and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies are commonplace, it can be difficult to find collaboration tools that enable seamless collaboration and efficient workflows for your team members working from various locations and devices.

That’s where Microsoft Teams comes in. It’s a hub for teamwork within the Office 365 platform that brings multiple aspects of your business together on one shared, simple workspace. We’re here to uncover how Teams can help you improve collaboration and workflows so you can transform into a truly modern, mobile business!

Microsoft Teams Collaborate with External Users

If you aren't using Teams but you are a user in Office 365, then you are missing out on one of the best applications built for productivity.  In our office, it has almost entirely replaced email as the way we communicate internally and on Tuesday's livestream we talked about its latest feature: use with external users.

So why is having external users in Teams such a big deal?  Well, let me put it to you this way.  Our office had only officially adopted Teams since the end of last year and here we are almost 6 months later and almost everyone uses Teams instead of email to communicate internally.  In fact, workflows had to be rewritten because important announcements will not come in email form, it will come in through Team channels.  Now that external users can utilize Teams the same way as internal users, we open new ways of communication and data transfer.  Putting aside the fact that all of your shared documents are contained in one place, the messaging feature alone simplifies communication.  If you have ever used the Slack app or visited a web forum, then you are already familiar with the communication style in Teams. 

The conversation is kept in timeline form, so there is never a lost email.  Also, if you weren't a part of the team in the beginning and join it later, you still have access to the entire thread from the very beginning.  Furthermore,  your Team can have multiple Channels or sub topics, so you don't overcrowd your thread with multiple conversations at once.  You may be wondering about the external user and whether he/she will actually use the app instead of email.  Fear not, simply use the \"@\" symbol followed by your team name to notify all of its members through email or follow it by the specific members name to only notify a person at a time.

Microsoft Teams Collaboration Tools Encourage Group Flow 

Group flow is “A collective state that occurs when a group is performing at the peak of its abilities.” As a business owner or manager, you obviously want your teams to be at this peak level of productivity and satisfaction. But how do you actually encourage group flow? By providing your people with the workspaces and collaboration tools they need to communicate and work together effectively. 

Microsoft Teams empowers your employees to do just that by giving them a space to chat, meet, share files, and work with business apps as a team—no matter where each member of that team is working from or what device they’re using. 

Teams creates a secure place for team members to create together. In the past, someone would have to work on their own file, send it to another employee to edit, wait for them to send it back, address their suggestions, and then send it off to the next person for approval. With Teams, however, employees can work together on files with built-in Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. 

This allows multiple people to add suggestions and make edits simultaneously and in real-time. Then, when the project is ready, it can be easily accessed by high-level decision makers for approval. There’s no need to sort through endless email chains or risk the chance of spending time working on an out-of-date version of a file—just streamlined collaboration that simplifies moving your business forward.

Microsoft Teams Connects Remote Employees 

As we mentioned, remote working and BYOD policies are the new norm in today’s modern workforce. These innovative workplace policies are growing fast with no signs of slowing down—in 2018, 70% of workers spent at least some time working remotely compared to only 39% in 2012, and the BYOD market is expected to reach almost $367 billion by 2022, up from just $30 billion in 2014. 

While these policies empower employees to work in the locations and with the devices that are best for their own needs, it can cause problems when it comes to business communication. Think about it: when you have team members trying to work together when they aren’t all in the same room, it can be challenging to get everyone on the same page—and keep them there as they continue to work on the project. 

The solution to this problem lies in using the right technology. Technology is rapidly evolving to create more authentic, accessible group experiences for this increasing population of remote workers. This helps remote workers still feel like part of the team, which is necessary for personal and professional satisfaction. In fact, according to Buffer’s 2019 State of Remote Work report, the second biggest struggle of working remotely is loneliness, and the third is the lack of collaboration/communication. 

So, it’s very important that your remote workers are able to be a part of their team’s group flow and have access to the collaboration tools they need to contribute to their team. Microsoft Teams provides a new way to collaborate by providing one workspace where all team members can chat or meet through clear, reliable audio and video conferences. 

Whether it’s with groups of 5 or 5,000, whether it’s a meeting with someone inside or outside of your organization, Microsoft Teams enables you to level up your team communications, meetings, and trainings. There’s no need to rely on a third-party service or software such as Skype that is often plagued by network connection glitches or technical difficulties. 

You can take these remote meeting capabilities even further by using a Microsoft® Surface Hub® 2 device. This thin, lightweight hardware is designed for mobility and allows you to run remote meetings seamlessly through Microsoft Teams. It even connects to Microsoft Whiteboard, which can take team brainstorms to a whole new level.

The Bottom Line

Companies that make it a priority to encourage collaboration are five times more likely to be high performing compared to those that do not. In today’s incredibly competitive business market, you simply cannot afford to let collaboration fall by the wayside. 

If you want to see improved collaboration and efficient workflows, you need to encourage group flow and be able to connect your remote workers. Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive solution that lets you accomplish just that! If you want to learn more, download the Microsoft study commissioned by Prowess that uncovers how teams can be more creative, collaborative, and productive. 

At Protected Trust, we’re here to help you simplify technology and empower people to communicate so they can achieve their greatest potential. We believe that a modern digital workplace built on an ecosystem of Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform can get you there. 

If you need help determining if Microsoft Teams is right for your business or are ready to start implementing, reach out to one of our experts today!

In today’s digitally-driven, hyper-connected world, effective business communication is essential for success. In fact, more than 50% of work accomplished by organizations today is through collaboration, and over 80% of professionals believe collaboration is necessary to do their jobs effectively. 

Effective team meetings are the cornerstone of productive and efficient companies. However, remote working environments make holding effective team meetings challenging at the best of times. On the other hand, modern businesses need the benefits that remote working policies can provide—such as increased employee retention, access to a larger talent pool, and reduced costs for office space.

Effective team meetings are the cornerstone of productive and efficient companies. However, remote working environments make holding effective team meetings challenging at the best of times. On the other hand, modern businesses need the benefits that remote working policies can provide—such as increased employee retention, access to a larger talent pool, and reduced costs for office space.

The question is: “How can you take your team meetings to the next level when you have both on-site and off-site employees on the team?” One way is to use Microsoft products and services to enhance collaboration between remote employees. Here are a few of the ways that Microsoft products and services such as Teams and the Surface Hub 2 can level up your team meetings.

1) Using the Microsoft Teams Mobile App to Join Meetings

The Microsoft Teams mobile app for smartphones makes it incredibly easy for your employees to join meetings. However, that isn’t the only aspect of the Teams app for smartphones that helps you level up your team meetings.

Not only can the Teams app let your employees schedule their meetings ahead of time, it also allows them to:

\n
• Invite participants to an ongoing meeting by entering their phone numbers;
\n
• Share content and presentations straight from their smartphone or tablet;
\n
• Transfer individual calls to another team member to facilitate more 1:1 collaboration; and
\n
• Automatically optimize bandwidth to prevent dropped calls.
\n

That last capability can be especially handy for ensuring better team meetings by minimizing the disruption caused from dropped calls. In all, the Microsoft Teams app empowers your people to collaborate and hold better team meetings from virtually anywhere!

2) Microsoft Surface Hub 2 Built for Collaboration

The Surface Hub 2 is the perfect platform for enabling team collaboration during meetings. With the ability to display up to four simultaneous video feeds, a 4K resolution display, high-definition cameras, and an array of both speakers and microphones to ensure no part of the conversation is missed, the Microsoft Surface Hub 2 is perfect for enhancing team meetings.

Aside from being the perfect platform for conducting team meetings, the Surface Hub 2 is designed from ground up to be used alongside Microsoft Teams. This combination of Microsoft products and services makes it super-simple to share presentation materials and collaborate in real time.

3) Utilizing a Digital Whiteboard for Online Presentations

The Microsoft whiteboard app for Windows 10 devices makes walking everyone through an online presentation quick and easy. Using a simple stylus and touch screen interface allows users on tablets, smartphones, and touch screen-enabled computers like the Surface Pro to quickly draw shapes and highlight important visual aspects in online presentations.

As a Microsoft service, the Microsoft whiteboard application integrates smoothly with Office 365 to help improve its functionality. With this whiteboard feature, even employees in a remote working environment can highlight important information like they were in the room with the rest of the team.

Microsoft products and services can help bring your employees together to improve team meetings and create more effective collaboration throughout your whole organization.

Learn more about how you can leverage Microsoft products and services for your company’s needs by reaching out to Protected Trust today.

Effective team meetings are the cornerstone of productive and efficient companies. However, remote working environments make holding effective team meetings challenging at the best of times. On the other hand, modern businesses need the benefits that remote working policies can provide—such as increased employee retention, access to a larger talent pool, and reduced costs for office space.

The question is: “How can you take your team meetings to the next level when you have both on-site and off-site employees on the team?” One way is to use Microsoft products and services to enhance collaboration between remote employees. Here are a few of the ways that Microsoft products and services such as Teams and the Surface Hub 2 can level up your team meetings.

1) Using the Microsoft Teams Mobile App to Join Meetings

The Microsoft Teams mobile app for smartphones makes it incredibly easy for your employees to join meetings. However, that isn’t the only aspect of the Teams app for smartphones that helps you level up your team meetings.

Not only can the Teams app let your employees schedule their meetings ahead of time, it also allows them to:

\n
• Invite participants to an ongoing meeting by entering their phone numbers;
\n
• Share content and presentations straight from their smartphone or tablet;
\n
• Transfer individual calls to another team member to facilitate more 1:1 collaboration; and
\n
• Automatically optimize bandwidth to prevent dropped calls.
\n

That last capability can be especially handy for ensuring better team meetings by minimizing the disruption caused from dropped calls. In all, the Microsoft Teams app empowers your people to collaborate and hold better team meetings from virtually anywhere!

