Techcrunch: Is Microsoft about to enter the e-learning market?

Microsoft has added StaffHub - an application designed to manage staff – to a number of its Office 365 business plans. 

The company blog states it supports HR functions, enabling staff to “schedule management, information sharing and the ability to connect to other work-related apps and resources,” which employees can access via mobile apps that are free download. 

Messages and updates can also be sent to employees, and the company blog states that StaffHub “will support connections to Kronos.” The blog explains that StaffHub is available as part of the Office 365 K1, E1, E3 and E5 plans (including the Education version). 

Recently we spoke to Tom Carroll, Head of EMEA Corporate Research at real estate company JLL, about ways in which technology will redefine the workplace in 2017. In order for StaffHub to be accessed and used by contingent workers, connectivity will be an important aspect – a topic that was also raised in HR Grapevine’s interview with iNTERTAIN’s CEO and Head of HR at the end of last year. The hospitality company uses technology to allow employees to choose L&D when it suits them; Microsoft’s plan for StaffHub to give uses “the ability to connect to other work-related apps and resources” sounds markedly similar to the intentions of their Chief Executive Officer, John Leslie, and Head of HR, Nina Marshall.