Software Updates

Microsoft is set to introduce a new feature in Teams aimed at optimizing the management of presence information for hybrid workers.

Feature Overview

This upcoming functionality will automate the identification and update of users’ work locations by detecting their connection to organizational Wi-Fi networks. This development is scheduled for deployment in December 2025 and aims to address the challenge of maintaining up-to-date location details for hybrid employees.

Technical Specifications

The system will map specific Wi-Fi networks to physical office locations within an organization. Upon connecting to a recognized network, Teams will automatically update the user’s status to reflect their current location. Beyond Wi-Fi detection, the feature can also recognize connected peripherals such as monitors and docking stations, enhancing location accuracy.

Privacy and Control

Privacy remains a core consideration in this feature’s design. Location updates are limited to working hours as defined in users’ Outlook calendars, with all data cleared at the end of each workday. The feature is disabled by default, requiring activation by IT administrators at the tenant level via PowerShell commands, such as New-CsTeamsWorkLocationDetectionPolicy. Users must then opt-in through a consent prompt within the Teams application.

Even after enabling the feature, employees have full control over their location sharing preferences, allowing for flexibility according to different work scenarios.

Implementation and Rollout

Organizations interested in deploying this feature should prepare by mapping Wi-Fi SSIDs and office devices to specific building names. The rollout is expected to commence in early December and conclude by mid-month globally. Microsoft plans to provide detailed documentation prior to launch, including guidance on policy management and configuration best practices.

Business Impact

This update, detailed under Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 488800, underscores Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to enhancing hybrid work environments. By streamlining location management, Teams seeks to bridge the gap between digital collaboration and physical presence, thereby improving coordination and efficiency in workplaces adapting to flexible work arrangements.