2) Microsoft Surface Hub 2 Built for Collaboration

The Surface Hub 2 is the perfect platform for enabling team collaboration during meetings. With the ability to display up to four simultaneous video feeds, a 4K resolution display, high-definition cameras, and an array of both speakers and microphones to ensure no part of the conversation is missed, the Microsoft Surface Hub 2 is perfect for enhancing team meetings.

Aside from being the perfect platform for conducting team meetings, the Surface Hub 2 is designed from ground up to be used alongside Microsoft Teams. This combination of Microsoft products and services makes it super-simple to share presentation materials and collaborate in real time.

3) Utilizing a Digital Whiteboard for Online Presentations

The Microsoft whiteboard app for Windows 10 devices makes walking everyone through an online presentation quick and easy. Using a simple stylus and touch screen interface allows users on tablets, smartphones, and touch screen-enabled computers like the Surface Pro to quickly draw shapes and highlight important visual aspects in online presentations.

As a Microsoft service, the Microsoft whiteboard application integrates smoothly with Office 365 to help improve its functionality. With this whiteboard feature, even employees in a remote working environment can highlight important information like they were in the room with the rest of the team.

Microsoft products and services can help bring your employees together to improve team meetings and create more effective collaboration throughout your whole organization.

Learn more about how you can leverage Microsoft products and services for your company’s needs by reaching out to Protected Trust today.

Effective team meetings are the cornerstone of productive and efficient companies. However, remote working environments make holding effective team meetings challenging at the best of times. On the other hand, modern businesses need the benefits that remote working policies can provide—such as increased employee retention, access to a larger talent pool, and reduced costs for office space.

Effective business teamwork requires strong collaboration tools—especially when it comes to remote working environments where offsite employees have to work with office-based team members to get things done.

Effective business teamwork requires strong collaboration tools—especially when it comes to remote working environments where offsite employees have to work with office-based team members to get things done.

Microsoft’s Surface family of laptops, desktops, tablets, and digital whiteboard devices are all designed to help enhance business communication and collaboration. How do Microsoft Surface collaboration tools enable your teams to work better together, even when they’re miles apart?

Here are some of the Microsoft Surface features that help improve business teamwork for both in-office and remote working teams:

Microsoft Surface Feature #1: Built-in Microsoft Teams Compatibility

Each and every last device in the Microsoft Surface family of devices was built from the ground up to be used with Microsoft Teams.

What is Microsoft Teams? It’s a business communication and collaboration tool that combines group chat message boards, file sharing, and online document editing into one convenient and easy-to-use resource. Even the “basic” free version of Teams provides access to online versions of popular Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Your employees can edit documents created in these apps simultaneously with one another instead of having to:

\n
1. Download a file;
\n
2. Make changes;
\n
3. Upload the edited file;
\n
4. Let the other employee know the edited file is up; and
\n
5. Repeat steps 1-4 again and again until the document is finalized.
\n

With Teams online business collaboration, two (or more) employees can simply make edits at the same time and even send chat messages explaining their changes and what needs to be done. This saves hours on back-and-forth for editing important documents compared to the “traditional” method.

Microsoft Surface Feature #2: Standardized Screen Ratios

Regardless of whichever Microsoft Surface collaboration tool you choose to use, you can be sure that other Surface users in your organization will have a consistent view of whatever presentations or other materials you create on it. Every device in the Microsoft Surface family of products, from the ultra-portable Microsoft Surface Go and Pro laptop/tablet hybrids, to the whiteboard-sized conference room display of the Surface Hub 2S, uses a 3:2 screen ratio. This helps to ensure a consistent appearance for any graphics or presentations across all Surface devices.

This can help to enhance business teamwork by allowing remote workers to make presentations secure in the knowledge that the image on their display is identical to what the people in the office are seeing.

Microsoft Surface Feature #3: Secure and Stable Business Communication

Another benefit of Microsoft Surface devices being designed for use with Teams is that teams provides a stable and secure business communication platform. Even the free tier of Teams provides both region-based data residency (so you know your data isn’t in some unsecure data center overseas) and encryption for both data-at-rest and data-in-flight. This minimizes the chances of your business communications being intercepted and used for nefarious purposes.

Of course, even with the security features of Microsoft Surface collaboration on Teams, it’s important to practice good data hygiene—such as deleting employee accounts when said employees leave the organization and verifying recipients for sensitive files and information.

Microsoft Surface Feature #4: Improved Videoconferencing for Remote Working

Another important feature for Microsoft Surface collaboration is how these devices are designed to enhance videoconferencing capabilities. The Surface Go and Surface Pro both have small cameras and high-quality microphones to allow remote employees to easily videoconference with in-office team members.

In particular, the Surface Hub 2 makes videoconferencing better thanks to having a large display to show up to four incoming video feeds at once, an array of microphones for high-quality audio capture, and numerous speakers to provide clear and steady audio—minimizing the business communication obstacle of poor sound quality from grainy speakerphones.

Better videoconferences mean more effective business communication and teamwork—which leads to more productive teams.

Microsoft Surface Feature #5: LTE Connectivity for Remote Working

One of the biggest obstacles to effective business communication and collaboration is the need for a stable, secure, and reliable internet connection. This often leaves remote employees looking for cafés and other businesses with free public Wi-Fi connections. The problem with this is that these free access points are rife with opportunities for hackers to intercept and compromise your data.

This is where LTE connectivity on the Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Go can be an enormous boon.

LTE connectivity on these Surface devices allows employees who are working remotely to achieve internet access from virtually anywhere they can get a cell phone signal—removing the risk of relying on public Wi-Fi networks entirely. This also expands the area where remote workers can effectively collaborate and improve business teamwork for employees in the field. In short, Microsoft Surface collaboration tools are a must-have for any company with employees working remotely in the field where Wi-Fi connections simply aren’t readily available.

Microsoft Surface collaboration is poised to make modern businesses more effective at teamwork in a remote working environment than ever before. Are you ready to maximize your business communication and collaboration? Reach out to the team at Protected Trust to learn more!

Effective business teamwork requires strong collaboration tools—especially when it comes to remote working environments where offsite employees have to work with office-based team members to get things done.

Microsoft’s Surface family of laptops, desktops, tablets, and digital whiteboard devices are all designed to help enhance business communication and collaboration. How do Microsoft Surface collaboration tools enable your teams to work better together, even when they’re miles apart?

Here are some of the Microsoft Surface features that help improve business teamwork for both in-office and remote working teams:

Microsoft Surface Feature #1: Built-in Microsoft Teams Compatibility

Each and every last device in the Microsoft Surface family of devices was built from the ground up to be used with Microsoft Teams.

What is Microsoft Teams? It’s a business communication and collaboration tool that combines group chat message boards, file sharing, and online document editing into one convenient and easy-to-use resource. Even the “basic” free version of Teams provides access to online versions of popular Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Your employees can edit documents created in these apps simultaneously with one another instead of having to:

\n
1. Download a file;
\n
2. Make changes;
\n
3. Upload the edited file;
\n
4. Let the other employee know the edited file is up; and
\n
5. Repeat steps 1-4 again and again until the document is finalized.
\n

With Teams online business collaboration, two (or more) employees can simply make edits at the same time and even send chat messages explaining their changes and what needs to be done. This saves hours on back-and-forth for editing important documents compared to the “traditional” method.

Microsoft Surface Feature #2: Standardized Screen Ratios

Regardless of whichever Microsoft Surface collaboration tool you choose to use, you can be sure that other Surface users in your organization will have a consistent view of whatever presentations or other materials you create on it. Every device in the Microsoft Surface family of products, from the ultra-portable Microsoft Surface Go and Pro laptop/tablet hybrids, to the whiteboard-sized conference room display of the Surface Hub 2S, uses a 3:2 screen ratio. This helps to ensure a consistent appearance for any graphics or presentations across all Surface devices.

This can help to enhance business teamwork by allowing remote workers to make presentations secure in the knowledge that the image on their display is identical to what the people in the office are seeing.

Microsoft Surface Feature #3: Secure and Stable Business Communication

Another benefit of Microsoft Surface devices being designed for use with Teams is that teams provides a stable and secure business communication platform. Even the free tier of Teams provides both region-based data residency (so you know your data isn’t in some unsecure data center overseas) and encryption for both data-at-rest and data-in-flight. This minimizes the chances of your business communications being intercepted and used for nefarious purposes.

Of course, even with the security features of Microsoft Surface collaboration on Teams, it’s important to practice good data hygiene—such as deleting employee accounts when said employees leave the organization and verifying recipients for sensitive files and information.

Microsoft Surface Feature #4: Improved Videoconferencing for Remote Working

Another important feature for Microsoft Surface collaboration is how these devices are designed to enhance videoconferencing capabilities. The Surface Go and Surface Pro both have small cameras and high-quality microphones to allow remote employees to easily videoconference with in-office team members.

In particular, the Surface Hub 2 makes videoconferencing better thanks to having a large display to show up to four incoming video feeds at once, an array of microphones for high-quality audio capture, and numerous speakers to provide clear and steady audio—minimizing the business communication obstacle of poor sound quality from grainy speakerphones.

Better videoconferences mean more effective business communication and teamwork—which leads to more productive teams.

Microsoft Surface Feature #5: LTE Connectivity for Remote Working

One of the biggest obstacles to effective business communication and collaboration is the need for a stable, secure, and reliable internet connection. This often leaves remote employees looking for cafés and other businesses with free public Wi-Fi connections. The problem with this is that these free access points are rife with opportunities for hackers to intercept and compromise your data.

This is where LTE connectivity on the Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Go can be an enormous boon.

LTE connectivity on these Surface devices allows employees who are working remotely to achieve internet access from virtually anywhere they can get a cell phone signal—removing the risk of relying on public Wi-Fi networks entirely. This also expands the area where remote workers can effectively collaborate and improve business teamwork for employees in the field. In short, Microsoft Surface collaboration tools are a must-have for any company with employees working remotely in the field where Wi-Fi connections simply aren’t readily available.

