Microsoft Places knows where your colleagues work

Microsoft introduces Places, a new app that makes flexible work hours and locations easier through integration with Outlook and Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft designed Places to simplify scheduling work hours and interacting with colleagues. It aims to provide an answer to the growing demand for flexible working situations. A Microsoft survey shows that nearly half of global employees ask their managers for more flexible work schedules or locations.

Places is a standalone app, but it also integrates with Outlook and Microsoft Teams. This allows users to adjust their work schedules within their normal workflow. Through features such as viewing colleagues’ schedules and office spaces, users can organize their time in the office more efficiently. The app also provides options to search and book workspaces.

Spaces will also be integrated with Microsoft Copilot sometime in the second half of 2024. Copilot will help users understand the best days to come into the office and help reserve needed spaces. These features are designed to improve effectiveness and engagement in the workplace and promote the seamless integration of flexible working into the daily schedule.

Microsoft Places is offered as part of Microsoft Teams Premium and is available now. Copilot integration will have to wait until the second half of 2024. Be sure to take a look at the comprehensive integration Blog post From Microsoft for all Places features.