The integration of Microsoft StaffHub into Teams

StaffHub will be withdrawn completely in 2019. The features of the planning tool for first-line workers will not be lost, though, and will instead be integrated as part of Microsoft Teams. Our expert explains everything worth knowing about the new solution Microsoft Teams Home & Shifts.

StaffHub lasted for just 2 years. Microsoft only introduced the platform in 2017 to enable companies to manage the digital integration of the world’s 500 million first-line workers in the areas of service and production. Employees in retail, catering, manufacturing or services usually do not have their own office.

Shift rosters, messages and communication – everything that is usually sent to these employees in hard copy, is now available to them neatly structured on their smartphones.

But Microsoft announced the end of StaffHub during Microsoft Ignite 2018. The motto: “Out with the old, in with the new.” In a nutshell, this means:

• The StaffHub app will no longer be available for download from April 1, 2019
• The app will be discontinued entirely on October 1, 2019

Instead of maintaining a large number of small apps, Microsoft is seeking to add to the functions of individual platforms. That’s why Microsoft Teams will deal with the tasks of StaffHub in future – Microsoft Teams for employees in service and production.

Microsoft Office 365 Teams evolved beyond its previous status as a purely Internet-based telecommunications (Voice over IP – VOIP) or business chat solution a long time ago and has since become an end-to-end enterprise solution. I like comparing the development with the grouping of Word, Excel and co. within the Office Suite. And what worked well in 1989, can still be a bright idea today.

Home is a mobile app and, in terms of its structure, not all that different to StaffHub. As a first step, employees begin the day by checking the current schedule.

Shifts give everyone access to the latest work rosters. In addition, requests for shift changes or more flexible holiday planning are possible as well. Meanwhile, Microsoft Graph provides programming interfaces (APIs).

Here is a good overview of the differences between the mobile and desktop versions of Teams and StaffHub.

Let’s keep it short: I’m a big fan of neat and standardized solutions that do not create additional data silos. So I certainly welcome the switch. It might have taken some effort back in 1989 to come to terms with the grouping of Word, Excel und PowerPoint within an Office Suite. But nobody is complaining now, and the benefits of this productivity suite are certainly appreciated.