Microsoft Surface collaboration is poised to make modern businesses more effective at teamwork in a remote working environment than ever before. Are you ready to maximize your business communication and collaboration? Reach out to the team at Protected Trust to learn more!

Effective business teamwork requires strong collaboration tools—especially when it comes to remote working environments where offsite employees have to work with office-based team members to get things done.

The importance of business communication and collaboration is something that cannot be overstated. Being able to have remote workers collaborate effectively with employees in the office creates competitive advantages, such as being able to draw on a larger talent pool than what’s available near your office, improving work-life balance for employees (thus helping to attract and retain top talent), and enhancing employee performance when your team members are working abroad.

The importance of business communication and collaboration is something that cannot be overstated. Being able to have remote workers collaborate effectively with employees in the office creates competitive advantages, such as being able to draw on a larger talent pool than what’s available near your office, improving work-life balance for employees (thus helping to attract and retain top talent), and enhancing employee performance when your team members are working abroad.

However, enabling the kind of business mobility that creates these benefits requires strong communication and collaboration tools. Without the right tools to enable effective business communication, collaboration between your teams will suffer. One such tool for empowering business mobility and collaboration is the Microsoft Surface Hub 2 family of products.

What is the Surface Hub, and how does it empower business communication and collaboration for your company? Here’s a quick explanation:

What is the Surface Hub 2?

The Microsoft Surface Hub 2 is the newest generation of the tech giant’s large-form office collaboration tools. It combines a large 4K display, hi-res cameras, wideband stereo speakers, a focused microphone array, and a modular design into one easy-to-move package. An optional Steelcase Roam rack and APC mobile battery make it easy to move the Surface Hub 2 from room to room in the office, while up to four separate video feeds can be displayed clearly to help give teleconferences a more personal touch that simple audio on a grainy speakerphone can’t match.

This device was built from the ground up to be compatible with Microsoft’s Office 365 and Teams software. It even uses the same 3:2 screen ratio that other Surface devices use, so presentations created on a Surface Go or Surface Pro will have a consistent appearance when displayed on the Surface Hub’s larger screen.

Check Out Microsoft’s Video Explaining the Capabilities of the Surface Hub 2S Here!

How Does the Microsoft Surface Hub 2 Improve Mobile Business Collaboration?

So, how does a device with a 50” (or larger) screen improve business mobility? After all, when you think “business mobility,” odds are you think of small, easy-to-carry devices that remote workers can use with ease.

However, it’s important to remember that mobile business collaboration and communication is a two-way street. If the people in the office don’t have reliable and effective communication tools, it won’t matter if the people in the field or working from home do.

The Microsoft Surface Hub 2 makes it easier for your team in the office and your people who are working remotely to collaborate by:

\n
• Providing High-Fidelity Videoconferencing. With a 4K display that can show up to four video feeds at once, a 4K camera for capturing images, and a large array of speakers and microphones, the Surface Hub 2 is the unparalleled master of bringing people into the room—even when they’re miles away.
\n
• Seamless Integration with Microsoft’s Other Surface Devices. Thanks to using the same screen ratio and being designed for the same Microsoft Teams and Office 365 software as the rest of the Surface family of devices, sharing files and presentations between these devices and the Surface Hub is shockingly easy. This makes meetings with both remote workers and in-office employees simpler and easier.
\n
• Digital Whiteboard Functionality. The large touch screen of the Surface Hub 2 makes it perfect for use as a digital whiteboard during important meetings and presentations. Better yet, when screen sharing the whiteboard image to remote workers using other Surface devices, the fact that they all share the same 3:2 screen ratio with the Surface Hub ensures that any hand-drawn elements in the presentation will be consistent for your offsite employees.
\n

With these business communication capabilities, your in-office team can collaborate more effectively with your remote workers. The fact that the optional Steelcase frame makes the Surface Hub 2 super-easy to move so multiple in-office teams can share it by moving it from room-to-room is just gravy.

Are you ready to transform your business communication with a top-of-the-line mobile business tool? Learn more about the Surface Hub 2 and other business collaboration solutions by reaching out to Protected Trust!

The importance of business communication and collaboration is something that cannot be overstated. Being able to have remote workers collaborate effectively with employees in the office creates competitive advantages, such as being able to draw on a larger talent pool than what’s available near your office, improving work-life balance for employees (thus helping to attract and retain top talent), and enhancing employee performance when your team members are working abroad.

However, enabling the kind of business mobility that creates these benefits requires strong communication and collaboration tools. Without the right tools to enable effective business communication, collaboration between your teams will suffer. One such tool for empowering business mobility and collaboration is the Microsoft Surface Hub 2 family of products.

What is the Surface Hub, and how does it empower business communication and collaboration for your company? Here’s a quick explanation:

What is the Surface Hub 2?

The Microsoft Surface Hub 2 is the newest generation of the tech giant’s large-form office collaboration tools. It combines a large 4K display, hi-res cameras, wideband stereo speakers, a focused microphone array, and a modular design into one easy-to-move package. An optional Steelcase Roam rack and APC mobile battery make it easy to move the Surface Hub 2 from room to room in the office, while up to four separate video feeds can be displayed clearly to help give teleconferences a more personal touch that simple audio on a grainy speakerphone can’t match.

This device was built from the ground up to be compatible with Microsoft’s Office 365 and Teams software. It even uses the same 3:2 screen ratio that other Surface devices use, so presentations created on a Surface Go or Surface Pro will have a consistent appearance when displayed on the Surface Hub’s larger screen.

Check Out Microsoft’s Video Explaining the Capabilities of the Surface Hub 2S Here!

How Does the Microsoft Surface Hub 2 Improve Mobile Business Collaboration?

So, how does a device with a 50” (or larger) screen improve business mobility? After all, when you think “business mobility,” odds are you think of small, easy-to-carry devices that remote workers can use with ease.

However, it’s important to remember that mobile business collaboration and communication is a two-way street. If the people in the office don’t have reliable and effective communication tools, it won’t matter if the people in the field or working from home do.

The Microsoft Surface Hub 2 makes it easier for your team in the office and your people who are working remotely to collaborate by:

\n
• Providing High-Fidelity Videoconferencing. With a 4K display that can show up to four video feeds at once, a 4K camera for capturing images, and a large array of speakers and microphones, the Surface Hub 2 is the unparalleled master of bringing people into the room—even when they’re miles away.
\n
• Seamless Integration with Microsoft’s Other Surface Devices. Thanks to using the same screen ratio and being designed for the same Microsoft Teams and Office 365 software as the rest of the Surface family of devices, sharing files and presentations between these devices and the Surface Hub is shockingly easy. This makes meetings with both remote workers and in-office employees simpler and easier.
\n
• Digital Whiteboard Functionality. The large touch screen of the Surface Hub 2 makes it perfect for use as a digital whiteboard during important meetings and presentations. Better yet, when screen sharing the whiteboard image to remote workers using other Surface devices, the fact that they all share the same 3:2 screen ratio with the Surface Hub ensures that any hand-drawn elements in the presentation will be consistent for your offsite employees.
\n

With these business communication capabilities, your in-office team can collaborate more effectively with your remote workers. The fact that the optional Steelcase frame makes the Surface Hub 2 super-easy to move so multiple in-office teams can share it by moving it from room-to-room is just gravy.

Are you ready to transform your business communication with a top-of-the-line mobile business tool? Learn more about the Surface Hub 2 and other business collaboration solutions by reaching out to Protected Trust!

The importance of business communication and collaboration is something that cannot be overstated. Being able to have remote workers collaborate effectively with employees in the office creates competitive advantages, such as being able to draw on a larger talent pool than what’s available near your office, improving work-life balance for employees (thus helping to attract and retain top talent), and enhancing employee performance when your team members are working abroad.

Here at Protected Trust, we love the Microsoft Surface. We use them ourselves as our primary work devices—and have come to enjoy them so much that we recommend them to our valuable customers for a broad array of applications. We even have a massive 84” Surface Hub in our office that we use for everything from collaborative company-wide projects to presentations. 

We’re here to further explain how using Surface as a Service with Microsoft 365 is a valuable, comprehensive IT solution that can transform your business. Let’s get started. 

The Power of the Subscription Model

When using Surface as a Service and Microsoft 365 together, there are no upfront software and hardware costs—just one low monthly fee per user. Subscription models ensure your Office software is always up to date with no additional expenses or the need to be aware that a new version exists in the first place, download it, and manually install it on your devices.

For example, when using a subscription-based software such as Microsoft 365 for Business on your Surface device, the newest security measures and creative features will be automatically updated and available to use as soon as they’re rolled out—minus any additional expenses or effort on your part.

Say Hello to a New Way of Doing IT

At Protected Trust, we often say we’re a cloud-first company, but it’s probably more accurate to say we’re cloud architects. Our goal is to move businesses into a cloud configured for their unique needs that makes it possible to untether from the physical world. We make businesses invincible. If you have a computer and an internet connection, you can access your individual user account and keep getting work done, no matter what happens.

Microsoft 365 (not to be confused with just Office 365) is Windows, Office, security, and workstation management all in one. Instead of buying all of these things separately and manually updating them occasionally, you simply pay a monthly fee and gain peace of mind that everything is always up to date (which is the most secure way to run your business). It allows you to not just keep your file server in the cloud, but each individual user’s workstation as well. When implemented properly (which we can also help with!), it can give even small businesses enterprise-grade device management. 

Why Surface Versus all the Other Workstation Options?

Microsoft products work on practically any device you could imagine. However, the Surface is the only device actually made by Microsoft developed alongside Windows and Office 365. New features and updates will always work on your Surface—because they were made to. 

To learn more about how valuable this pairing can be for your business, read about how using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on a Surface device can maximize your ROI compared to using 365 on a third-party device in our blog. Here are a few key takeaways: 

\n
• Employees more than doubled productivity when it comes to communication, information sharing, and business workflows  when using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on a Surface device, compared to using the software on a different piece of hardware.
\n
• Senior leadership was able to reach key business decisions 21% faster when using Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface, compared to only 18% when using it on other devices.
\n
• IT saved 2.5 hours per application provisioning request and over 25 minutes configuring each Surface device compared to other devices.
\n

Now Imagine...

