Hi there! Welcome to another blog post from Netlogic, your trusted partner for Microsoft 365 solutions. Today, we want to talk about a common question that we get from our clients: why do some Microsoft 365 features take so long to become available for production use?
New Feature Process
1. The Announcement
You may have noticed that Microsoft often announces new features for its cloud-based platform, such as Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and more. However, these features are not immediately ready for everyone to use. In fact, there is typically a period of approximately six months between the announcement date and when the features become generally available for production use.
Why is that? Well, the answer is simple: quality assurance.
2. Quality Assurance Testing
The reason behind this deliberate delay is rooted in the concept of quality assurance. Microsoft wants to make sure that every feature they release works as expected and does not cause any issues or conflicts with other features or services. This involves comprehensive internal testing, where the features are extensively evaluated in various scenarios and configurations.
Microsoft places great emphasis on ensuring that the features and updates they release meet the highest standards of reliability, performance, and security. The company understands that its users rely on these tools for critical business operations and communication, and any issues or glitches could have significant consequences. To guarantee the quality of their products, Microsoft follows a rigorous testing and refinement process.
In addition to internal testing, where the features are extensively evaluated in various scenarios and configurations, Microsoft also relies on feedback from external sources, such as the insider testing program that Netlogic participates in. By providing early access to select partners, like Netlogic, Microsoft can gather valuable insights and feedback from real-world usage. This feedback is instrumental in identifying any potential issues, gathering user experiences, and refining the features before they reach the wider user base.
3. Insider Testing Program
Netlogic is proud to be part of the Microsoft 365 insider testing program. which gives us early access to the latest features and updates. This way, we can test them in our own environment and provide feedback to Microsoft. This exclusive program grants us the privilege of accessing the newest features and updates developed by Microsoft before they are released to the general public. This early access allows us to stay ahead of the curve and be at the forefront of technological advancements. We can also prepare ourselves and our clients for the upcoming changes and enhancements.
By having the opportunity to test these features and updates in our own environment, we can thoroughly evaluate their functionality, performance, and compatibility with our existing systems and infrastructure. This hands-on testing enables us to identify any potential issues or bugs that may arise and provide valuable feedback to Microsoft. Our collaboration with Microsoft in this regard helps them refine their offerings and ensures that the final product is of the highest quality which allows us to prepare both ourselves and our clients from the upcoming changes and enhancements
The Road to Perfection
So, when you hear about a new feature that sounds exciting and useful for your business, don’t worry if it’s not available right away. It just means that Microsoft is working hard to make it perfect for you. And Netlogic is working hard to support you and help you get the most out of Microsoft 365. The rigorous testing process that involves internal and external testers, such as the team here at Netlogic, ensures that the new features and updates released by Microsoft are thoroughly vetted and optimized for a wide range of user environments. As soon as a feature is ready for production, we will let you know and guide you through the implementation process.
Thank you for reading this blog post and stay tuned for more news and tips from Netlogic. Remember that anyone can join the Microsoft Insider Programs here!