This article will present an overview of Microsoft Stream, as well as its professional uses for sharing video content with those who work within an organization.

What is Microsoft Stream?

Microsoft Stream is a video management service through which those in an organization can upload, organize, and share videos in a secure environment. Stream was designed to be used by all employees in both small and large organizations for collaboration and learning. This versatile app has many uses, from recording meetings, training sessions, or presentations, to tagging videos at specific time points for further discussion.

Video content is a powerful way to disperse information. However, most professionals aren’t formally trained with screen-recording software. Stream offers its users an easy way to record and share videos. Since its launch in 2016, Stream has become known as a combination of SharePoint and YouTube. However, unlike YouTube, only Microsoft 365 users have access to Stream content and can add their own videos to this app. Stream makes it possible for users to decide who has access to video content, and how widely it should be dispersed through an organization. 

Stream users can record up to fifteen minutes of video content as either a screen-only recording, screen-and-camera recording, or camera-only recording. The recorded content is then stored in Stream, where edits can be performed, such as noise suppression or cuts to the opening or ending. Any timestamps that were typed in the video description will be transformed into hyperlinks, which enables viewers to move to any point in the video with just one click.

Microsoft Office Classes: Live & Hands-on, In NYC or Online, Learn From Experts, Free Retake, Small Class Sizes, 1-on-1 Bonus Training. Named a Top Bootcamp by Forbes, Fortune, & Time Out. Noble Desktop. Learn More.

Professional Uses of Microsoft Stream

Stream has many professional applications across industries. Here are just a few real-world examples of this app in action:

  • A CEO at an organization may wish to quickly share an important announcement with employees across the organization. The camera-only recording option provides a way for them to record a message so that it appears as if they are speaking directly to each audience member. 
  • When a longtime employee leaves a company after many years, those at the organization may wish to ensure that the knowledge they accrued isn’t lost with their exit. In order to preserve a record of the most important tasks this individual completed and how they did so, a Stream channel can be created in which videos of these core tasks are recorded. This provides a way for their successor to have access to this important information, even after the employee moves on.
  • HR teams who wish to let employees know about a new policy can use Stream to easily record a video with the “screen and camera” option. This short video explains the new policy in detail, and also points out where more information can be found. 

Benefits & Drawbacks of Using Microsoft Stream

Stream users cite many benefits of working with this application, as well as several drawbacks, to be aware of when deciding if this is the right product for your organization:

Benefits

  • Stream is part of the Microsoft Office 365 family of applications, which means that it integrates well with other Microsoft apps, such as Yammer, SharePoint, OneNote, and Teams. In addition, all file types, such as images, videos, presentations, and documents, can be viewed by using SharePoint. Also, a Stream Start Page displays all videos currently on OneDrive and SharePoint.
  • Stream users can establish their own customized retention policy for video content.
  • Users can perform basic video analytics using Stream.
  • Videos stored in Stream can be easily found and accessed via this centralized location.
  • If a Stream user isn’t satisfied with a recording, they simply select “record again” to give it another try before it is published on the video portal.
  • Stream users have access to their company’s most popular or trending videos.
  • In order to ensure that videos can later be searched by content, their audio component is transcribed automatically. In addition, this application is able to provide autogenerated captions to ensure that video content is accessible to all users. These captions are also searchable for future reference.
  • Channels or groups can be created in Stream for specific employees or for those across the company to view.
  • Content recorded in Stream can be accessed from any location and at any time since it is stored in the cloud. This guarantees that all employees, even those who work remotely or may be traveling or absent, have access to important announcements, content, and updates.

Drawbacks 

  • Users cannot edit transcripts via Stream. This application also doesn’t support manually uploading transcripts or closed captions.
  • Forms or quizzes embedded within videos are not supported in Stream.
  • Some users feel that the process of managing video channels is tedious. It may be necessary for IT departments to provide assistance with authorizations. 
  • The interface is fairly unremarkable and outdated.
  • Some users with for more comprehensive editing features, such as the ability to trim video content from the middle of recordings. Because of the relatively limited video editing features in Stream, some users opt to edit video content using third-party software rather than perform edits directly in Stream.
  • For users who wish to share a recording of a meeting with someone who was not initially invited, it can be challenging to grant them access.
  • Stream does not currently provide an option for compressing videos for download. 

Despite the few above-mentioned drawbacks to Microsoft Stream, most users consider this application to be a user-friendly, helpful tool for communicating information and ideas through video.

Start Learning Microsoft Office with Hands-On Classes

Knowing how to use Microsoft Office’s many applications can open professional doors across industries, as well as lead to upward career mobility. A great way to begin learning about Microsoft Office is to sign up for one of Noble Desktop’s Microsoft Office courses. These small group classes are offered in-person in Manhattan, as well as in the live online format, in topics such as Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. 

For students and professionals on the go, there are also in-person and live online Microsoft Office courses available through Noble Desktop or one of its affiliate schools. A variety of course options are offered, ranging in duration from three hours to three days and costing between $229 and $1,785. You can also browse in-person Microsoft Office classes in a city near you to find study options near home.