IT becoming something you can mostly do yourself. Imagine if bringing on a new hire was as easy as setting up a Microsoft 365 user for them, handing them a Surface device and their Microsoft login, and the employee being able to take it from there? 

Say goodbye to downloading disk images and hello to all your business applications being automatically installed once the user logs in. Say goodbye to having to buy a new workstation or the most updated Office software license every couple of months or years, and hello to a low recurring monthly fee you can always plan for—and cancel when you no longer have any use for it (such as an employee leaving your company). 

Surface as a Service is a new way to continually outfit your company with the latest hardware and software without large outlays of cash every few years. More than just financial convenience, always running the latest hardware and software defends from most cyberthreats (since every major cyber attack for years has exploited out of date hardware or software). It’s also critical to your business’ ability to stay competitive.

Surface as a Service and Microsoft 365 really is a complete IT solution for most businesses. If you want to learn how to implement this comprehensive solution in your own organization, reach out to one of the Protected Trust experts. 

Or, watch Protected Trust team members Ingram and Steve discuss Surface as a Service and Microsoft 365 in one of our livestreams! 

Here at Protected Trust, we love the Microsoft Surface. We use them ourselves as our primary work devices—and have come to enjoy them so much that we recommend them to our valuable customers for a broad array of applications. We even have a massive 84” Surface Hub in our office that we use for everything from collaborative company-wide projects to presentations. 

Here at Protected Trust, we love the Microsoft Surface. We use them ourselves as our primary work devices—and have come to enjoy them so much that we recommend them to our valuable customers for a broad array of applications. We even have a massive 84” Surface Hub in our office that we use for everything from collaborative company-wide projects to presentations. 

We’re here to further explain how using Surface as a Service with Microsoft 365 is a valuable, comprehensive IT solution that can transform your business. Let’s get started. 

The Power of the Subscription Model

When using Surface as a Service and Microsoft 365 together, there are no upfront software and hardware costs—just one low monthly fee per user. Subscription models ensure your Office software is always up to date with no additional expenses or the need to be aware that a new version exists in the first place, download it, and manually install it on your devices.

For example, when using a subscription-based software such as Microsoft 365 for Business on your Surface device, the newest security measures and creative features will be automatically updated and available to use as soon as they’re rolled out—minus any additional expenses or effort on your part.

Say Hello to a New Way of Doing IT

At Protected Trust, we often say we’re a cloud-first company, but it’s probably more accurate to say we’re cloud architects. Our goal is to move businesses into a cloud configured for their unique needs that makes it possible to untether from the physical world. We make businesses invincible. If you have a computer and an internet connection, you can access your individual user account and keep getting work done, no matter what happens.

Microsoft 365 (not to be confused with just Office 365) is Windows, Office, security, and workstation management all in one. Instead of buying all of these things separately and manually updating them occasionally, you simply pay a monthly fee and gain peace of mind that everything is always up to date (which is the most secure way to run your business). It allows you to not just keep your file server in the cloud, but each individual user’s workstation as well. When implemented properly (which we can also help with!), it can give even small businesses enterprise-grade device management. 

Why Surface Versus all the Other Workstation Options?

Microsoft products work on practically any device you could imagine. However, the Surface is the only device actually made by Microsoft developed alongside Windows and Office 365. New features and updates will always work on your Surface—because they were made to. 

To learn more about how valuable this pairing can be for your business, read about how using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on a Surface device can maximize your ROI compared to using 365 on a third-party device in our blog. Here are a few key takeaways: 

\n
• Employees more than doubled productivity when it comes to communication, information sharing, and business workflows  when using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on a Surface device, compared to using the software on a different piece of hardware.
\n
• Senior leadership was able to reach key business decisions 21% faster when using Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface, compared to only 18% when using it on other devices.
\n
• IT saved 2.5 hours per application provisioning request and over 25 minutes configuring each Surface device compared to other devices.
\n

Now Imagine...

IT becoming something you can mostly do yourself. Imagine if bringing on a new hire was as easy as setting up a Microsoft 365 user for them, handing them a Surface device and their Microsoft login, and the employee being able to take it from there? 

Say goodbye to downloading disk images and hello to all your business applications being automatically installed once the user logs in. Say goodbye to having to buy a new workstation or the most updated Office software license every couple of months or years, and hello to a low recurring monthly fee you can always plan for—and cancel when you no longer have any use for it (such as an employee leaving your company). 

Surface as a Service is a new way to continually outfit your company with the latest hardware and software without large outlays of cash every few years. More than just financial convenience, always running the latest hardware and software defends from most cyberthreats (since every major cyber attack for years has exploited out of date hardware or software). It’s also critical to your business’ ability to stay competitive.

Surface as a Service and Microsoft 365 really is a complete IT solution for most businesses. If you want to learn how to implement this comprehensive solution in your own organization, reach out to one of the Protected Trust experts. 

Or, watch Protected Trust team members Ingram and Steve discuss Surface as a Service and Microsoft 365 in one of our livestreams! 

Here at Protected Trust, we love the Microsoft Surface. We use them ourselves as our primary work devices—and have come to enjoy them so much that we recommend them to our valuable customers for a broad array of applications. We even have a massive 84” Surface Hub in our office that we use for everything from collaborative company-wide projects to presentations. 

Your organization can experience numerous benefits when using Microsoft 365 software on Surface devices, such as enhanced collaboration, mobility, and security.

Your organization can experience numerous benefits when using Microsoft 365 software on Surface devices, such as enhanced collaboration, mobility, and security.

However, in today’s world full of digital clutter, it can be difficult to determine which tools and technologies you should actually be investing in. While a laundry list of features can certainly help you understand what a particular product does, as a business owner, you’re probably most concerned with how those benefits will affect your bottom line (and if that impact over time is worth the investment now).

So, to actually quantify the benefits of using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on Microsoft Surface devices, Forrester Consulting recently conducted a Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) study. The goal of the study was to examine the potential return on investment (ROI) that organizations may realize after implementing this hardware and software together.

To provide an accurate and comprehensive understanding of this potential ROI, Forrester interviewed and surveyed industry analysts, Microsoft stakeholders, and hundreds of customers across seven countries currently using Microsoft 365 on Surface. Here are a few key takeaways from the study so you can maximize your own ROI from Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface, too.

Key Financial Takeaways

Let’s get right down to it. What you’re probably most interested in here is the financial impact that using Microsoft Surface devices powered by Microsoft 365 Enterprise can have on your organization. Organizations that leverage these tools have, on average, the following three-year financial impact:

\n
• $21.06 million in benefits vs. costs of $9.93 million, which resulted in a;
\n
• Net present value (NPV) of $11.13 million and;
\n
• ROI of 112%.
\n

The study also found that the payback period of an investment in Microsoft 365 Enterprise on Surface devices is 16 months. This is the period of time required to recoup the initial cost of the investment—the “break even” point. Once you’ve reached this point, your investment will actually become profitable.

How Using Microsoft 365 on Surface Devices Adds Value to Your Business

Microsoft 365 is a powerful and valuable tool on its own—but this software was specifically designed to be used on Surface hardware. Therefore, when used together as intended, its business advantages are amplified. Here are a few key benefits you’ll experience through this investment.

Enhanced Collaboration and Creativity

\n
• When using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on a Surface device, employees more than doubled productivity when it comes to communication, information sharing, and business workflows compared to using the software on a different piece of hardware.
\n
• Employees gained nearly five hours in productive time each week by using Microsoft 365 on Surface.
\n
• 80% of customers surveyed believe using Microsoft Surface and Microsoft 365 together helped them be more creative in their job.
\n

Streamlined Processes

\n
• Using the creative features and capabilities of Surface and Microsoft 365 together (such as Pen, 3D in PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams), employees saved an average of 27 minutes per day on creative tasks and processes.
\n
• Organizations were able to effectively eliminate many of the inefficiencies that often hinder teamwork—saving employees over three hours each week on tasks and processes that require collaboration.
\n
• Decision making by senior leadership happened 21% faster when using Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface, compared to only 18% when using it on other devices.
\n

Time and Cost Savings

\n
• Organizations were able to reduce the overhead costs associated with product development by 11% thanks to the task prioritization, research and development (R&D) collaboration, and improved data management and analytics capabilities that Microsoft 365 on Surface offers.
\n
• IT saved 2.5 hours per application provisioning request and 25+ minutes configuring each Surface device compared to other devices.
\n
• After pairing Microsoft 365 with Surface devices, many organizations surveyed no longer had the need for many of the third-party technologies and devices they were previously using—eliminating their continuous use and IT support costs.
\n

Improved Security and Reliability

\n
• By leveraging the two-factor authentication, advanced threat analytics, and Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM) provided by Microsoft 365 and Surface, organizations experienced 50% fewer security breaches annually.
\n
• With 50% fewer breaches, security breach remediation costs were also reduced by 80%.
\n
• Thanks to the self-service capabilities from EMS to administer password resets, the volume of help desk calls for password resets were reduced by over 86%.
\n

Microsoft 365 on Surface Devices: Your Key to a Satisfied Staff

By boosting productivity, streamlining inefficiencies, fostering stronger communication, and enabling secure business mobility, Microsoft 365 on Surface can transform the way you do business. However, these benefits don’t just affect your bottom line and day-to-day business activities—they affect your people, too.

Your people are the core of your organization. Without them, it would be incredibly difficult to deliver on client expectations and keep your business moving forward. Therefore, you need happy, engaged, and loyal employees to bring in revenue and continue growing.

