Yammer Review - Features, Pricing & Deals

Yammer, now known as Microsoft Viva Engage, is a corporate social networking platform that helps teams communicate and share knowledge within organizations. It's part of the Microsoft 365 suite and works to create a more connected workplace environment.

The platform functions like a private social network for businesses, letting employees post updates, share files, and join topic-based communities. Teams can use it to reduce email clutter, organize discussions, and keep everyone up to date with company news.

Key features include community spaces for department-specific discussions, live events that can host up to 10,000 viewers, and AI-powered content suggestions that show users the most relevant information. The platform also works smoothly with other Microsoft tools like Teams and SharePoint.

Companies can access Yammer through various Microsoft 365 subscriptions, with specific Viva Engage plans starting at $2 per user monthly. The platform's mobile apps for iOS and Android help teams stay connected on the go, while built-in moderation tools let administrators keep discussions appropriate and productive.

Organizations typically use Yammer to:

• Share company updates and announcements
• Connect employees across different departments
• Build communities around shared interests
• Collect feedback and ideas from staff
• Recognize employee achievements

While similar to public social networks in its design, Yammer focuses specifically on workplace communication and collaboration. Its familiar interface makes it easy for most employees to start using it right away.

• Social Media-Like Interface: Provides a familiar Facebook-style platform where employees can easily post, comment, and share content across the organization with intuitive navigation.
• Dynamic Work Communities: Create topic-focused groups that enable employees to connect around specific departments, projects, or interests, fostering targeted collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Comprehensive Content Sharing: Share files, documents, and multimedia content with robust search functionality that helps users quickly find relevant information and organizational experts.
• Enterprise-Scale Live Events: Host virtual gatherings supporting up to 10,000 attendees, including town halls, product launches, and training sessions that can be streamed live or watched on-demand.
• Employee Recognition Platform: Provide a digital space for acknowledging achievements, sharing feedback, and boosting organizational morale through interactive communication tools.
• Seamless Microsoft 365 Integration: Connect effortlessly with Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint, creating a unified communication ecosystem that enhances workplace productivity.
• AI-Powered Content Recommendation: Leverage artificial intelligence to curate personalized content feeds, ensuring employees see the most relevant and important organizational updates.
• Mobile Work Connectivity: Access organizational conversations and share updates through highly-rated mobile apps for iOS and Android, enabling communication from anywhere.
• Advanced Conversation Management: Utilize robust reporting and customization features that allow organizations to maintain professional communication standards and protect workplace interactions.

• Microsoft Viva Employee Communications and Communities plan costs $2 per user per month, including premium community features and company-branded apps.
• Microsoft Viva Suite offers a comprehensive plan at $12 per user per month, providing advanced tools with data-driven and AI insights.
• Office 365 E1 is priced at approximately $10.50 USD per user per month, bundling email, file storage, web apps, meetings, and chats.
• Office 365 E3 costs around $28.20 USD per user per month, featuring enterprise-level Microsoft 365 apps with enhanced security and compliance options.

Yammer and Teams serve different purposes in your workplace. Teams works best for close collaboration with your immediate team through chat, calls, and meetings. Yammer (now called Viva Engage) is designed for company-wide conversations and building community across departments. Think of Teams as your office for daily work with colleagues, while Yammer is more like your company town square where everyone can share ideas, ask questions, and connect with people they might not work with directly.

Yes, you need a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Yammer/Viva Engage. Most business and enterprise plans include it as part of the package. If your organization already uses other Microsoft 365 tools like Outlook or SharePoint, you likely have access to Yammer already. Just sign in with your work email and password at yammer.com or through the Microsoft 365 app launcher.

Yammer gives you several options for controlling your post visibility. When posting in an All Company community, everyone in your organization can see it. If you post in a specific community, only members of that community will see your content. You can also create private communities for sensitive discussions. Keep in mind that Yammer is designed for open communication, so even in public communities, your posts may reach people you don't directly work with. This openness helps break down silos but means you should always post with the wider audience in mind.

Getting people to use Yammer regularly takes some effort. Start by finding champions who will post regularly and engage with others' content. Create communities around topics people care about, not just work projects. Share wins and recognize team members publicly. Ask questions that invite responses, and make sure leadership participates visibly. Schedule time to check Yammer during your day until it becomes a habit. The more useful and engaging content people find, the more likely they'll return and contribute themselves.

By default, Yammer is closed to outside users and only accessible to people with email addresses from your organization's domain. However, your admin can set up external networks or groups that allow specific outside partners to join conversations while keeping them separate from your internal discussions. This can be useful for project collaboration with partners or gathering feedback from clients. Check with your IT team about your organization's policies on external access before inviting outside users.