Before you set out to customize the app store in Teams, it is crucial to understand how the app management process works in this platform. There are three main levels of app permissions in Teams:
- Tenant-wide – Controls are set in the Microsoft Teams admin center and dictate the availability of an app for all the teams in the organization.
- Team-specific – Team owners can control which apps their members can add to the team.
- User-specific – Individual team members can add or remove apps for their personal use.
How to manage apps in Teams
The app management process in Teams is quite straightforward. To manage apps at the tenant level, navigate to the Microsoft Teams admin center and click on Teams apps > Manage apps. Here, you can see a list of all the available apps and manage their availability for the entire organization.
To control apps at the team level, the team owner should select the team they want to manage, click on Apps on the left navigation, and then click on Permission Policies.
For individual users, managing apps simply requires clicking on the Apps icon on the left side of Teams, and then clicking on More Apps. The user can then find and manage their list of apps.
Customizing the App Store
To customize the app store, navigate to the Microsoft Teams admin center and click on Teams apps > Setup policies. Here, you can create a new policy or modify an existing one.
When creating a new policy, give it a name and then select the apps that you want to pin by clicking on the Add Apps button. Pinned apps show up in the app bar for users who are assigned to this policy.
In the ‘Settings’ section, control the order in which apps appear in the app bar and decide whether to allow users to customize the app bar. Select the option that suits your organization’s needs.
Policy assignment can either be to the entire organization or to specific users. You can select the users directly in the policy itself or use a batch policy assignment.
Setup Example
As an example, suppose we want to create a new policy that includes only essential work apps and have them appear in a specific order in the Teams app bar.
- From the Teams admin center, go to Teams apps > Setup policies and click on ‘Add’.
- In the ‘Add setup policy’ pane, give the policy a unique name like ‘Work Only Apps’.
- Under Pinned apps, click on Add apps and select the apps you want to include: Tasks, Planner, and Word by searching them, and click on Add.
- In the Settings section, arrange the apps in the order you want them to appear: Word, Planner, Tasks.
- Leave the ‘Allow user pinning’ option turned off.
- Under Assignment, click on Add group, and select the group of users this policy applies to. Alternatively, you can click on Add users and select individual users.
- Click on Apply.
In summary, the ability to customize the app store of Microsoft Teams is a crucial skill for IT professionals responsible for managing Teams in a business environment. With these capabilities, you can tailor your Teams deployment to better meet the unique needs of your organization. Additionally, mastering these skills will assist you in your preparation for the Microsoft’s MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams exam.
Practice Test
True or False: The Microsoft Teams app can be customized by adding, removing, or prioritizing apps in the Teams app store.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Teams admin can manage and customize apps in Teams; they can continue to use the Teams admin center to set policies that control what apps are available in the Microsoft Teams app store.
Which of the following features can you customize in the Teams app store?
- a) Default Apps
- b) Third-party Apps
- c) App Settings
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Teams administrators can customize default apps, third-party apps, and app settings in the Teams app store.
True or False: You can customize the App store to restrict certain apps from being available in the store.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: As a Teams admin, you can manage access to apps within the Teams app store – this includes the ability to restrict certain apps.
What can Teams admins use to control the app settings in Teams app store?
- a) Teams app policies
- b) Teams update center
- c) Teams control panel
- d) None of the above
Answer: a) Teams app policies
Explanation: Teams app policies are used by Teams admins to control app settings in the Teams app store.
True or False: Customizing the Teams app store can be done only by Microsoft.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Customizing the Teams app store is not limited to Microsoft; Teams admins can customize the store to encourage app usage, manage app permissions, and set app settings.
What permissions are required to customize Teams app store?
- a) Global admin or Teams service admin permissions.
- b) Microsoft 365 global admin permissions only.
- c) Any user with Teams access.
- d) External user permissions.
Answer: a) Global admin or Teams service admin permissions.
Explanation: Only administrators with Global admin or Teams service admin permissions can customize Teams app store.
True or False: The app store customization changes are permanent and can’t be undone.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The admin can alter or revert the customization changes at any time as per the organization’s needs.
Which one of the following can’t be customized in Teams app store?
- a) App layout
- b) Featured apps
- c) App settings
- d) Default apps
Answer: a) App layout
Explanation: The Teams administrator has no control over changing the app layout in the Teams app store.
True or False: Teams admin can make a third-party app as a default app in Teams app store.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Yes, Teams admins can set a third-party app as the default app in the Teams app store.
Can the Teams admin customize Teams app store to make certain apps available for certain users?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: a) Yes
Explanation: Teams app setup policies can be customized to control what apps appear in the app bar, providing a tailored interface for certain users in Teams.
True or False: A Teams admin can manage apps for individual users.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Teams admins manage apps at the organizational level and not for individual users. They control the overall app settings and availability in Teams, and can’t force install or remove apps from an individual user’s Teams client.