So, here are three key stats from the study that prove just how big of an impact using Microsoft 365 on Surface devices will have on your employees:

\n
• 76% of survey respondents claim this investment improved employee retention in their organization—helping them save on costly turnover expenses.
\n
• 75% believe it increased employee satisfaction—enabling them to keep the top talent they need.
\n
• 71% think that using Microsoft 365 and Surface helped to position their organization as a top employer—a key to attracting top future employees
\n

The Bottom Line

Effective leaders are constantly looking for tools that will transform their workplace for better collaboration, productivity, and creativity. Today’s IT executives want to ensure those tools are secure and reliable. Modern employees want to be engaged, satisfied, and able to work remotely and while they’re on-the-go. Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface checks off all of these boxes!

Are you already a Microsoft 365 Enterprise on Surface user looking to further maximize your ROI? Are you not leveraging these valuable tools yet, but ready to get started implementing them in your business? Reach out to the experts at Protected Trust today to learn how you can make the most of your investment in Microsoft.

Your organization can experience numerous benefits when using Microsoft 365 software on Surface devices, such as enhanced collaboration, mobility, and security.

However, in today’s world full of digital clutter, it can be difficult to determine which tools and technologies you should actually be investing in. While a laundry list of features can certainly help you understand what a particular product does, as a business owner, you’re probably most concerned with how those benefits will affect your bottom line (and if that impact over time is worth the investment now).

So, to actually quantify the benefits of using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on Microsoft Surface devices, Forrester Consulting recently conducted a Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) study. The goal of the study was to examine the potential return on investment (ROI) that organizations may realize after implementing this hardware and software together.

To provide an accurate and comprehensive understanding of this potential ROI, Forrester interviewed and surveyed industry analysts, Microsoft stakeholders, and hundreds of customers across seven countries currently using Microsoft 365 on Surface. Here are a few key takeaways from the study so you can maximize your own ROI from Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface, too.

Key Financial Takeaways

Let’s get right down to it. What you’re probably most interested in here is the financial impact that using Microsoft Surface devices powered by Microsoft 365 Enterprise can have on your organization. Organizations that leverage these tools have, on average, the following three-year financial impact:

\n
• $21.06 million in benefits vs. costs of $9.93 million, which resulted in a;
\n
• Net present value (NPV) of $11.13 million and;
\n
• ROI of 112%.
\n

The study also found that the payback period of an investment in Microsoft 365 Enterprise on Surface devices is 16 months. This is the period of time required to recoup the initial cost of the investment—the “break even” point. Once you’ve reached this point, your investment will actually become profitable.

How Using Microsoft 365 on Surface Devices Adds Value to Your Business

Microsoft 365 is a powerful and valuable tool on its own—but this software was specifically designed to be used on Surface hardware. Therefore, when used together as intended, its business advantages are amplified. Here are a few key benefits you’ll experience through this investment.

Enhanced Collaboration and Creativity

\n
• When using Microsoft 365 Enterprise on a Surface device, employees more than doubled productivity when it comes to communication, information sharing, and business workflows compared to using the software on a different piece of hardware.
\n
• Employees gained nearly five hours in productive time each week by using Microsoft 365 on Surface.
\n
• 80% of customers surveyed believe using Microsoft Surface and Microsoft 365 together helped them be more creative in their job.
\n

Streamlined Processes

\n
• Using the creative features and capabilities of Surface and Microsoft 365 together (such as Pen, 3D in PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams), employees saved an average of 27 minutes per day on creative tasks and processes.
\n
• Organizations were able to effectively eliminate many of the inefficiencies that often hinder teamwork—saving employees over three hours each week on tasks and processes that require collaboration.
\n
• Decision making by senior leadership happened 21% faster when using Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface, compared to only 18% when using it on other devices.
\n

Time and Cost Savings

\n
• Organizations were able to reduce the overhead costs associated with product development by 11% thanks to the task prioritization, research and development (R&D) collaboration, and improved data management and analytics capabilities that Microsoft 365 on Surface offers.
\n
• IT saved 2.5 hours per application provisioning request and 25+ minutes configuring each Surface device compared to other devices.
\n
• After pairing Microsoft 365 with Surface devices, many organizations surveyed no longer had the need for many of the third-party technologies and devices they were previously using—eliminating their continuous use and IT support costs.
\n

Improved Security and Reliability

\n
• By leveraging the two-factor authentication, advanced threat analytics, and Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM) provided by Microsoft 365 and Surface, organizations experienced 50% fewer security breaches annually.
\n
• With 50% fewer breaches, security breach remediation costs were also reduced by 80%.
\n
• Thanks to the self-service capabilities from EMS to administer password resets, the volume of help desk calls for password resets were reduced by over 86%.
\n

Microsoft 365 on Surface Devices: Your Key to a Satisfied Staff

By boosting productivity, streamlining inefficiencies, fostering stronger communication, and enabling secure business mobility, Microsoft 365 on Surface can transform the way you do business. However, these benefits don’t just affect your bottom line and day-to-day business activities—they affect your people, too.

Your people are the core of your organization. Without them, it would be incredibly difficult to deliver on client expectations and keep your business moving forward. Therefore, you need happy, engaged, and loyal employees to bring in revenue and continue growing.

So, here are three key stats from the study that prove just how big of an impact using Microsoft 365 on Surface devices will have on your employees:

\n
• 76% of survey respondents claim this investment improved employee retention in their organization—helping them save on costly turnover expenses.
\n
• 75% believe it increased employee satisfaction—enabling them to keep the top talent they need.
\n
• 71% think that using Microsoft 365 and Surface helped to position their organization as a top employer—a key to attracting top future employees
\n

The Bottom Line

Effective leaders are constantly looking for tools that will transform their workplace for better collaboration, productivity, and creativity. Today’s IT executives want to ensure those tools are secure and reliable. Modern employees want to be engaged, satisfied, and able to work remotely and while they’re on-the-go. Microsoft 365 Enterprise with Microsoft Surface checks off all of these boxes!

Are you already a Microsoft 365 Enterprise on Surface user looking to further maximize your ROI? Are you not leveraging these valuable tools yet, but ready to get started implementing them in your business? Reach out to the experts at Protected Trust today to learn how you can make the most of your investment in Microsoft.

Your organization can experience numerous benefits when using Microsoft 365 software on Surface devices, such as enhanced collaboration, mobility, and security.

In today’s digitally-driven business world, mobility is crucial. As remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies become more commonplace, it’s hard to do business if you aren’t able to effectively work from various devices and locations.

So, wouldn’t it be beneficial if you had the power to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues without needing your computer? Your answer should be “Yes!”

Microsoft Teams is innovating  every day to create collaboration and communication experiences that naturally extend to your mobile devices. If you’re traveling, working remotely, or simply on-the-go on a business day, you may not have your laptop handy—but we bet your cell phone is always on you.  

That’s why, as Microsoft releases new capabilities into Teams for desktop use, they’re also ensuring that the Teams mobile app is able to meet your daily communications needs, too. Below are a few features in the Teams mobile app focused on helping you call and meet with coworkers and clients alike.

Elevate Meetings and Calling Experiences

The Teams mobile app includes numerous features that enable you to have seamless, higher-quality meetings and calls. When you are able to communicate without inefficiencies and technical difficulties, business can keep moving forward!

Join Calls and Meetings

Initiate, receive, or join 1:1 calls and scheduled meetings via audio with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video, or phone* with internal team members or others outside your organization. If you need to add more participants to an ongoing conversation, the Teams mobile app allows you to search for additional members or enter a phone number to join a call or meetings.

*Note: requires Phone System and/or Audio Conferencing

Share Content and Control Presentations

Share your iPhone or iPad screen, images, or live video stream with others meeting attendees. Additionally, attendees can view presentations or request control to be able to advance slides themselves. Alternatively, they can view the presentation in a private mode and skip ahead. You can also share an Android screen and files from cloud storage apps including OneDrive and SharePoint directly in the mobile app.

Transfer Calls and Configure Call Forwarding and Simultaneous Ring Settings

Once in a call, you can seamlessly transfer individual calls to another team member or a phone number. You can also configure call forwarding and simultaneous ring settings in the mobile app to ensure you never miss an important call.

Check Your Voicemail

Retrieve all voicemail messages and transcripts* so you can stay on top of important messages. You can also configure your settings and change your voicemail greeting directly in the mobile app.

*Note: requires a license to Phone System in Office 365

Experience Network and Battery Optimization

There are a few intelligent features within the Teams mobile app for network and battery optimization that help improve your overall calling and meeting experiences. You can rest assured that when you're connecting and communicating with others, the Teams mobile app will provide you the best possible experience.

Bandwidth Optimization

It’s happened to everyone: you’re in an important meeting when your call gets dropped or you can’t hear anything due to a poor network connection. Avoid this frustration with the Teams mobile app! If you happen to have a shaky internet connection while in a meeting, the app gives you the option to send a ‘Call me back’ note with an alternative number you’ve set or to re-join via a phone call. Additionally, Teams will prompt with you with the option to switch from video to audio, allowing you to continue the conversation with high-quality audio when video isn’t available.

Battery Optimization

Teams proactively monitors your battery life and gives you options to reduce battery consumption levels. During a meeting, Teams will prompt you to switch from video to audio mode and also provides you the option to turn off all incoming video from others if you’re running low on battery. This way, if you’re traveling or on-the-go and don’t have a charger handy, you can optimize your battery life.

Do you think your business would benefit from these calling and meeting features within the Teams mobile app? Try them out for yourself by downloading the app in the iTunes App Store, Android App Store, or Google Play store.

If you already have an Office 365 account, once you install the app and sign in, the information from your Teams desktop app will automatically sync to the mobile app. If you aren’t currently a Microsoft Teams user but want to try out the app before making a purchase decision, you can sign up for a free trial!

The Teams mobile app can your key to mobility in our modern business world. We’re ready to help you effectively implement this tool so you can get the most out of its valuable features. If you’re ready to implement the Teams mobile app in your business, contact one of the Protected Trust experts today!

