The 2002 annual Ignite conference unveiled a Microsoft innovation designed to help meet the challenges of hybrid working: the Microsoft Places application.
It will shortly be launched in beta version.
In a nutshell, Microsoft is going to offer companies that telecommute the opportunity to better optimize their office space. Let’s take a look at this promising new tool. 
What is Microsoft Places?
Microsoft Places is a tool that will help companies and their employees to better manage and optimize the problemsof this new era of hybrid working.
For example, here are a few issues we’re all familiar with:
- discover that everyone works remotely when they arrive at the office;
- organize a virtual meeting with a colleague down the hall or in the next room;
- want to organize a meeting in a room already reserved, etc…
In short, Microsoft Places is a true location tracker as well as an organizational tool providing key insights and guidance.
Hybrid planning
Microsoft Places’ hybrid scheduling will leverage common data signals from Outlook and Teams to let you visualize the week ahead and see when your colleagues and close associates plan to be in the office.
You’ll understand the busiest days in the office, enabling you toadjust your schedule to take advantage of valuable face-to-face connections. 
Sources: Microsoft – simulation of the future product vision.
Intelligent technology for a more modern office
Technology can dramatically improve the office experience, especially in locations not designed for hybrid working.
With wayfinding functionality, you’ll no longer waste time searching for the right conference room or following outdated signage; instead, you’ll be able to access a map on your mobile device that will guide you to the right place.
Also, hot desk booking will allow you to see where your closest colleagues are seated and choose your desk accordingly.
And once you’re in the right room.., Microsoft Teams Rooms allows everyone to participate wherever they are, thanks to its thoughtful and inclusive features. 
Finally, Microsoft Places will be integrated with the Microsoft 365 solutions customers use every day, such as Outlook, Teams and Viva.
It will leverage and enhance the rich set of data available on Microsoft Graph, combining people and place signals.
Unifying these data assets will enhance proprietary and third-party solutions and address our customers’ biggest challenges related to how, when and where people work.
Microsoft Places in beta
To get things started, Microsoft Places will soon be available as a beta version.
To date, no date has been given, but according to Microsoft, it should be available sometime in 2023.
The roll-out of this tool ranges from simple adjustments to the confirmation of participation in remote Outlook meetings, to the broadcasting of the workplace via Google Calendar, to the more comprehensive launch of services such as Microsoft Viva, which enables remote work teams to be organized.
To find out more, stay with us – we’ll let you know what’s new as soon as we can!