As a Teams admin, can I prioritize apps in my organization’s app store layout?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: a) Yes
Explanation: As a Teams admin, you can manage and prioritize apps in Teams. You can set up policies to customize and control the apps that are displayed in the Teams app bar in your organization.
True or False: As a Teams admin, I can prevent users from uploading custom apps in Teams.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Teams admin can manage and set custom app policies in Teams, which include the ability to turn off or disable the ability for users to upload custom apps.
Can the Teams admin promote specific apps in the Teams app store?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: a) Yes
Explanation: Teams admin can use app setup policies to promote specific apps by pinning them to the app bar in Teams.
True or False: Teams admin can make all third-party apps available for all users in the Teams app store.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Teams admin can make all third-party apps available for all users, but they also have the ability to set up permissions to restrict access to certain apps based on organizational needs.
Interview Questions
What are the default apps available in the Microsoft Teams app store?
The default apps available in the Microsoft Teams app store depends on the settings provided by the organization’s admin. Commonly available apps include Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as other productivity tools like Planner, OneNote, and SharePoint.
By default, which users can install apps from the Microsoft Teams app store?
By default, all users in an organization are able to install apps from the Microsoft Teams app store, provided the apps are allowed by the admin. However, the organization’s admin has the ability to manage permissions and control who can install apps.
How can an admin control which apps are available in the app store for Teams users?
An admin can control which apps are available in the app store for Teams users through the Teams admin center. They can manage app permissions and settings to determine which apps are allowed, blocked, or require admin approval.
What is the process to add custom apps to the app store for Teams users?
To add custom apps to the app store for Teams users, the admin needs to upload the custom app package to the Teams admin center. Once uploaded, the admin can then distribute the app across the organization or to specific teams or users.
How can an admin manage permission policies for app usage in the app store?
Admins can manage permission policies for app usage in the app store via the Microsoft Teams admin center. They can create custom app permission policies to control which apps users can install and use. These policies can be applied organization-wide or to specific users or groups.
What is the difference between a personal app, a team app, and a tenant-wide app in the app store?
A personal app is an app that is installed and used by an individual user. A team app is an app installed and used within a specific team. A tenant-wide app is an app that is distributed across the entire organization by the admin.
Explain the concept of “app setup policies” and how they are utilized in the app store.
App setup policies are rules set by the admin that determine how apps should be set up for users in Teams. These policies can specify which apps are pinned to the Teams app bar for easy access, and which apps are available for users to install and use. They help to control and customize the user experience in Teams.
Are there any security considerations to keep in mind when customizing the Microsoft Teams app store?
Yes, when customizing the Microsoft Teams app store, admins should consider the security of the apps they are adding. They should ensure that the apps come from trusted sources, comply with the organization’s security policies, and do not pose any risks to the organization’s data.
How can reporting and analytics be leveraged to monitor app performance and usage in Teams?
Through the Teams admin center, admins can access reporting and analytics tools to monitor app performance and usage. They can track metrics like the number of active users, message counts, and call quality to assess the effectiveness and impact of the apps.
Discuss the options available for organizations to distribute custom apps beyond the app store in Microsoft Teams.
Beyond the app store, organizations can distribute custom Teams apps through several means. For instance, they can use app setup policies to push apps directly to users’ Teams client, or they can choose to publish their custom apps to the Teams app catalogue or directly to specific teams.
What happens to apps that are removed or disabled by an admin in the app store?
If an app is removed or disabled by an admin in the app store, it will no longer be available for users to install or use. Any existing installations of the app may also stop functioning depending on the behavior defined in the app’s code when it is disabled or removed.
How can end-users provide feedback or request new apps to be added to the Microsoft Teams app store?
End-users can provide feedback or request new apps through various means provided by their organization, such as through user surveys, feedback forms, or direct communication with the admin or IT support team.
What level of integration is possible between custom apps and core Microsoft solutions within Teams?
Teams allows for deep integration between custom apps and core Microsoft solutions. With the Teams platform, custom-made apps can be built to leverage the capabilities of Microsoft Graph, utilize SharePoint as a hosting platform, or even integrate directly with Office programs.
Explain the role of the Microsoft 365 admin center in managing and customizing the app store experience for Teams users.
The Microsoft 365 admin center allows organizations to manage various aspects of Teams, including the app store. Admins can control which apps are available to users, manage app permissions and settings, customize the user experience with setup policies, and access analytics for monitoring app usage and performance.
How can ISVs and third-party developers contribute to the range of apps available in the Microsoft Teams app store?
Independent software vendors (ISVs) and third-party developers can contribute to the app range by developing and submitting their apps to the Microsoft Teams app store. This is done through the Teams app submission process, which requires the apps to meet certain criteria and pass a review process before they are approved for inclusion in the store.
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