In today’s digitally-driven business world, mobility is crucial. As remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies become more commonplace, it’s hard to do business if you aren’t able to effectively work from various devices and locations.

So, wouldn’t it be beneficial if you had the power to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues without needing your computer? Your answer should be “Yes!”

Microsoft Teams is innovating  every day to create collaboration and communication experiences that naturally extend to your mobile devices. If you’re traveling, working remotely, or simply on-the-go on a business day, you may not have your laptop handy—but we bet your cell phone is always on you.  

That’s why, as Microsoft releases new capabilities into Teams for desktop use, they’re also ensuring that the Teams mobile app is able to meet your daily communications needs, too. Below are a few features in the Teams mobile app focused on helping you call and meet with coworkers and clients alike.

In today’s digitally-driven business world, mobility is crucial. As remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies become more commonplace, it’s hard to do business if you aren’t able to effectively work from various devices and locations.

So, wouldn’t it be beneficial if you had the power to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues without needing your computer? Your answer should be “Yes!”

Microsoft Teams is innovating  every day to create collaboration and communication experiences that naturally extend to your mobile devices. If you’re traveling, working remotely, or simply on-the-go on a business day, you may not have your laptop handy—but we bet your cell phone is always on you.  

That’s why, as Microsoft releases new capabilities into Teams for desktop use, they’re also ensuring that the Teams mobile app is able to meet your daily communications needs, too. Below are a few features in the Teams mobile app focused on helping you call and meet with coworkers and clients alike.

Elevate Meetings and Calling Experiences

The Teams mobile app includes numerous features that enable you to have seamless, higher-quality meetings and calls. When you are able to communicate without inefficiencies and technical difficulties, business can keep moving forward!

Join Calls and Meetings

Initiate, receive, or join 1:1 calls and scheduled meetings via audio with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video, or phone* with internal team members or others outside your organization. If you need to add more participants to an ongoing conversation, the Teams mobile app allows you to search for additional members or enter a phone number to join a call or meetings.

*Note: requires Phone System and/or Audio Conferencing

Share Content and Control Presentations

Share your iPhone or iPad screen, images, or live video stream with others meeting attendees. Additionally, attendees can view presentations or request control to be able to advance slides themselves. Alternatively, they can view the presentation in a private mode and skip ahead. You can also share an Android screen and files from cloud storage apps including OneDrive and SharePoint directly in the mobile app.

Transfer Calls and Configure Call Forwarding and Simultaneous Ring Settings

Once in a call, you can seamlessly transfer individual calls to another team member or a phone number. You can also configure call forwarding and simultaneous ring settings in the mobile app to ensure you never miss an important call.

Check Your Voicemail

Retrieve all voicemail messages and transcripts* so you can stay on top of important messages. You can also configure your settings and change your voicemail greeting directly in the mobile app.

*Note: requires a license to Phone System in Office 365

Experience Network and Battery Optimization

There are a few intelligent features within the Teams mobile app for network and battery optimization that help improve your overall calling and meeting experiences. You can rest assured that when you're connecting and communicating with others, the Teams mobile app will provide you the best possible experience.

Bandwidth Optimization

It’s happened to everyone: you’re in an important meeting when your call gets dropped or you can’t hear anything due to a poor network connection. Avoid this frustration with the Teams mobile app! If you happen to have a shaky internet connection while in a meeting, the app gives you the option to send a ‘Call me back’ note with an alternative number you’ve set or to re-join via a phone call. Additionally, Teams will prompt with you with the option to switch from video to audio, allowing you to continue the conversation with high-quality audio when video isn’t available.

Battery Optimization

Teams proactively monitors your battery life and gives you options to reduce battery consumption levels. During a meeting, Teams will prompt you to switch from video to audio mode and also provides you the option to turn off all incoming video from others if you’re running low on battery. This way, if you’re traveling or on-the-go and don’t have a charger handy, you can optimize your battery life.

Do you think your business would benefit from these calling and meeting features within the Teams mobile app? Try them out for yourself by downloading the app in the iTunes App Store, Android App Store, or Google Play store.

If you already have an Office 365 account, once you install the app and sign in, the information from your Teams desktop app will automatically sync to the mobile app. If you aren’t currently a Microsoft Teams user but want to try out the app before making a purchase decision, you can sign up for a free trial!

The Teams mobile app can your key to mobility in our modern business world. We’re ready to help you effectively implement this tool so you can get the most out of its valuable features. If you’re ready to implement the Teams mobile app in your business, contact one of the Protected Trust experts today!

In today’s digitally-driven business world, mobility is crucial. As remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies become more commonplace, it’s hard to do business if you aren’t able to effectively work from various devices and locations.

So, wouldn’t it be beneficial if you had the power to communicate and collaborate with your colleagues without needing your computer? Your answer should be “Yes!”

Microsoft Teams is innovating  every day to create collaboration and communication experiences that naturally extend to your mobile devices. If you’re traveling, working remotely, or simply on-the-go on a business day, you may not have your laptop handy—but we bet your cell phone is always on you.  

That’s why, as Microsoft releases new capabilities into Teams for desktop use, they’re also ensuring that the Teams mobile app is able to meet your daily communications needs, too. Below are a few features in the Teams mobile app focused on helping you call and meet with coworkers and clients alike.

\"The Cloud” has been making promises to me for a long time. A concept that debuted before it was ready, the term “The Cloud” was coined in 2006 and promised that my files would be easily accessible from any device and location. The specific device I was using wouldn’t matter—the Cloud claimed it would give me the same experience and capabilities whether I was on my desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

The problem is, these promises were made years before the technology needed to carry them out was created. The magic behind the idea was there, but it was nowhere near ready to run a business off of. So, for the past decade, we’ve been bombarded with marketing about how great the Cloud is going to make our lives. In reality, we’ve had to deal with its inefficiencies throughout the day-to-day operations of our businesses.

Something happened in the past few years, though. Encryption became the standard for internet communication, internet services got faster, cloud storage got cheaper, and the software caught up. Today, services like Office 365 aren’t just as good and secure as old-fashioned servers—they’ve transformed and elevated the way we connect, share, and do business.

It happened quickly, and today, there is essentially an endless list of software and Cloud options for the modern worker. At Protected Trust, for example, we use Surface devices paired with  Microsoft 365 software together to create a complete workstation IT solution—an appealing alternative to classic “managed IT” solutions.

What Does the Cloud Have to Do with the Surface Go?

The Surface Go is the smallest, most portable hybrid laptop/tablet device Microsoft currently offers. With prices ranging from $399 for the most basic model to over $1,000 for models bundled with LTE connectivity, there are options for every budget and need. Each Surface Go is powerful enough to run Windows 10 Pro and perform admirably as a workstation, but can also be used as a second, more portable device in tablet mode.

When using a Surface Go device equipped with LTE connectivity, I can even pull up files and documents through the Cloud without a Wi-Fi connection. This allows me to truly work from anywhere, even those places without a stable, high-speed internet connection. It also increases security when I’m not forced to have to connect to sketchy, spotty public Wi-Fi networks because I need to open a file. These public networks are often susceptible to a wide variety of cybersecurity risks, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, that can put my confidential data at risk.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been using my Surface Go as an accessory device along with my desktop computer. With Microsoft 365 fully implemented on both machines and seamlessly syncing my files to my account, I’m delighted to find there’s no hesitation when switching between devices. If I start something on my desktop, I can pull it up on the Go to continue my work from pretty much anywhere. And I do mean anywhere—not just laptop anywhere, but tablet anywhere.

Ultra-portables like the Surface Go are in a different class of portability. As an example, I was bringing some groceries into the office recently when I threw my Go into one of the bags to free up my hands. My existing laptop is so clunky and heavy that it would have immediately ripped the bag, fallen, and broken. It was in that exact moment that I thought to myself: “I’m glad this thing is so easy to carry.”

While it may sound trivial, having more options when it comes to stowing my computer away is very liberating. It means I'll be able to have it on me more often—even when I’m traveling on a plane, running errands, or working remotely. It out-portables a laptop and out-computers a tablet, making collaboration and mobility possible from any location.

How the Cloud Elevates Surface Go Devices

The experience of all your devices being continually synced to the Cloud is transformative in business. In a given day, I may use multiple devices including a desktop computer, a laptop, a Surface 2-in-1, and a Surface Hub. Why? The setting and situation that I’m in determines which device I want to use. Do I need a big screen? Will I be in a meeting? Will I be moving around? Am I working alone or with other people?

Now, I’m not limited—I don’t need to bring a certain device only because it has a document I need on it. I don’t need to waste valuable time manually sending that document to another device, either. I can simply determine which device I need for the task at hand and the environment I’m in without having to worry about which machine has what files on it. I can access them all from any of my various devices with ease, completely eliminating the need to base my hardware decisions on where a single file exists.

What I Use my Surface Go for

For a while now, the Surface Pro has been my go-to device any time I’m away from my desk. I enjoy using it when I need to read something lengthy, because sitting at my desk for an hour reading just doesn’t feel right. The multiple monitors in front of me provide too much distraction, but being able to take a small device to a couch or park and settling in means I’m more focused, and better yet, more comfortable! In my time with the Surface Go, I've found it to be even better at being, pardon the pun, on-the-go.

I can take notes on what I’m reading and stay connected with my colleagues back in the office/ I also have access to a full-featured PC that can address nearly any need that comes up in a day. My Surface Go gives me access to everything I have on-hand at my desk (well, except for my mini-fridge). This enables me to be away from my desk without being away from my work.

Having a full Windows 10 computer in a tiny, light, and portable 2-in-1 package is nearly as transformative as when laptops starting to become an alternative to desktops in the first place. Being able to have a full-on computer in more places with less hassle opens the door to unmatched business mobility! In a world full of remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, this has become essential for success.

Now that you’ve heard a first-hand success story about the Surface Go and learned a little bit about how I use this device myself, you may want to try it out too. At Protected Trust, we can help you build a modern digital workspace by implementing Surface devices equipped with Office 365 and Microsoft Teams software throughout your organization.

