Overview

This article covers guidance and best practices for using Microsoft Teams in Evolve IP Workspaces with the goal of establishing the best end-user experience.

Microsoft Teams is available for use in a Web Browser, as a Mobile App (Android & iOS), and as a Desktop App (Windows, Mac OS, & Linux).  This provides a large amount of flexibility for using Microsoft Teams.  These are the most common deployment options that clients can choose for deploying Teams on your endpoints:

• Corporate provisioned endpoint devices (workstations, laptops, tablets, & phones)
• Personal endpoint devices (laptops, tablets, & phones)
• Workspace desktop (server-side install)

Endpoint Device Install vs. Workspace Install

Evolve IP recommends installing and using Microsoft Teams on corporate and personal devices only.  Microsoft Teams is a compatible application, and can be installed in a Workspace desktop, however, the resources used by MS Teams on the virtual side can become significant, which in turn, can cause poor end-user experiences.

Furthermore, installing MS Teams in a Workspace desktop increases the complexity for configuration and support.  For example, troubleshooting a user's local peripherals like headsets & webcams, and verifying the optimization of MS Teams on the virtual side.

With MS Teams installed on the end-user's devices, you can focus your troubleshooting and configuration of Teams to those devices only without needing to troubleshoot networking and audio/video redirection issues. 

Optimizations for Microsoft Teams

If you prefer to install Teams in a virtual environment, which is not our recommendation, you should follow Microsoft's Hardware Requirements in your virtual environment, and follow the below Optimization Guides:

Peripherals for Microsoft Teams

• Microsoft Teams certified headsets with built-in echo cancellation. 

• Microsoft Teams certified cameras. 

• Skype for Business certified peripherals are compatible with Microsoft Teams too.   

Support

We will need to also solidify the official support statement on where we draw the line, ie no voice quality issues.  Should also note how to check if the hdx version of teams is installed w/ screenshot.

Resources

• Hardware requirements for Microsoft Teams

• Microsoft Teams Optimization for VDI

• Office 365 Network Connectivity Principles

• Office 365 Network Onboarding tool

• Citrix Optimization for Microsoft Teams
• VMware Optimization for Real-Time Audio-Video