Microsoft yesterday introduced new features coming to Office 365 through the February Update. There are several changes made, including a new StaffHub Now tab, guest support on Microsoft Teams, and an improved Editor experience.
Starting with StaffHub Now, Microsoft has added a tab for Firstline Workers that can be used to see workday schedules and access resources. In its release notes, the company says the tab will streamline workday management.
Among the viewable items in the StaffHub Now tab are activities, notes, and scheduled breaks. Each item is presented in an easy to understand UI. StaffHub is a cloud-based service that brings work scheduling to users of Office 365. Users can request time off, schedule meetings, change shifts, and more.
The February Update for Office 365 also introduces a new Editor overview pane for Microsoft Word. With the feature, users have a set of tools that help the editing process and make completing work easier. During document editing, the new overview pane will present users with refinement, correcting, and styling tools.
Microsoft Word is also getting a resume creator through the latest update:
“Craft compelling resumes in Microsoft Word—Last November, we announced Resume Assistant, a new AI feature in Microsoft Word to help you craft a compelling resume with personalized insights powered by LinkedIn. This month, Resume Assistant began rolling out to Office 365 consumer and commercial subscribers on Windows. With over 80 percent of resumes updated in Word, Resume Assistant helps job seekers showcase accomplishments, be more easily discovered by recruiters, and find their ideal job.”
Finally for Office 365 subscribers, the February Update introduces guests on Microsoft Teams. Any users with an email address can enter Teams as a guest. Access is extensive and includes meetings, team chats, and files.
Admin Changes
Microsoft has also issued updates for Office 365 administrators, including:
Enforce naming conventions across Office 365 Groups—We introduced the ability for administrators to set naming policies for Office 365 Groups. This top requested feature allows organizations to enforce consistent naming structures and block specific words from being used. Naming policies are automatically applied when a user creates a new group, and can include dynamic attributes from Azure AD, such as department, office, or geographic region. This makes it easier for administrators to manage groups at scale, and for users to identify relevant Office 365 Groups in the global address list. Office 365 subscribers can try this feature for free while it is in public preview. For licensing details, visit Office 365 Support.
Create advanced network diagrams in Visio Online—Last year, we introduced Visio Online, a web-based version of the popular Microsoft diagramming tool. Starting this month, Visio Online now includes a variety of network topology and equipment shapes, giving administrators the tools to create detailed network diagrams and plan their IT environment. We also introduced new canvas capabilities like Dynamic Glue and Control Points, giving all users greater control over shape customization and making it easier to produce complex diagrams. Visit Visio Online Support to learn more.
Prepare for GDPR with new compliance capabilities—The European Union’s Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) goes into effect May 25, 2018 and sets a new precedent for data protection and compliance.