Are you ready to get started? Reach out to one of our experts today to see how a Surface Go can fulfill the promise of the Cloud for you, too.

\"The Cloud” has been making promises to me for a long time. A concept that debuted before it was ready, the term “The Cloud” was coined in 2006 and promised that my files would be easily accessible from any device and location. The specific device I was using wouldn’t matter—the Cloud claimed it would give me the same experience and capabilities whether I was on my desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

\"The Cloud” has been making promises to me for a long time. A concept that debuted before it was ready, the term “The Cloud” was coined in 2006 and promised that my files would be easily accessible from any device and location. The specific device I was using wouldn’t matter—the Cloud claimed it would give me the same experience and capabilities whether I was on my desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

The problem is, these promises were made years before the technology needed to carry them out was created. The magic behind the idea was there, but it was nowhere near ready to run a business off of. So, for the past decade, we’ve been bombarded with marketing about how great the Cloud is going to make our lives. In reality, we’ve had to deal with its inefficiencies throughout the day-to-day operations of our businesses.

Something happened in the past few years, though. Encryption became the standard for internet communication, internet services got faster, cloud storage got cheaper, and the software caught up. Today, services like Office 365 aren’t just as good and secure as old-fashioned servers—they’ve transformed and elevated the way we connect, share, and do business.

It happened quickly, and today, there is essentially an endless list of software and Cloud options for the modern worker. At Protected Trust, for example, we use Surface devices paired with  Microsoft 365 software together to create a complete workstation IT solution—an appealing alternative to classic “managed IT” solutions.

What Does the Cloud Have to Do with the Surface Go?

The Surface Go is the smallest, most portable hybrid laptop/tablet device Microsoft currently offers. With prices ranging from $399 for the most basic model to over $1,000 for models bundled with LTE connectivity, there are options for every budget and need. Each Surface Go is powerful enough to run Windows 10 Pro and perform admirably as a workstation, but can also be used as a second, more portable device in tablet mode.

When using a Surface Go device equipped with LTE connectivity, I can even pull up files and documents through the Cloud without a Wi-Fi connection. This allows me to truly work from anywhere, even those places without a stable, high-speed internet connection. It also increases security when I’m not forced to have to connect to sketchy, spotty public Wi-Fi networks because I need to open a file. These public networks are often susceptible to a wide variety of cybersecurity risks, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, that can put my confidential data at risk.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been using my Surface Go as an accessory device along with my desktop computer. With Microsoft 365 fully implemented on both machines and seamlessly syncing my files to my account, I’m delighted to find there’s no hesitation when switching between devices. If I start something on my desktop, I can pull it up on the Go to continue my work from pretty much anywhere. And I do mean anywhere—not just laptop anywhere, but tablet anywhere.

Ultra-portables like the Surface Go are in a different class of portability. As an example, I was bringing some groceries into the office recently when I threw my Go into one of the bags to free up my hands. My existing laptop is so clunky and heavy that it would have immediately ripped the bag, fallen, and broken. It was in that exact moment that I thought to myself: “I’m glad this thing is so easy to carry.”

While it may sound trivial, having more options when it comes to stowing my computer away is very liberating. It means I'll be able to have it on me more often—even when I’m traveling on a plane, running errands, or working remotely. It out-portables a laptop and out-computers a tablet, making collaboration and mobility possible from any location.

How the Cloud Elevates Surface Go Devices

The experience of all your devices being continually synced to the Cloud is transformative in business. In a given day, I may use multiple devices including a desktop computer, a laptop, a Surface 2-in-1, and a Surface Hub. Why? The setting and situation that I’m in determines which device I want to use. Do I need a big screen? Will I be in a meeting? Will I be moving around? Am I working alone or with other people?

Now, I’m not limited—I don’t need to bring a certain device only because it has a document I need on it. I don’t need to waste valuable time manually sending that document to another device, either. I can simply determine which device I need for the task at hand and the environment I’m in without having to worry about which machine has what files on it. I can access them all from any of my various devices with ease, completely eliminating the need to base my hardware decisions on where a single file exists.

What I Use my Surface Go for

For a while now, the Surface Pro has been my go-to device any time I’m away from my desk. I enjoy using it when I need to read something lengthy, because sitting at my desk for an hour reading just doesn’t feel right. The multiple monitors in front of me provide too much distraction, but being able to take a small device to a couch or park and settling in means I’m more focused, and better yet, more comfortable! In my time with the Surface Go, I've found it to be even better at being, pardon the pun, on-the-go.

I can take notes on what I’m reading and stay connected with my colleagues back in the office/ I also have access to a full-featured PC that can address nearly any need that comes up in a day. My Surface Go gives me access to everything I have on-hand at my desk (well, except for my mini-fridge). This enables me to be away from my desk without being away from my work.

Having a full Windows 10 computer in a tiny, light, and portable 2-in-1 package is nearly as transformative as when laptops starting to become an alternative to desktops in the first place. Being able to have a full-on computer in more places with less hassle opens the door to unmatched business mobility! In a world full of remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, this has become essential for success.

Now that you’ve heard a first-hand success story about the Surface Go and learned a little bit about how I use this device myself, you may want to try it out too. At Protected Trust, we can help you build a modern digital workspace by implementing Surface devices equipped with Office 365 and Microsoft Teams software throughout your organization.

Are you ready to get started? Reach out to one of our experts today to see how a Surface Go can fulfill the promise of the Cloud for you, too.

\"The Cloud” has been making promises to me for a long time. A concept that debuted before it was ready, the term “The Cloud” was coined in 2006 and promised that my files would be easily accessible from any device and location. The specific device I was using wouldn’t matter—the Cloud claimed it would give me the same experience and capabilities whether I was on my desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

In this episode of “How to Office 365,” we’re taking a look at the Teams mobile app. With this mobile app, leveraging the collaboration features of Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with your coworkers and access shared files becomes easier than ever.

Here are the basics of the Teams mobile app and its features that can provide immense value to your business!

Overview of the Microsoft Teams Mobile App

The days of lugging around your laptop when you are away from the office are over. Originally released to be used exclusively on desktop devices, Microsoft Teams is now also available as an app on iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices!

All you need to do is download the free app from the iOS App Store, Windows Store for Windows Phone, or Android Play. However, to use the app long-term, you need to have a paid Office 365 commercial subscription.

If you already have an Office 365 account, once you install the app and sign in, the information from your Teams desktop app will automatically sync to the mobile app.

If you aren’t currently a Microsoft Teams user and want to try out the app before making a decision, you can sign up for a free trial to get a feel for it before making a purchase decision.

Through the Teams mobile app, you can access all your contacts, content, conversations, and apps, as well as join meetings right from your mobile device. This makes it possible to access what you need to get your job done from any location at any time—whether you’re working remotely, traveling for business, or simply don’t have your computer handy.

Features of the Microsoft Teams Mobile App

The Teams Mobile app has all of the important features of the desktop version (except for desktop screen sharing), including:

\n
• Recent activity workflow. Conversations you are mentioned in, projects you are tagged on, and comments you’ve made that have been replied to are conveniently displayed in your “recent activity” workflow. This way, you can find your most recent mentions and comments quickly without having to dig through email chains and old messages.
\n
• Private chat. Start direct chats between you and another employee, or group chats with multiple employees. These chats are not able to be seen by the rest of the channel or organization.
\n
• Team chat. Everyone that is a member of a designated channel will be able to see and respond to these digital conversations.
\n
• File access. Any documents stored in your team site will be accessible from your mobile device. This makes it possible to pull up document or project even if you don’t have your laptop handy or are at your desktop computer.
\n
• Calendar access and reminders. Teams has two-way sync capabilities between the app and your Outlook calendar. With the mobile app, you’ll be able to pull up your calendar so you never miss a meeting or task, even when you’re on-the-go. You can even set up notifications and reminders on your phone to alert you when you have an upcoming event.
\n
• Phone integration. On the Teams mobile app, you’ll be able to make and receive calls from your work number on your personal cell phone. This can help with privacy, especially if you’re making calls to clients and customers outside of your organization who you may not want to give your personal phone number to.
\n
• Meetings. Team members can schedule meetings with an entire channel or one individual right from the mobile app. Once it’s meeting time, they can call in through the mobile app without needing to open another third-party app.
\n

The Teams mobile app can be a key component of building a modern digital workplace built on an ecosystem of Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform. When team members can communicate and collaborate, meet right from the mobile devices they already have and use so frequently, it will enhance mobility and productivity for your entire business.

At Protected Trust, our mission is to simplify technology while empowering people to communicate so they can achieve their greatest potential from anywhere on the planet. We believe the Teams mobile app can help make this possible!

If you’re ready to start utilizing the Teams mobile app in your business, reach out to one of the PT experts for guidance and support today!

In this episode of “How to Office 365,” we’re taking a look at the Teams mobile app. With this mobile app, leveraging the collaboration features of Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with your coworkers and access shared files becomes easier than ever.

In this episode of “How to Office 365,” we’re taking a look at the Teams mobile app. With this mobile app, leveraging the collaboration features of Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with your coworkers and access shared files becomes easier than ever.

Here are the basics of the Teams mobile app and its features that can provide immense value to your business!

Overview of the Microsoft Teams Mobile App

The days of lugging around your laptop when you are away from the office are over. Originally released to be used exclusively on desktop devices, Microsoft Teams is now also available as an app on iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices!

All you need to do is download the free app from the iOS App Store, Windows Store for Windows Phone, or Android Play. However, to use the app long-term, you need to have a paid Office 365 commercial subscription.

If you already have an Office 365 account, once you install the app and sign in, the information from your Teams desktop app will automatically sync to the mobile app.

If you aren’t currently a Microsoft Teams user and want to try out the app before making a decision, you can sign up for a free trial to get a feel for it before making a purchase decision.

