What is Microsoft Loop and How Does It Benefit Atlanta Businesses?

What is Microsoft Loop and How Does It Benefit Atlanta Businesses?

Microsoft has taken office documents to another level with the introduction of Microsoft Loop APP. Although Microsoft has taken time to develop a collaborative app, the new app will allow users to think, plan, create, and edit projects together as it combines documents, presentation, charts, and spreadsheet apps in one collaborative space. The collaborative app puts Microsoft ahead of first entrants like Google with its flexibility and adoptability for remote working. Whether the team starts the project in the office or in the field, team members can copy, paste and even edit the document remotely. Despite the good things that come with the new app, it remains a complex app for many. Here is all you need to know about Microsoft Loop.

What is Microsoft Loop?

Microsoft Loop, which is an advancement of the Fluid Framework, is a combination of three features; Loop components, Loop pages, and Loop workspaces. Each of these features is explained in detail below.

Loop components

The loop components are viewed as the basic units of productivity that allow a team to collaborate on a document, email, loop page, or a meeting. Another important feature of the loop component is the voting tables. The voting tables simplify a team’s brainstorming session as the team leader can ask members to vote on the contentious issues. From the vote, members will easily come into an agreement.

The loop components also include a status checker tracker to help members to gather information from other team members and track the progress of a project.

Loop Pages

The loop pages are canvases that help members to organize components or add files and links in a way that makes sense to the group. Loop pages are flexible and continue to expand as members add what they consider important. The loop pages eventually form the loop workspaces.

Loop Workspaces

The workspaces are spaces that allow you to track what other members of the team are doing. Each member of the team can see what is happening on the project from the loop workspace.

Benefits of Microsoft Loop for Your Business

Your business can reap several benefits from the Microsoft Loop, especially after the challenges brought by the pandemic. While most industries are resuming normal operations in what is now known as the post-pandemic era, it is unlikely that businesses will get back to where they were before the pandemic.

Hybrid Workplace Model

Most businesses are likely to adopt a hybrid workplace model, where workers mostly work remotely but have a day or two for in-person operations. However, even as the workplace model takes a shift from the traditional in-person model, collaboration still remains a key component of growth. The Microsoft Loop will, therefore, enhance the efficiency of the hybrid model by improving the team work experience.

Project Management

Microsoft Loop will become a critical  tool in project management. Microsoft Loop functions like a project board, where stakeholders in the project can follow the progress of the project on a real time basis. The project sponsor can see all Loop components and Loop pages as well as the people working on them. Project sponsors with limited information technology knowledge can also follow the project’s progress, and ask questions since they will no longer have to open different applications to get what they need.

Acceptability of Microsoft Loop by Users

Users who are already used to the conventional Microsoft Office applications may take time to move to an app that allows them to work on different documents from a single space. However, with training and sensitization on the benefits of Microsoft Loop, your employees will soon accept and help your business acquire the benefits of the new app.

However, since the App is relatively new as it was only launched in November 2021, you may have challenges convincing your workers to take advantage of the early adoption of the technology. You may, therefore, need an IT support team to train your employees on the benefits of early adopters as well as help them accept the new app.

Benefits of Early Adoption of a Technology

Early adoption of new technology has many benefits for a business organization. The early adopters learn the strengths and challenges of a technology way before the late majorities even attempt to use it. As seen in the adoption of previous technologies such as the Microsoft Virtual Desktop, early adopters were spared from the disruptions of the pandemic. As some businesses closed shop, those who had already installed the Microsoft Virtual Desktop either went to remote or hybrid operations.

The Microsoft Loop app will also favor early adaptors as Microsoft has announced that third parties will be allowed to build Loop components, to enhance their workflow by extending their existing message extension applications at a minimal cost. You can, therefore, take advantage and move from the conventional office application to the new app to enhance your operations and create a competitive advantage for your business.

The Dynamics 365 Loop Component

Microsoft is also in the process of developing the Dynamics 365 Loop component, which links Dynamics 365 records to apps in the Office 365 suite. The introduction of the Dynamics 365 Loop component will create a digital transformation by linking different productive tools of your business to enable real-time tracking of various operational areas.

Bottom line

For so long, Microsoft office users have had to contend with shifting from one application to another as they worked on a project. However, the Microsoft Loop APP has condensed the different office applications into a single app that allows you to collaboratively work on your projects or track different areas of operation on a real-time basis.

We Can Help You

At 360 Smart Networks, we support businesses to help them get the best from various Microsoft products. We can, therefore, help you move your business to another level by adopting the all-in-one Microsoft Loop App.  If you need any assistance on the Microsoft Loop App or any other Microsoft application, feel free to contact us at (770) 518-7087.