It's Baaaaaack (or is it?): Microsoft Teams suffers a Tuesday totter

When we said 'shut everything down,' we only meant the retail stores

What's the difference between Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Stores? When Teams closes down, people seem to notice.

Microsoft's collaboration tool for suits started off Tuesday with a repeat performance of yesterday's wobbles for some European users.

Impact related to the SI#TM206556 has returned. We'll continue to provide updates through this SI under your admin center.

— Microsoft 365 Status (@MSFT365Status) March 17, 2020

The issue appears to be confined to some European tenants at present, but it is pretty disappointing that a day after first issues arose, Microsoft remains unable to completely deal with the woes of the collaboration platform.

Back on 5 March corporate veep for Microsoft 365, Jared Spataro, announced that user limits on the freemium version of Teams would be lifted from 10 March. He also noted that the gang tested service continuity during a usage spike in China.

He went on to boast that service had been "fluid" despite a 500 per cent jump in Teams conferences, calls and meetings and a 200 per cent leap in mobile usage. Sadly "fluid" is perhaps best applied to the uptime levels as the service is pummelled by unprecedented amounts of remote working.

We have contacted Microsoft to find out what the problem is and will update if an explanation is forthcoming.

While Teams staggered, Microsoft also took the decision to close the one place where you can be guaranteed to never see another soul: its stores.

For the safety of our customers and employees, we are closing all global Microsoft Store locations, effective immediately. For help, please visit https://t.co/tzwDaQSY0k. pic.twitter.com/KjMr8TQh3y

— Microsoft Store (@MicrosoftStore) March 17, 2020

Rival Apple shuttered its retail outlets outside China a few days ago, with the fanbois unable to fondle the shiny gizmos in-store until at least 27 March. Apple boss, Tim Cook, also trumpeted a $15m donation to the global COVID-19 response. As a reminder, Apple posted a quarterly revenue figure for Q1 of fiscal 2020 of $91.8bn.

Unlike Apple, Microsoft has not confirmed when its stores might re-open– a sensible move while uncertainty persists. It was also quick to move its staff to remote working while ensuring hourly workers got paid regardless.

Now, if only it could get Teams to stand up straight, tuck in its shirt and comb its hair. ®