Microsoft Places is the new workplace intelligence layer on top of Teams and Outlook. It shows who is in the office when, which rooms are available, and provides AI recommendations for collaboration. What does it do, who is it for, and how do you activate it?
Hybrid work has become the new standard for many businesses. Employees work partly from home, partly from the office, and the challenge is increasingly: how do you know when it is worth coming in? Microsoft Places answers that question. The tool is integrated into Microsoft 365 and combines calendar data, location preferences and AI to support hybrid work planning.
Microsoft Places is a workplace intelligence platform that runs on top of your existing Microsoft 365 environment. It collects data from Outlook calendars, Teams and your building management system to provide insight into who is in the office when, which meeting rooms are available, and when it makes most sense to be physically present.
The main features are: a personal work schedule where employees plan their office and home days, a team overview showing when direct colleagues are in the office, AI recommendations for the best office day based on meetings and collaboration moments, and space management for booking flex desks and meeting rooms.
Microsoft Places processes employee location data, even if it is only office versus home rather than GPS coordinates. Your organisation must inform employees about what data is collected, how long it is retained and who has access. Always discuss the rollout of Microsoft Places with your works council if you have one, as they have approval rights for systems that monitor employee behaviour or performance.
Places is most relevant for organisations with more than 20 employees who work hybrid and share an office. The tool is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and certain E licences. Check your licence before activating the service.
Want to know whether Microsoft Places is available in your current licence and how to organise the rollout? Contact Zarioh.
