To make systemwide communications easier and more efficient, Ballad Health will implement a universal rollout of Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, March 29.
While we encourage team members to begin using MS Teams right away, we will have a minimum 6-month period after the release to ensure everyone has ample opportunity to become familiar with the new software before we fully transition to MS Teams from Webex. Skype will be sunsetted on May 31 and will no longer be available for use.
Transitioning to a single platform will provide a more satisfying and unified instant messaging and virtual meeting experience for team members, without the need to learn how to use multiple platforms.
Microsoft Teams will provide many of the same features available through Cisco Webex and Skype, such as screen sharing. Other features include:
- Pin important chat conversations.
- Quickly set up conference calls or call a team member from anywhere with one click.
- Start a meeting or easily share a screen without worrying about host and co-host roles.
- Add multiple team members to focused discussions.
- Create groups of contacts and share documents, websites and more in the same chat screen.
- Revisit chats from past meetings.
- Use a varying level of message importance to prioritize communications.
- Easily see if a team member is available, out of office, in a meeting or currently presenting.
To help make the most of the new tool, tip sheets and training videos can be found on the Ballad Health intranet by clicking here. (NOTE: You must be on a Ballad Health network device to access the intranet.)
Multiple one-hour training sessions will also be available from April 5 through April 14. These will provide you with beginner-level information on how to get the most out of the chat and meeting functions of MS Teams. You can enroll in these sessions in HealthStream by searching for “Microsoft Teams Chat and Meetings (Level 100)” under the Event Calendar Tab.
Once the software is rolled out, the application will be pushed to all computers in the system. Team members will receive communication from IT on rebooting and launch instructions.
Direct any feedback or questions you have about the transition or the new system to the IT Service desk at 423-431-6290.
