Microsoft partners with Meta to integrate Teams into its Facebook-like Workplace

Microsoft is partnering with Meta, formerly known as Facebook, to integrate Microsoft Teams into Zuckerberg's Workplace platform. Facebook Workplace, or Workplace by Meta, as it is now rebranded, will soon integrate Microsoft Teams to livestream video in Workplace groups.

The integration of Microsoft Teams into Workplace will allow employees using Teams or Workplace to view, comment and respond to meetings in real time without having to switch between apps.

Microsoft is also integrating Workplace into Teams, which will enable Teams users to access Workplace content through an app within Teams. The app will be pinned to the Teams navigation bar and will include the Workplace content homepage. Microsoft Teams administrators will be able to mark content as important to show in the Workplace app.

"One thing I learned... it's not going to be the only communication device on the planet," says Jeff Tepper, head of Microsoft 365 collaboration. "People are going to choose multiple tools, so I think it's up to us as responsible vendors to make sure they can integrate and interoperate."

This Workplace by Meta and Microsoft Teams integration is the latest in a wider partnership between the two companies. Workspace can already be integrated into SharePoint, OneDrive and Microsoft's Office 365 suite. Meta has also integrated Workplace into Microsoft's Azure Active Directory, and it quickly became one of the top 10 apps for the service.

Microsoft Teams is also coming to Meta Portal (Facebook Portal) devices in December, allowing people to use video calling in Teams. This latest team and workplace integration goes live today, with businesses able to share workplace content with the team. Livestreaming of team meetings in Workplace will be available in early 2022.

Microsoft and Meta are also setting the stage for the enterprise metaverse to compete in the coming years. The two companies recently unveiled similar visions for virtual spaces and meetings, but given these continued partnerships, we may well see the pair collaborate even more on virtual reality and metaverse efforts in the future.