New Microsoft Teams Capability Launching May 2021 – Webinar and Attendee Registration

Microsoft rolls out new webinar function to the Teams application.

Starting this month, May 2021, Microsoft are rolling out webinars to Teams. Webinar events are simple to schedule and deliver using built-in features which are already familiar to meeting hosts using Teams. Webinars will accommodate an audience up to 1,000 attendees with Q&A and thereafter up to 10,000 view-only attendees in a live broadcasting format.

Prior to this product update by Microsoft, users only had the option to host a standard format online meeting with up to 300 participants and no attendee registration option. In order to host a webinar, the host had to purchase a special Zoom webinar license or request a Teams Live Events license and specialised training about how to produce an event.

As Microsoft introduces the new webinar function to the Teams app, the Information Services Group has a rolling communications campaign to help keep users informed about how to use the new feature.

Whilst we await the release of further details from Microsoft you can find more at: https://edin.ac/3bdZvhc

Note- This is a global product update by Microsoft and so tenants have limited control over how/when exactly the option will reach user client apps.  Most users will simply continue to use the usual Teams meeting options when scheduling and the potential for impact with the addition of a Webinar option is therefore minimal.  Our efforts will focus mostly on communications about it to help mitigate any impact on service desks from enquiries and as more 'official' details are released by Microsoft - we will continue to actively update our guidance, training, and service documentation accordingly.