Mar 30, 2020 - Technology

Microsoft Teams usage up in areas with social distancing measures

Ina Fried

Photo: Kena Betancur/VIEWpress/Corbis via Getty Images

Microsoft says it has seen some significant spikes in some applications where there are shelter-in-place or social distancing rules.

Why it matters: The increased cloud demand adds to the strain on the internet, but companies whose key apps are in the cloud are far more easily able to accommodate a remote workforce than those that rely on their own servers.

The company has also seen Windows Virtual Desktop usage more than triple and a 42% increase in government use of Microsoft's Power BI as entities look to share COVID-19 dashboards.
Microsoft said it will continue to prioritize first responders, medical supply chains, chatbots for health screening, and other health-related websites. The company said it has seen stronger demand in a number of geographies, but said, "Despite the significant increase in demand, we have not had any significant service disruptions."
Microsoft said monthly usage of the calling and meeting features of Microsoft Teams increased 775% in Italy over a one-month period during the outbreak.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct inaccurate information provided by Microsoft. The company originally said in a blog post Friday that it had seen a 775% increase in cloud services in areas with social distancing measures. On Monday, Microsoft updated its post, crossing out that information and replacing it with a paragraph saying the 775% actually applied only to the calling and meeting features of Microsoft Teams, and only in Italy, for a one-month period.

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Microsoft Teams usage up in areas with social distancing measures

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