Microsoft Teams has evolved from a simple video conferencing tool into a comprehensive collaboration hub, deeply integrated into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Initially, Teams served as a central place to manage applications like Bookings and to display content via technologies such as Adaptive Cards and Microsoft Graph. It became an essential tool for handling “microwork”—tasks requiring minimal interaction that can be completed with just a few clicks or approvals. As a result, Teams has positioned itself as a versatile interface for various applications, helping users stay organized and collaborate seamlessly.
However, while Teams has integrated multiple tools and services, it has remained largely confined to its own environment. Microsoft’s vision for the next iteration of Teams goes beyond this limitation, aiming to bring Teams’ capabilities into other productivity applications, starting with Outlook. By integrating Teams’ features into tools that are already central to the user’s workflow, like email, Microsoft hopes to streamline the experience. This allows users to maintain their productivity while still benefiting from Teams’ capabilities, without having to constantly switch between different apps.
The Teams JavaScript SDK v2.0, recently unveiled in preview, represents a major step toward breaking out of the Teams sandbox. The new SDK enables developers to extend the functionality of Teams apps into other parts of the Microsoft 365 suite, such as Outlook and Office.com. This means that users can access Teams features like messaging and task management directly within the Office apps they are already using. For example, search-based messaging apps can now be added to Outlook’s message composition pane, allowing users to pull up relevant information without interrupting their workflow.
This approach is especially valuable for organizations with a mix of task workers and information workers. For those who use virtual desktops or have restricted access to full Office apps, integrating Teams apps into tools like Outlook ensures that employees can still engage in tasks like timesheet collection or HR-related actions, even if they only have limited access to the Teams environment. The initial preview of SDK v2.0 demonstrates its potential by enabling personal tabs from Teams apps to run within Outlook and Office.com, making Teams functionality accessible in familiar contexts. This is just the beginning of an exciting new phase in how Teams can enhance productivity across the entire Microsoft 365 suite.