Teams FastTrack

Microsoft Teams Adoption FastTrack: Overview

Microsoft Teams Adoption FastTrack is a free program offered by Microsoft to help organizations accelerate their transition and adoption of Microsoft Teams. It is designed to guide organizations through the process of deploying Teams and maximizing its capabilities by providing best practices, resources, and direct assistance from Microsoft engineers. FastTrack is part of the broader Microsoft FastTrack program, which covers other Microsoft 365 services, but it specifically focuses on Teams to ensure smooth onboarding, change management, and user adoption.

This service is available for customers with eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions (such as Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Premium) and provides tailored guidance and technical support to help with migration, deployment, and adoption.

Key Features and Concepts of Microsoft Teams Adoption FastTrack

1. Guided Deployment and Configuration

• FastTrack provides organizations with a step-by-step deployment guide for setting up Microsoft Teams, ensuring all necessary configurations are in place for collaboration, meetings, calling, and app integration.
• Key Deployment Areas:
  • Teams Meetings: Setup guidance for organizing meetings, including configuring meeting policies and audio conferencing.
  • Teams Calling: Assistance with implementing calling features, including Direct Routing and Phone System configurations.
  • Collaboration and Chat: Guidance on setting up channels, file sharing, and collaboration tools like OneDrive and SharePoint.
  • Security and Compliance: Ensuring that security, data governance, and compliance policies are configured correctly.
  Example Usage: A healthcare organization transitioning from legacy phone systems to Microsoft Teams uses FastTrack to set up Direct Routing to integrate their existing PSTN infrastructure with Teams, ensuring seamless external communication through their existing carrier.

1. Migration and Onboarding Assistance

• FastTrack assists with migrating data from legacy systems (such as Skype for Business or on-premises collaboration tools) to Teams. This includes the migration of user accounts, meetings, and chat history, as well as integrating existing business workflows into the Teams ecosystem.
• Supported Migrations:
  • Skype for Business to Teams: Guidance on moving from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams, including co-existence modes and best practices for phasing out Skype.
  • Email and Calendar Integration: Assistance with integrating Outlook email and calendars with Teams for a unified experience.
  • File Migration: Assistance with moving files from local drives or other cloud services (like Google Drive or Box) to OneDrive or SharePoint.
  Example Usage: A company transitioning from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams uses FastTrack to ensure that all user accounts, chat history, and calendar appointments are successfully migrated without disrupting their workflows.

1. Adoption Planning and Change Management

• FastTrack provides organizations with adoption planning resources to ensure a smooth transition for employees. This includes developing a roadmap, communication plans, and training programs to drive user adoption.
• Key Adoption Tools:
  • User Training Resources: Microsoft provides training videos, learning paths, and live events to ensure users are well-equipped to use Teams effectively.
  • Champions Program: FastTrack helps organizations establish a Champions Program, where early adopters (power users) are identified and trained to promote Teams usage and support their colleagues.
  • End-User Communications: Templates and communication materials are provided to help announce the transition to Teams and ensure that users are informed of upcoming changes.
  Example Usage: A large multinational company uses FastTrack to establish a Champions Program across different departments, ensuring that early adopters can support the wider workforce during the transition to Microsoft Teams.

1. Technical and Strategic Guidance

• FastTrack provides technical assistance with deployment, addressing specific technical challenges or requirements, such as integrating Microsoft Teams with third-party tools, configuring advanced calling features, or ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
• Strategic Guidance:
  • FastTrack experts work with an organization’s IT team to plan a phased deployment strategy, ensuring that Teams is rolled out efficiently and with minimal disruption.
  • Ongoing support ensures the proper configuration of policies, governance, and security standards, including identity management and data loss prevention (DLP).
  Example Usage: A financial services firm uses FastTrack to get strategic guidance on configuring Teams compliance policies and data retention settings in line with stringent industry regulations, such as GDPR and FINRA.

1. Tools for Measuring Adoption

• FastTrack provides tools and reporting options to track and measure Teams adoption across the organization. This includes usage insights and reports from Microsoft 365 admin centers, as well as specific Teams analytics on how often users are engaging in meetings, chats, and file sharing.
• Key Reporting Tools:
  • Teams Usage Dashboard: Provides insights into user activity, including how many active users are engaging with Teams, how often they are hosting or attending meetings, and how they are using channels and chat.
  • User Feedback Surveys: FastTrack provides templates for user satisfaction surveys to gather feedback from employees on their experience with Teams, which helps fine-tune adoption strategies.
  Example Usage: After a few months of rolling out Teams, a retail organization uses the Teams Usage Dashboard provided by FastTrack to track adoption rates across different regions. Based on the data, they identify areas where further training or engagement may be needed.

