To support the increased workload demand from global IT support efforts due to increasing public safety concerns around coronavirus COVID-19, Microsoft recently announced the expansion of complimentary features in its collaborative communication platform, Microsoft Teams, in a recently-issued FAQ regarding remote support.

Increased functionality throughout all license types

Microsoft was seemingly proactive in anticipating spikes of users remote working by increasing complimentary functionality throughout various instances of their collaborative and communications platform.

Here’s a summary of what’s now available for free to all users:

• – Individual: Simply log in with your work credentials to get started with an Individual license. You’ll effectively be routed through the communal version of Teams, regardless if you don’t have a license. Those not on the cloud can access an on-premise version.
• – Group: IT Professionals can administer a full Teams environment with a six-month Office 365 E1 Trial offer.
• – Government: Federal governments and municipality environments are also eligible, with certain limitations.

Full Skype integration with Teams available by end of April

It was also reported that Microsoft will roll out Teams-Skype interoperability sometime this month, a highly anticipated feature that will bring together some of Microsoft’s best remote functionalities. It will be made first available to users on Office 365 and Microsoft 365, then eventually to the rest of the user base by May 1.