There are a number of benefits of having a Microsoft account that aren’t often talked about, and many of which can be extremely useful in this new hybrid working environment. One such benefit is access to its Sway software, which can be used either in-browser or in its Windows desktop app.
Sway is a piece of software that Microsoft suggests can be used for newsletters, presentations, and communications. It differs from PowerPoint in that where PowerPoint can be used to make a presentation for someone to present live to an audience, Sway can be used to create an interactive presentation that the recipients can peruse at their own pace and in their own time.
It creates a document that can then be accessed and viewed in a browser. Other people can add to or edit the document like any other if given permission, or it can be set to view-only to share the finished product.
Multimedia and dynamic content can be added, such as photos, animations, videos, links, other documents, or even online content, using a simple drag-and-drop interface. A selection of templates are also available to allow anyone the chance to create an engaging and visually interesting presentation with little experience. It will also auto-adjust the layout of content dynamically for display on a variety of devices, meaning your presentation stays smooth and well-styled whether the user is viewing it on their desktop or on a mobile device.
In a hybrid environment, it can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, it could be used to make a newsletter-style communication, to keep all members of a team up to date with changes and news within the organisation as a whole, whether they are working at the office or remotely. Of course, this could be accomplished using an email, but using a tool such as Sway to create it can make the content more engaging and appealing on the whole. Frequent relevant news and updates can aid the team members in feeling they’re a part of a cohesive unit; helping to combat the feelings of disconnection that are sometimes experienced when working remotely.
The tool is also used by some organisations to create engaging and interactive training materials for software and services, giving users a valuable resource that they can refer to as necessary. This can also help with inclusivity and accessibility, as it can help team members to complete the training at their own pace, or use aids such as the screen reader or captions on videos.