1. Customized Rollout Strategies

• FastTrack helps organizations customize their rollout strategies to meet specific needs, whether that’s a full organization-wide deployment or a phased rollout. This includes setting up different Teams environments for specific departments or divisions within the organization.
• Phased Rollout: FastTrack can assist with rolling out Teams in stages, starting with certain departments (such as IT or HR) before a broader company-wide deployment.
• Pilot Programs: FastTrack supports pilot programs where a small group of users is given early access to Teams to test the platform and identify potential issues before full deployment. Example Usage: A manufacturing company uses a phased rollout strategy, starting with office-based departments like IT and finance, before gradually rolling out Teams to field workers. FastTrack helps ensure each group’s specific needs are addressed during the deployment.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Using Microsoft Teams Adoption FastTrack

Step 1: Eligibility and Requesting FastTrack Assistance

1. Verify Eligibility:

• FastTrack is available for organizations with eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions (usually more than 150 licenses, such as Microsoft 365 E3, E5, or Business Premium).
• Visit the FastTrack website to verify eligibility and review the services available.

1. Request FastTrack Assistance:

• If eligible, go to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and submit a FastTrack request for Teams adoption assistance.
• You will be assigned a FastTrack manager or engineer to guide you through the process.

Step 2: Planning and Preparation

1. Define Objectives and Requirements:

• Work with your FastTrack team to define the key objectives for adopting Teams, such as replacing existing communication tools (e.g., Skype for Business) or enhancing collaboration across departments.
• FastTrack will help you assess your current telephony and collaboration setup, determine if any migration is necessary, and ensure all pre-deployment steps are taken.

1. Adoption Roadmap:

• FastTrack helps you develop an adoption roadmap, detailing the steps and timeline for rolling out Teams across your organization. This roadmap will include phases such as pilot programs, full deployment, and post-deployment user training.

Step 3: Deployment and Migration

1. Set Up Teams Configuration:

• FastTrack provides assistance with setting up Microsoft Teams, including defining Teams policies, security settings, collaboration settings, and meeting configurations.
• If using Microsoft Calling Plans or Direct Routing, FastTrack will assist with configuring the telephony features and connecting your existing infrastructure.

1. Migrate Existing Systems (Optional):

• If you are migrating from another tool like Skype for Business, FastTrack will help with migrating user accounts, meeting data, and chat history to Teams.
• FastTrack will also help with file migration from services like Google Drive or legacy file servers to OneDrive or SharePoint for better integration with Teams.

Step 4: Training and User Adoption

1. Conduct User Training:

• FastTrack provides access to a wealth of training resources, including:
  • End-user training videos and tutorials.
  • Live events and webinars to introduce Teams features.
  • Role-based training for admins and IT staff.
• FastTrack assists in rolling out these training programs across departments.

1. Establish a Champions Program:

• FastTrack helps identify and train Teams Champions within the organization—power users who can provide peer support and encourage Teams adoption across different departments.
• These champions act as the first line of support for their teams, helping with troubleshooting and best practices.

Step 5: Post-Deployment Support and Monitoring

1. Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting:

• Once Teams is deployed, FastTrack assists in monitoring user adoption and service performance using tools like the Teams Usage Dashboard and Microsoft 365 Admin Reports.
• Review user feedback and identify areas where further training or policy adjustments are necessary.

1. Optimize Usage:

• FastTrack continues to provide guidance on optimizing Teams usage, ensuring that new features are effectively integrated and users are getting the most out of the platform.
• FastTrack may recommend additional apps or integrations that could enhance the user experience (e.g., Power BI, Planner, or third-party tools like Trello).

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Working and Usage Examples of Microsoft Teams Adoption FastTrack

1. Public Sector Organization Transitioning from Skype for Business

• A large public sector organization uses FastTrack to transition from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams. The FastTrack team assists with planning the migration, configuring co-existence modes to allow Skype and Teams to work together during the transition, and eventually migrating all users to Teams. They also help create a customized training program for employees and ensure all compliance policies are followed.

2. Small Business Enhancing Remote Collaboration

• A small business that recently moved to Microsoft 365 uses FastTrack to implement Microsoft Teams as their primary collaboration tool. FastTrack helps them configure Teams for remote work, set up file sharing through OneDrive, and manage team channels for efficient collaboration. FastTrack also provides resources for onboarding new users and ensures that the company’s small IT team can effectively support Teams.

3. Manufacturing Company Using Teams for Field Workers

• A global manufacturing company uses FastTrack to deploy Teams on mobile devices for field workers. FastTrack assists with setting up mobile-friendly features, including Teams Walkie Talkie for instant communication, and integrates Teams with their existing on-premise PBX system using Direct Routing. The FastTrack team also helps with establishing communication workflows for the field workers and office staff.

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Microsoft Teams Adoption FastTrack provides organizations with an invaluable resource for accelerating their Teams deployment, managing change, and driving user adoption. By offering direct assistance from Microsoft experts, FastTrack ensures that organizations can deploy Teams quickly and efficiently, overcoming technical and strategic challenges along the way. Whether transitioning from legacy tools, configuring complex telephony systems, or driving end-user adoption, FastTrack provides the guidance and support needed to make Microsoft Teams a central part of your organization’s collaboration strategy.