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We all have corporate issued iPhones at work and a few workgroups have setup iMsg text groups - the issue is it can be fragile - and the group needs to be recreated when someone in the group doesn’t have iMsg turned on.

So I am looking to move it to a team in MS Teams with a few channels. As a mobile workforce they will use it on there phones a lot and need lock screen notifications - seems to be no issue here.

Also there is a conceptual change that Teams isnt just a big group chat - there is the concept of a post.

Does this sound like a good platform to move to? Have I missed anything…I am expecting some resistance from people who really just dont know how to use teams.

8 Spice ups
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But you have no control or visibility over the contents of iMessage either, so have a risk with data loss or abuse of this fact.

Teams will give you full insight, auditable and can prevent data loss while also giving your users access to SPO and OD content on the move.

Consider blocking iMessage and replacing it with teams, but take your steer from your pen test company/security team.

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Yes, Teams is the correct route for an organization given your description. Don’t forget its your responsibility to backup the data in MS 365. MS doesn’t do it for you

I don’t under stand this concern?

Teams can very much be just a big group chat if that is what they want.

Since these are company issued iPhones, and you are already MS 365 I would consider enrolling them in intune and install MS Defender on them also. This will give you more control over the devices and insights into how they are being used.

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As @molan and @Rod-IT confirmed, Teams is certainly your best option as a business communications solution. I’ll clarify and comment on a few more issues you discussed:

Also there is a conceptual change that Teams isnt just a big group chat - there is the concept of a post.

Microsoft Teams has two main functionalities; “Teams” which use channels and Post-based communication, and “Chat” which is functionally identical to any Instant Messaging (IM) platform, such as iMessage. This includes group Chats with as many participants as needed - and the ability to add/remove easily without disrupting/ending the group chat.
So if you company only needs an IM platform, then you can just use the “Chat” feature of Teams. Most companies use both functions, with the Channels being more oriented for “Announcement” type communication, and Chat being used for operational “real time” communication (IM).

…I am expecting some resistance from people who really just dont know how to use teams.

Yup, its going to happen. The important thing is to direct their attention to the easiest of features, such as just using Chat. Things get more complicated when integrating with other M365 services, but in general most users should not have an issue grasping at least the Chat messaging functionality.

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I would also say Teams. The chat can also be picked up on a computer if the user so chooses. Teams can also be used on an Android device if you choose to go that route.

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It’s common, but these people also didn’t know how to use a computer, walk on their own legs, drive a car or brush their teeth - until they put in the effort to adapt and learn.

They’ll learn how to use Teams too.

10 Spice ups
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@Rod-IT don’t take this the wrong way, but I think I love you for that statement.

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Thanks - it seemed to go OK.
A few little tweaks to ensure that everybody has notifications in Teams on there mobile devices turned on as getting notified when devices are locked is a priority.
I favour teams over chats as IIRC you don’t get storage with a chat. Will see how it goes!