Take advantage of these 4 new AI features in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based communication platform that allows you to chat, call, video conference, and collaborate with others. Its wide range of features includes video conferencing with up to 100 participants, live captions, recording and transcription of meetings, and screen sharing. It’s available on a variety of devices and is offered at various price plans for organizations.

Microsoft Teams Premium users, in particular, will be delighted to know that the platform has become even more feature-rich, boasting AI-powered innovations. Here are Teams’s top AI-powered features that can make meetings, training sessions, and webinars more efficient.

Intelligent recap

Intelligent recap automatically transcribes and summarizes meeting recordings, so you can quickly catch up on what you missed. Fueled by PowerPoint Live, Intelligent Recap uses AI to generate chapters in your meeting recordings based on the content of a presentation, streamlining the process of identifying and selecting the most pertinent segments. It also highlights key moments and action items in your meeting recordings, helping you stay on top of your work.

Imagine that your marketing team is conducting a project review meeting. The meeting covers a lot of ground, from market analysis to campaign strategies to performance metrics. It would be easy for team members to get lost in the details or to miss important information.

But with AI-generated chapters, the meeting recording is automatically segmented into each phase of the presentation. This makes it easy for team members to revisit and discuss specific sections without navigating through lengthy recordings.

Live translation

Live translation translates meetings in real time, allowing everyone to participate, regardless of their language. It also works with live captions, so you can see what’s being said in the speaker’s and your language.

For instance, a multinational company is conducting a strategy alignment virtual meeting with participants from different locations around the world. With AI-driven real-time translations, language diversity no longer poses a hurdle. A sales director in Tokyo can read the captions in Japanese, while their counterparts in Paris follow in French, and the marketing team in Salt Lake City stays engaged in English. This seamless interpretation not only enhances inclusivity but also enriches discussions by ensuring everyone comprehends nuances and context accurately.

It’s worth noting that only the meeting organizer needs to have a Teams Premium subscription to enable live translation for all attendees. This means that everyone in the meeting can fully participate and contribute to the conversation, irrespective of their subscription status.

Meeting templates

Meeting templates allow you to create custom templates for different types of meetings, such as brainstorming sessions, sales calls, or training sessions.

For example, a project manager can create a meeting template for weekly project status update meetings. The template can be preconfigured with settings, such as attendees, recurring schedules, and documentation links. By using this template, the manager is freed from repetitive setup tasks and can focus more on facilitating productive discussions. Moreover, the template enforces the company’s predefined guidelines, ensuring that every meeting adheres to a consistent structure and achieves the intended objectives.

Advanced webinar

Advanced webinars let you do two things efficiently: facilitate smooth event registration and craft tailored experiences for your audience. This new function is useful in a variety of scenarios, encompassing a range of webinars that simplify the process of hosting events.

Consider a real-life use case in which a software company is gearing up for a webinar to launch its latest software solution. With Teams’s advanced webinars feature, attendees can seamlessly register for the event, providing the hosting company with essential insights for planning and follow-ups. In addition, the customization options allow the company to tailor the webinar experience to match its branding, ensuring a consistent and immersive experience for participants. Features like interactive polls, Q&A sessions, and participant engagement analytics enrich the experience, enhancing the company’s ability to connect with its audience.

Want more tips to maximize your productivity tools? NetWize’s business IT professionals are ready to help you. Contact us today.

5 Compelling reasons why businesses need managed security services

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with new threats and vulnerabilities emerging at an alarming rate. Navigating this complex terrain requires a strategic approach that extends beyond traditional security measures. This is where managed security services (MSS) step in as a beacon of protection and assurance.

What are managed security services?

Managed security services represent a proactive and comprehensive approach to safeguarding a company’s digital assets, data, and IT infrastructure against a range of cyberthreats. MSS providers offer a suite of specialized services designed to spot and prevent security breaches, minimize risks, and keep the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of sensitive information.

Here are the typical services included in MSS offerings:

Threat monitoring and detection – MSS involves constantly monitoring network traffic and system logs to identify unusual or suspicious activities. Intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems are commonly used to detect potential threats and attacks.
Incident response and remediation – MSS providers are adept at developing a solid incident response plan for mitigating a security incident. They work swiftly to contain the breach, analyze its impact, and implement measures to avoid further damage.
Vulnerability management – MSS providers regularly assess IT systems to identify vulnerabilities in software, hardware, and configurations, and may develop and implement strategies to patch these vulnerabilities.
Firewall and network security – MSS providers can configure and manage firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and other network security tools. These measures help prevent unauthorized access and data exfiltration.
Endpoint security – A vital component of MSS involves ensuring the security of endpoints, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. Endpoint security solutions include antivirus software, malware detection, and encryption to prevent data loss.

Why should businesses seek managed security services in 2023?

Studies made in 2021, 2022, and 2023 revealed that human error remains one of the most significant contributors to security breaches. These studies show that even the most highly secure systems can fall victim to an accidental oversight or a misconfiguration. MSS can help mitigate damage due to human error and other system failures.

Apart from minimizing human error, MSS offers the following benefits:

1. Expertise and skills gap

Many organizations lack the in-house expertise required to combat advanced cyberthreats effectively. MSS providers offer access to a specialized team of IT security experts who are well versed in the latest cyberthreats and defense mechanisms. In addition, outsourcing security management allows businesses to concentrate on their core competencies without being distracted by the complexities of cybersecurity.

2. Cost-effectiveness

Building and maintaining an in-house cybersecurity team can be costly and tedious. Managed security services provide a more cost-effective solution, as businesses can avoid the costs associated with recruitment, training, and infrastructure setup, and at the same time, get access to a diverse skill set. Businesses can channel their resources toward core activities, leaving the intricacies of security in the hands of professionals.

3. 24/7 Monitoring and rapid response

Cyberthreats can happen outside of business hours, and a delayed response can lead to devastating consequences. MSS providers offer continuous monitoring and rapid incident response, ensuring that potential threats are detected and addressed promptly, reducing the risk of prolonged and costly breaches.

4. Regulatory compliance

With increasingly stringent data protection regulations, businesses must ensure their security practices align with industry standards. Managed security services help companies remain compliant with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

5. Scalability and flexibility

MSS can be tailored to suit the unique needs of each business. As companies grow or experience changes, MSS providers can adapt their services to accommodate evolving security requirements.

The bad news is that cyberthreats will continue to be pervasive in the years to come, and businesses will have to develop and implement proactive security measures against them. But the good news is that managed security services offer a holistic approach that combines expertise, technology, and continuous monitoring to fortify an organization’s defenses.

Boost the security of your Salt Lake City business’s IT systems with the assistance of our expert team. Contact us today to get started.