Through the Teams mobile app, you can access all your contacts, content, conversations, and apps, as well as join meetings right from your mobile device. This makes it possible to access what you need to get your job done from any location at any time—whether you’re working remotely, traveling for business, or simply don’t have your computer handy.

Features of the Microsoft Teams Mobile App

The Teams Mobile app has all of the important features of the desktop version (except for desktop screen sharing), including:

\n
• Recent activity workflow. Conversations you are mentioned in, projects you are tagged on, and comments you’ve made that have been replied to are conveniently displayed in your “recent activity” workflow. This way, you can find your most recent mentions and comments quickly without having to dig through email chains and old messages.
\n
• Private chat. Start direct chats between you and another employee, or group chats with multiple employees. These chats are not able to be seen by the rest of the channel or organization.
\n
• Team chat. Everyone that is a member of a designated channel will be able to see and respond to these digital conversations.
\n
• File access. Any documents stored in your team site will be accessible from your mobile device. This makes it possible to pull up document or project even if you don’t have your laptop handy or are at your desktop computer.
\n
• Calendar access and reminders. Teams has two-way sync capabilities between the app and your Outlook calendar. With the mobile app, you’ll be able to pull up your calendar so you never miss a meeting or task, even when you’re on-the-go. You can even set up notifications and reminders on your phone to alert you when you have an upcoming event.
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• Phone integration. On the Teams mobile app, you’ll be able to make and receive calls from your work number on your personal cell phone. This can help with privacy, especially if you’re making calls to clients and customers outside of your organization who you may not want to give your personal phone number to.
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• Meetings. Team members can schedule meetings with an entire channel or one individual right from the mobile app. Once it’s meeting time, they can call in through the mobile app without needing to open another third-party app.
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The Teams mobile app can be a key component of building a modern digital workplace built on an ecosystem of Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform. When team members can communicate and collaborate, meet right from the mobile devices they already have and use so frequently, it will enhance mobility and productivity for your entire business.

At Protected Trust, our mission is to simplify technology while empowering people to communicate so they can achieve their greatest potential from anywhere on the planet. We believe the Teams mobile app can help make this possible!

If you’re ready to start utilizing the Teams mobile app in your business, reach out to one of the PT experts for guidance and support today!

In this episode of “How to Office 365,” we’re taking a look at the Teams mobile app. With this mobile app, leveraging the collaboration features of Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with your coworkers and access shared files becomes easier than ever.

Over the past few years, the way people work has changed quite a bit. For the first time, we now have members of five different generations together in the workplace. Plus, more people are working remotely than ever before and are participating in twice as many teams.

So, when you have employees from various generations working from different locations on separate devices, how can you make collaboration simple?

To respond to these workplace changes and better support customer needs, Microsoft has evolved the ways we work with Office 365. One of the major changes is the way employees use Microsoft Teams. Previously, Teams was used primarily for meetings and chat, but it is now becoming the hub through which users interact with colleagues, clients, and core Office applications. Here a few ways how.

Millennials Continue to Drive Innovation and Change

Millennials have been the driving force behind many of the changes to the way we work. While they want to work remote and have the flexibility to use their own preferred devices, they also want to stay connected. After all, they are the generation that was raised on social media and hyperconnectivity. In response, the top collaboration and group chat tools continue to integrate functionality from social apps to appeal to Millennial workers.

But it is important to note that Millennials are no longer just younger workers. According to the 2018 Deloitte Millennial Survey, while the youngest Millennials are just turning 21, the oldest are approximately 40 years old. This means they’re now at the point in their careers where they’re stepping into more senior positions within their organizations.

They expect more than just functional tools—they’re looking for technology that enables transparency, better support for teams whose members increasingly work remotely, and faster access to the data, content, and tools they need to be more agile.

Microsoft has certainly been listening to their demands. By positioning Teams as a hub—and adding major integrations with third-party applications and improved connection between the core Office 365 applications—Microsoft aims to help organizations move beyond just improving collaboration and progress with their digital transformations.

Teams as the Hub for Collaboration

Microsoft Teams provides your employees with a secure place to brainstorm, create, collaborate, and keep projects moving forward as a cohesive unit. Having this hub for teamwork is a best practice for any organization in today’s modern, digitally-driven workforce. With so many employees working remotely and using their own hardware thanks to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, having a place to come together as a team has never been more vital.

Having this communication hub doesn’t just make your employees feel more connected socially—it drastically improves productivity. With built-in Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, your employees can work together on files simultaneously—even from different devices and locations. Suggestions and edits can be made in-real time, then Teams’ task management capabilities make files easily shareable with decision-makers who can then add edits and give final approval with just a few clicks.

This is a powerful alternative to lengthy email chains and third-party messaging platforms where important information can easily be missed. Your employees will always be working on the most up-to-date version of a document and won’t have to waste time searching for a file—meaning they can focus on tasks that generate value for your business.

Education and Support for Innovating with Teams

To get the most out of the enhancements to Office 365 and Teams, organizations need to ensure that the tools are properly implemented—but also need to make sure users are actually aware of their valuable features and know how to best use them in the context of their work. For many organizations, fully implementing Microsoft Teams will be an evolution over time rather than an immediate revolution.

Users need to understand the full breadth of Teams’ integrations—with both third-party and Microsoft apps— to achieve productivity gains. Users will also need to learn how to best employ integrations to improve their own workflows. This is harder than it sounds—in many organizations, the variety of applications being used can vary by team, department, and functional role. In addition, individual departments and teams typically have their own workflows.

For these reasons, to help get the most out of their investment in Office 365 and Teams, organizations should find a partner who can help them deploy the technology, educate their employees, and provide comprehensive support. Adopting Teams can be challenging—but having a partner who understands the technology, has experience adapting and developing new workflows, and can provide customizable training and support can transform this process into one that is simple and successful! Protected Trust is ready to be this partner!

For more information on the capabilities of Teams and what they’ll mean for your business,  check out this video overview. If you determine Teams is right for your business, reach out to one of our experts today to start a valuable partnership that will provide your teams with a new way to collaborate.

Over the past few years, the way people work has changed quite a bit. For the first time, we now have members of five different generations together in the workplace. Plus, more people are working remotely than ever before and are participating in twice as many teams.

Over the past few years, the way people work has changed quite a bit. For the first time, we now have members of five different generations together in the workplace. Plus, more people are working remotely than ever before and are participating in twice as many teams.

So, when you have employees from various generations working from different locations on separate devices, how can you make collaboration simple?

To respond to these workplace changes and better support customer needs, Microsoft has evolved the ways we work with Office 365. One of the major changes is the way employees use Microsoft Teams. Previously, Teams was used primarily for meetings and chat, but it is now becoming the hub through which users interact with colleagues, clients, and core Office applications. Here a few ways how.

Millennials Continue to Drive Innovation and Change

Millennials have been the driving force behind many of the changes to the way we work. While they want to work remote and have the flexibility to use their own preferred devices, they also want to stay connected. After all, they are the generation that was raised on social media and hyperconnectivity. In response, the top collaboration and group chat tools continue to integrate functionality from social apps to appeal to Millennial workers.

But it is important to note that Millennials are no longer just younger workers. According to the 2018 Deloitte Millennial Survey, while the youngest Millennials are just turning 21, the oldest are approximately 40 years old. This means they’re now at the point in their careers where they’re stepping into more senior positions within their organizations.

They expect more than just functional tools—they’re looking for technology that enables transparency, better support for teams whose members increasingly work remotely, and faster access to the data, content, and tools they need to be more agile.

Microsoft has certainly been listening to their demands. By positioning Teams as a hub—and adding major integrations with third-party applications and improved connection between the core Office 365 applications—Microsoft aims to help organizations move beyond just improving collaboration and progress with their digital transformations.

Teams as the Hub for Collaboration

Microsoft Teams provides your employees with a secure place to brainstorm, create, collaborate, and keep projects moving forward as a cohesive unit. Having this hub for teamwork is a best practice for any organization in today’s modern, digitally-driven workforce. With so many employees working remotely and using their own hardware thanks to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, having a place to come together as a team has never been more vital.

Having this communication hub doesn’t just make your employees feel more connected socially—it drastically improves productivity. With built-in Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, your employees can work together on files simultaneously—even from different devices and locations. Suggestions and edits can be made in-real time, then Teams’ task management capabilities make files easily shareable with decision-makers who can then add edits and give final approval with just a few clicks.

This is a powerful alternative to lengthy email chains and third-party messaging platforms where important information can easily be missed. Your employees will always be working on the most up-to-date version of a document and won’t have to waste time searching for a file—meaning they can focus on tasks that generate value for your business.

Education and Support for Innovating with Teams

To get the most out of the enhancements to Office 365 and Teams, organizations need to ensure that the tools are properly implemented—but also need to make sure users are actually aware of their valuable features and know how to best use them in the context of their work. For many organizations, fully implementing Microsoft Teams will be an evolution over time rather than an immediate revolution.

Users need to understand the full breadth of Teams’ integrations—with both third-party and Microsoft apps— to achieve productivity gains. Users will also need to learn how to best employ integrations to improve their own workflows. This is harder than it sounds—in many organizations, the variety of applications being used can vary by team, department, and functional role. In addition, individual departments and teams typically have their own workflows.

For these reasons, to help get the most out of their investment in Office 365 and Teams, organizations should find a partner who can help them deploy the technology, educate their employees, and provide comprehensive support. Adopting Teams can be challenging—but having a partner who understands the technology, has experience adapting and developing new workflows, and can provide customizable training and support can transform this process into one that is simple and successful! Protected Trust is ready to be this partner!

For more information on the capabilities of Teams and what they’ll mean for your business,  check out this video overview. If you determine Teams is right for your business, reach out to one of our experts today to start a valuable partnership that will provide your teams with a new way to collaborate.

Over the past few years, the way people work has changed quite a bit. For the first time, we now have members of five different generations together in the workplace. Plus, more people are working remotely than ever before and are participating in twice as many teams.