Knowledge will also play a key role. Viva Learning collects teaching resources from services such as LinkedIn Learning and Coursera, as well as a company’s own courses. Viva Topics adds it with a ‘knowledge discovery’ system that pops up relevant information for conversations and documents while using Microsoft 365 and Teams.
It will take a while before all the pieces of Viva fit into place. Only Topics is now widely available as an add-on to the Microsoft 365 commercial plan. Insights and learning are currently limited to public and private previews, respectively. Connections will only be available in a public preview in the first half of 2021 and later in the year there will be a mobile app.
Microsoft has a clear motivation to launch Viva. If it can cover more aspects of work life outside of work itself, it’s likely to keep businesses at 365 and Teams instead of switching to alternatives like Google’s G Suite. However, it is also addressing a real problem with remote work. Right now, businesses regularly have to rely on a patchwork of programs and services to keep you connected and up to date. If Microsoft can provide a leaner, more unified experience, your employer may be happier to let you work from home.