Microsoft Teams has finally broken down one of its last major blocks to world domination
Official Microsoft Teams platform no longer needs a VPN in China
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Microsofthasannounceda supported version of itsvideo conferencingapp which is now available in China through its local partner, 21Vianet.
WhileMicrosoft Teamshas been a staple for many video callers in the People’s Republic, it has required a complex workaround to work with the country’s unique Internet architecture, often requiring a riskyVPNconnection.
But in a blog post on the Chinese version of Microsoft’s website, the new 21Vianet-distributed Teams is described as a “global-connected, and local-operated” solution.
Microsoft Teams is now supported in China
It’s hard to imagine life without Microsoft Teams, given how much we’ve relied on it, and its alternatives, since the pandemic. However, it’s a fairly recent addition to the company’s portfolio, as of early 2017, so the fact that a China-specific version hasn’t arrived until now isn’t all that surprising.
That said, having trailed behind local competition for many years, it’s unlikely that Teams will prove as much of a hit as other external companies have, like Tesla.
Western sanctions on China also raise questions about whether it will prove as much of a hit when it comes to multinational business operations, with the nation instead looking to do business with new partners.
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Its availability through21Vianet- the country’s exclusive distributor of Azure and Microsoft 365, allows the platform to satisfy local and government stipulations with regard to data security and personal information, however the blog post indicates that this is indeed the full version of Teams with video and voice calls, instant messaging, and connection with third-party apps.
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Besides a handful of tweaks here and there, new announcements regarding Teams have been fairly thin on the ground recently, while key rivalGooglecontinues to focus on the education sector with its tool, Meet. However, with so many studies showing that remote work is here to stay, updates to hybrid working tools and expansions to more markets can only be a good thing.
ViaThe Register
With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!
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