Forget Facebook, Try Yammer

Today, Microsoft is implementing the second phase of its rollout of Yammer, a business-minded social networking tool.

Like most other Office 365 products we’ve seen so far, this new application is setting out to target the telecommunication problems of the modern work environment.

Having an online chat with your coworker just doesn’t cut it anymore. Professionals want to be able to utilize all the benefits of having a real-life brainstorming session, but they want to do it faster, more efficiently, and from offices around the world.

How can Yammer achieve this?

By allowing users to chat in real-time through their documents, projects, and files.

Here’s how the Office website describes Yammer:

“Yammer is your company's private social network that helps you and your teams stay on top of it all. Start conversations, collaborate on files, and organize around projects so you can go further—faster.”

With existing applications like Lync and SharePoint, Microsoft is no stranger to telecommunication tools which facilitate collaboration and encourage teamwork.

Yammer is a bit different though.

Unlike Lync, Yammer doesn’t allow video-chatting. However, it lets users share and co-edit files through their conversations and is integrated into all other Office 365 applications.

As grasshopper.com describes it, “Yammer is a Facebook and Twitter hybrid made specifically with business objectives in mind.”

HIPAA-Certified

While the corporate world will definitely find use for this platform, it seems that medical organizations have the most to gain from the application.

Certified to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Yammer gives medical and insurance professionals the opportunity to transfer sensitive files in a safe and secure way.

Mobile Compatible

And keeping in the theme of simplified telecommunication, the app is also available on all Apple, Android, Blackberry, and Windows mobile devices.

So, you’ll be able to communicate with your team from anywhere. This is good news for the ever-travelling employee, but perhaps not-so-good news for your coworker on vacation. (Maybe turn your phone off?)

Either way, clear communication is an important aspect of today’s professional landscape. The ability to articulate and share ideas will always be the cornerstone of improvement.

Don’t want to waste time trying to navigate Office 365’s new features on your own? Enroll in a 360training.com Office 365 training course and take advantage of Microsoft’s newest collaboration tools!