Microsoft Releases Places That Let Employees Organize Hybrid Work

Microsoft is releasing a new app for Microsoft 365 users to support office workers in hybrid working. Places contains tools that log working times and locations and the app can book conference rooms independently based on availability.

Places is according to Microsoft a software package that can help office workers set up a hybrid workplace. The tool can be used, among other things, to let office managers determine how an office can be optimally set up based on the availability of hybrid workers. The app also has options to easily set up hybrid work schedules, based on data from software such as Outlook and Teams. From this, suggestions are given for, for example, the best times to come to the office. That function can also suggest the best times to book a meeting, and it can suggest the shortest commute time to the office.

The app will be available as a tool for Microsoft 365 customers. This can be used by employees, employers and administrators. For employers, the tool includes dashboards with insights into which employees are in the office when, for example, and when are the best times to organize group meetings.

Microsoft announced the tool at its Ignite developer conference. The tool will be ‘available in 2023’, but the company does not mention a concrete date. Prices are also unknown.