Microsoft Teams is more than a chat tool.  Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite, so it coordinates seamlessly with your calendar and OneDrive. You can communicate one-on-one or with ad hoc groups (similar to a group text message).  Conversations are persistent and are saved on the server like your email, so you can start a conversation through the Teams desktop app and continue the conversation through the mobile app on your phone.  You can also use Teams through a web browser.

Teams can show who among your co-workers is currently available to chat or collaborate. You can even create ‘channels’ for certain members of your department, and ‘chat groups’ for people in and out of your department.

Key Features of Teams

• Person-to-person communication
• Team-based collaboration
• Ad hoc groups
• Integration with the Microsoft 365 Suite
• Phone and video conferencing
• Persistent conversations
• Mobile apps
• Teams Phone Service

How to get Teams

If you already have a Microsoft 365 (UCI Exchange) account, you can already access Teams from your web browser or by installing the desktop or mobile app. (If you have an OIT-managed Desktop, you may already have Teams installed.)

Don’t have a Microsoft 365 account? See, “How do I sign up for Microsoft 365 Education?”