Microsoft is getting ready to roll out a sequence of updates for Whiteboard, its “clever canvas” software for on-line collaboration.

A choice of new entries to the Microsoft 365 roadmap reveal Whiteboard customers will quickly profit from a raft of additional options, from the flexibility to embed video content material and add feedback to boards, to a timer to assist facilitate structured actions.

The brand new options are anticipated to roll out in suits and begins over the following few months, however all ought to be out there to clients by the tip of the yr.

Microsoft 365 upgrades

The newest upgrades for the Microsoft 365 suite might be seen as a part of the continued arms race between Microsoft and different distributors throughout the distant collaboration, productiveness and video conferencing area.

Because the begin of the pandemic, corporations have fought to supply clients with the deepest portfolio of services to assist assist collaboration between distant staff, and now, to allow hybrid working preparations whereby employees are scattered throughout a variety of areas.

Though the updates to Microsoft Whiteboard would possibly seem insignificant in isolation, they supply one other avenue for colleagues to share concepts and work by means of issues remotely, in addition to catering to a subset of workers who work greatest with visible mediums.

In addition they contribute to the general evolution of Microsoft’s software program suite, complementing numerous latest upgrades, together with the flexibility to share pre-recorded video messages and ship finely tuned shows over Groups, and the choice to compose paperwork and emails utilizing voice dictation.

In line with knowledge collected on behalf of TechRadar Professional, Microsoft nonetheless enjoys a big lead over its principal market competitor, Google. Because it stands, Microsoft 365 is the chosen productiveness suite of the vast majority of US companies (58.2%), whereas Google Workspace is utilized by solely 15%.

Nevertheless, Google stole a march on Microsoft when it got here to the real-time collaboration mannequin, whereby software program is served up by way of the cloud, which has proved all-important because the transition to distant and hybrid working.

In 2020, Google additionally rebranded G Suite to Workspace, signalling a rise in funding. As a part of this course of, the corporate introduced it will make a concerted effort to create a extra “deeply built-in consumer expertise”, closing the hole on its rival.

In gentle of those information, Microsoft can not afford to relaxation on its laurels and continuous upgrades for its personal software program will likely be important to preserving its dominant market place, regardless of how minor the person enhancements.

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