Why upgrade to Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams extends the capabilities of Skype for Business, bringing together chat, meetings, calling, collaboration, app integration, and file storage into a single interface. This new central hub for teamwork can help streamline the way users get things done, improving user satisfaction and
accelerating business outcomes.
Teams upgrade planning workshops
During our upgrade planning workshops, we will share guidance, best practices and resources designed to help you plan and implement your upgrade to Teams. For an optimal experience, start with the Plan your upgrade session below. Click any workshop to access content on demand.
Plan your upgrade (Start here!)
Whether you're upgrading to Teams ahead of the retirement of Skype for Business Online (July 31, 2021) or moving scenarios from your Skype for Business on-premises environment to Teams, a successful transition addresses both technical and user readiness. Discover our proven framework, best practices, and resources designed to help you facilitate a successful transition to Teams from Skype for Business Online. Skype for Business Server, or a hybrid environment.
Audience – All (Business sponsors, IT admins, user readiness/change manager, project lead)
Get startedImplement your upgrade approach
Join us to identify and prepare to execute the best technical approach for moving all workloads to Teams, based on your goals and your current Skype for Business environment. Most customers who have completed successful transition have enabled Teams alongside their current Skype for Business Online, Skype for Business Server, or hybrid implementation. This session will share key considerations and valuable resources to help you define the best migration strategy for your organization.
Audience – IT admins
Start implementingFAQ
Yes. Skype for Business Online will be retired on July 31, 2021, at which point it will no longer be accessible or supported. We encourage Skype for Business Online customers to start using Teams and begin planning their upgrades now to allow ample time to complete upgrade prior to the retirement date.
Your organization’s journey from Skype for Business to Teams can be defined by you. To assist in your planning and execution, we’ve developed comprehensive upgrade guidance based upon a proven framework designed to help you navigate the technical and organizational elements of change. Start your journey by familiarizing yourself with our upgrade success framework and associated resources that serve as the cornerstone for navigating your journey from Skype for Business to Teams.
We encourage you to plan the journey from Skype for Business to Teams leveraging the guidance and resources at aka.ms/SkypetoTeams and attend a free upgrade planning workshop to identify and implement the upgrade path that best meets the needs of your organization.
Within the Microsoft Teams admin center, you’ll notice options for coexistence modes, enabling your organization to manage the Skype for Business to Teams journey that’s right for your organization. Learn more about coexistence and upgrade modes.
A successful upgrade will include validating technical readiness in addition to user acceptance readiness. Even if you determine your organization isn’t quite ready to upgrade to Teams, you can begin the planning process today. Further, you can start realizing the value of Teams by enabling Teams alongside Skype for Business. Get started on your [Skype to Teams journey[(https://aka.ms/skypetoteams-home) today.
Microsoft also offers live, interactive workshops in which we’ll share guidance, best practices, and resources designed to kick start upgrade planning and implementation. Learn about upgrade planning workshops.
No, you’ll want to switch users to Teams Only mode to complete the upgrade to Teams. If your organization is ready to upgrade to Teams, take time to communicate to users to let them know what’s happening and allow them to acclimate to Teams. This will help ensure they have a positive upgrade experience and help alleviate calls to your helpdesk. For sample communication templates, download our Upgrade Success Kit.
For questions related to your upgrade, reach out to your current points of contact, which might include your assigned Microsoft account team, partner, or FastTrack. Alternatively, you can open a help ticket from within your Microsoft Teams admin center by clicking the Need help button.
