Collaboration tools like Teams stand to be most helpful during the coronavirus outbreak. Microsoft has informed customers and partners it will offer free six-month trials of the premium version of its Teams chat app as coronavirus fears lead to an increase in remote work.
Teams already has a free version, but it places limits on certain features. Free Teams users can record meetings, for instance, but they only get 2 GB of file storage, as opposed to the full terabyte enjoyed by paying customers. What Microsoft is quietly offering is a trial that includes all of those features.
Microsoft has said it plans to update the free app, beginning on March 10, to lift its restrictions on user limits and allow users to schedule meetings for video calling and conferencing.
At Microsoft, top concern is the wellbeing of our employees and supporting our customers in dealing with business impact during this challenging time. For many individuals and organizations, Microsoft Teams video-conferencing, chat, and collaboration are playing an important role in helping people continue to work and collaborate. By making Teams available to all for free for six months, we hope that we can support public health and safety by making remote work even easier.
2020-03-11