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  • Microsoft 365 Org Explorer – Free for Enterprise Customers in 2025

    Microsoft 365 Org Explorer – Free for Enterprise Customers in 2025

    Are you familiar with Microsoft Viva’s Premium feature, “Org Explorer”? Microsoft has recently annouceed that it will be providing this feature free of charge to all enterprise customers in Outlook, designed to provide a comprehensive visualization of your company’s internal structure. This article delves into the capabilities of Org Explorer and its potential impact on your organization.

    Introduction to Org Explorer

    Org Explorer was initially introduced as a licensed feature within the Microsoft Viva platform. Microsoft Viva is a comprehensive employee experience platform that brings together communications, knowledge, learning, resources, and insights. Org Explorer was part of this suite, providing enterprise users with the ability to visualize and explore their company’s internal structure, teams, and people.

    The tool was available to enterprise users who had a Microsoft Viva license, and it was integrated into Outlook to help users understand reporting structures, identify key stakeholders, and improve collaboration across teams. The decision to include Org Explorer as part of the Microsoft Viva platform was driven by the need to provide organizations with a unified solution for employee experience and organizational management.

    However, recognizing the value that Org Explorer brings to a broader audience, Microsoft has now decided to make this feature available to all enterprise customers without requiring a Viva premium license.

    Availability and Rollout Schedule

    The rollout of Org Explorer is scheduled to commence in mid-January 2025 and is expected to be completed by mid-April 2025. The feature will be available across multiple platforms, including the new Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Web, and Outlook for Mac. Users of the classic Outlook will also receive this update, with the rollout concluding by early April 2025. It is advisable to transition to the new Outlook for Windows or Outlook for Web to gain early access to this feature.

    Impact on Organizational Operations

    Org Explorer is set to transform how organizations visualize and manage their internal structures. By integrating this tool into Outlook, users can easily access a visual representation of their company’s hierarchy. This feature is particularly useful for identifying reporting lines, understanding team dynamics, and locating key stakeholders within the organization.

    Benefits of Using Org Explorer

    1. Enhanced Organizational Visibility: Org Explorer provides a clear and detailed view of the company’s structure, which is essential for IT professionals managing multiple teams and projects. This visibility aids in better resource allocation and project management.
    2. Improved Collaboration: Understanding the roles and responsibilities of colleagues across different teams fosters better collaboration. Org Explorer helps identify the right contacts for specific tasks, streamlining communication and workflow.
    3. Streamlined Onboarding Process: For new employees, grasping the company’s structure can be challenging. Org Explorer simplifies this process by offering a visual representation of the organizational hierarchy, aiding new hires in understanding their place within the company.
    4. Informed Decision-Making: With a comprehensive view of the organizational structure, decision-makers can make more informed choices regarding team dynamics, resource distribution, and project prioritization. Org Explorer equips leaders with the necessary insights to lead their teams effectively.

    Conclusion

    Org Explorer is poised to be a valuable addition to Microsoft 365, offering organisations a powerful tool for visualizing organizational structures. By enhancing visibility, improving collaboration between end users in the organisation.

    Keep an eye out for the rollout starting in mid-January 2025, and prepare to leverage this tool to its fullest potential.

  • Driving value with Microsoft 365 Copilot

    One of the things that many business leaders have on their minds these days is how do we ensure the organisation drives value with Microsoft 365 CoPilot?

    As a Modern Workplace Consultant, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of Microsoft 365 Copilot. These advanced AI tool are revolutionizing the way we work, enhancing productivity, and driving value across organizations. However, to truly unlock its potential, it’s essential to focus on the need for user adoption and continuous training.

    Let me share my insights on why these elements are crucial and how they can support business users in maximizing their productivity.

    Enhancing Productivity with Microsoft 365 Copilot

    Microsoft 365 Copilot is a game-changer. It seamlessly integrates with the Microsoft 365 suite, leveraging machine learning and natural language processing to provide intelligent suggestions, automate routine tasks, and offer valuable insights. This collaborative tool works alongside users, augmenting their capabilities and enabling them to focus on more strategic activities.

    Imagine having an assistant that can draft emails, generate reports, and even schedule meetings for you. That’s what Microsoft 365 Copilot does. It can analyze large datasets to identify trends and patterns, providing insights that inform business strategies. By doing so, it helps users achieve more in less time, significantly enhancing productivity.

    The Importance of User Adoption

    Despite the incredible benefits of Microsoft 365 Copilot, its success hinges on user adoption. Without widespread acceptance and usage, the potential value of this AI tool remains untapped. That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize efforts to encourage user adoption.

    One effective strategy is to involve users in the implementation process from the beginning. By seeking their input and addressing their concerns, we can foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the new technology. Clear communication about the benefits of Microsoft 365 Copilot and how it can enhance their daily workload can also help alleviate any apprehensions users may have.

    Ensuring that the technology is user-friendly and intuitive is another critical aspect. While Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed to be easy to use, providing comprehensive onboarding and support is essential. This includes offering tutorials, user guides, and access to a dedicated support team to address any issues that may arise.

    Continuous Training: A Necessity

    Initial training is just the beginning. Microsoft 365 Copilot is an ever-evolving AI solution, and continuous training is crucial to ensure that users can fully leverage its capabilities as the technology advances and new features are introduced.

    Continuous training can take various forms, including regular workshops, webinars, and online courses. These sessions should be tailored to the specific needs of different user groups, ensuring that everyone, from novice users to advanced practitioners, can benefit. Encouraging a culture of learning, where users are motivated to stay updated with the latest developments and best practices related to Microsoft 365 Copilot, is also essential.

    Moreover, continuous training should focus on helping users integrate Microsoft 365 Copilot into their daily workflows effectively. This includes demonstrating real-world use cases and providing practical tips on how to use the tool to enhance productivity and drive value.

    Creating a Continuous Cycle of Adoption and Training

    To support the ever-changing nature of Microsoft 365 Copilot, it’s vital to establish a continuous cycle of adoption and training. This involves regularly assessing user needs, gathering feedback, and making necessary adjustments to the training programs. By doing so, we can ensure that users remain engaged and proficient in using the AI tool.

    Creating a feedback loop where users can share their experiences and suggestions for improvement is one approach. This feedback can then be used to refine the training programs and address any gaps or challenges that users may face. Celebrating successes and recognizing users who effectively leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot to drive value can also help reinforce positive behaviors and encourage others to follow suit.

    Conclusion

    Driving value with Microsoft 365 Copilot requires more than just implementing the technology; it necessitates a focus on user adoption and continuous training. By fostering a collaborative environment and providing ongoing support, we can ensure that business users are equipped to maximize their productivity and achieve their goals. As Microsoft 365 Copilot continues to evolve, a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation will be key to unlocking its full potential and driving sustained value for the organization.