We have had Teams in our company for 2 years! In the dreaded Islands mode (cue the scary music). If you know anything about hybrid environments, you will know this is not ideal. Unfortunately, these decisions were made without my input, with no plan and a "here you go, have fun, good luck!" attitude.
Well, times are changing! One thing to thank Covid for (if that is appropriate). Our company realizing Teams needed training, a strategy and a migration plan.
This is where our Team comes in...Migration!
PLAN -> Design - > Deploy
PLAN!
Step One: Ensure your Hybrid environment is configured
Step Two: Get out of Islands mode - FAIL
You should do this! It will help your end users be less confused on what to use Skype for and what to use Teams for.
Set the Coexistence mode.
Islands - Use this setting if you want users to be able to use both Skype for Business and Teams simultaneously.
Skype for Business only - Use this setting if you want your users to only use Skype for Business.
Skype for Business with Teams collaboration - Use this setting if you want your users to use Skype for Business in addition to using Teams for group collaboration (channels).
Skype for Business with Teams collaboration and meetings - Use this setting if you want your users to use Skype for Business in addition to using Teams for group collaboration (channels) and Teams meetings.
Teams only - Use this setting if you want your users to use only Teams. Note that even with this setting, users can still join meetings hosted in Skype for Business.
The problem with this design is if you go to SfB w/ Teams Collab, you lose the ability to create meetings and chat with users. You get the meetings function back with Collab and Meetings, but you still can't chat.
Personally, I think this is a poor design. Skype's most used function is chat...why wait until last to have users move to it?! Because remember, you are supposed to get out of Islands most ASAP. *sigh*
Step three: How are you going to use Teams?
Get these guidelines set before deploying! Set user experience and expectation right from the start.
Work with your business. Listen to what users are asking for. It is easier to GIVE additional capabilities, rather than take them away. Basically, if you're unsure if you should give your users permissions to do it. DON'T. Wait. Review the need after deployment.
Step four: Prepare your Network!
Use Network Planner
This will help you determine your network requirements
Make sure UDP ports 3478-3481 for all locations.
DNS needed for Skype federation:
CNAME -> sip->2600->sipdir.online.lync.com
CNAME -> lyncdiscover->3600->webdir.online.lync.com
Network requirements https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/prepare-network
Use the Call Quality Dashboard to understand the quality of calls and meetings.
Step five: Prepare trainings for your users - DON'T SKIP THIS STEP
Microsoft has great information to help your users learn Teams.
Take some time to put information together. Let your users know how you expect them to use Teams and how. This is so important for adoptions and morale!
Go to my next blog post Skype for Business On-premises -> Teams ->DESIGN Stage
