Yammer, Microsoft’s enterprise social network, has announced the public preview of a new, redesigned interface alongside new capabilities and integrations throughout Microsoft 365. We knew since Microsoft Ignite 2019 that Yammer was being rebuilt from the ground up and was due to become the company’s first application to leverage the Fluent Design system to its full potential.
Microsoft announces new Yammer preview
Microsoft has outlined the new capabilities of the new Yammer. First of all, Microsoft wants to deliver a fast, modern interface across and mobile. However, in addition to a new look, Microsoft is looking to address top customer requests, aiming to “help leaders and communities share, communicate, and discover like never before.”
Last month, Microsoft introduced a new, interactive Yammer app called “Communities” to integrate Yammer Communities (previously groups) into Microsoft Teams. Some of the new Yammer features revolve around Communities:
- To better convey the purpose of Yammer, groups are now called communities
- Pin your favorite communities to the navigation for quick access
- Add cover photos to your communities
- Report conversations to better moderate your communities
Microsoft is looking to increase user engagement across the organization by bringing Yammer communities and conversations into Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.
What’s more, ‘All Company’ community can have a customized cover photo and avatar, in addition to customized branding.
New Yammer allows users to set questions, polls, and praise as announcements. Conversations will now be available across Microsoft 365. Communities allow important posts to be pinned at the top. Now, users can easily respond to Yammer conversations from Outlook on the web.
Closing conversations that have reached a conclusion is possible. Plus, new editor experience delivers new sharing options. This way, you can share files with the enhanced file picker that includes recently used files. Polls, praise, and questions have also been redesigned.
New Yammer is also set to deliver improved live events and video experience in each community. It also promises to show relevant conversations, people and topics users follow.
“There are even more new features and integrations coming to Yammer as we approach general availability, such as suggested communities, bookmarks, and additional admin and user controls.”
Microsoft 365 Global Admins can configure access to the new Yammer public preview through the Yammer admin portal. Meanwhile, the new Yammer is available worldwide on mobile, for iOS and Android.
