From MS Teams to Sparks – familiar interface, European hosting
Sparks is the European MS Teams replacement – same feature depth, familiar interface, no retraining. Switch at low migration cost: either via parallel operation (Teams + Sparks) or in phases towards full de-migration. Hosted in the EU, no CLOUD Act.
How the transition works
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Use in parallel
Sparks connects to Teams calendar, Teams chats and channels. You can migrate step by step and keep both worlds connected – without giving up Teams immediately.
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Familiar experience
Video conferencing, breakout rooms, whiteboard and chat – many features you know from Teams are available in Sparks.
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More sovereignty
Open protocols, EU hosting and E2EE. Less vendor lock-in, better control over data and infrastructure.
Two paths: parallel operation or de-migration
You can use Sparks in parallel with Teams first (same M365 data, one additional interface) or plan a step-by-step de-migration from the start. Both paths can be combined: many start with parallel operation and only move to reducing Teams in phase 2 or 3.
Parallel operation: Teams and Sparks at the same time
In parallel operation, your data stays in Microsoft 365 (Exchange, Teams, Planner). Sparks is used as an additional interface for meetings and – after connection – for chat and channels. The Teams app can continue to be used or gradually take a back seat.
Steps for starting parallel operation
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Set up Sparks and connect M365
Sparks instance (hosted or on your side) with connection to your Microsoft 365 tenant. Calendar (Exchange), Teams chats and channels, and optionally Planner are connected. Users sign in with the same identities (e.g. Azure AD / Entra ID).
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Run meetings in Sparks
New meetings or selected appointments are scheduled and held in Sparks. Participants use the Sparks link instead of the Teams link. Appointments can remain in the same Exchange/Teams calendar – no double maintenance.
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Use chat and channels in Sparks (optional)
Once Teams chats and channels are connected, users can view and use the same conversations and channels in Sparks. The Teams app can become unnecessary for these users; others can continue to work in Teams.
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Gradually reduce Teams (optional)
After a stabilisation period, you decide whether to limit Teams use to certain scenarios or adjust licensing. Full exit from Teams is possible but not required – many stay in parallel operation permanently.
Phase plan: step-by-step de-migration
If you want to not only use Sparks in parallel but replace Teams in the long term, a phase plan is recommended. Each phase can span several weeks or months; the boundaries are flexible.
Phase 1: Meetings in Sparks
Focus on video meetings. Calendar and identity stay in M365; meetings are scheduled and held in Sparks.
- Connect Sparks to M365/Exchange calendar and identity
- Pilot teams use Sparks for internal and selected external meetings
- Switch invitation links and meeting room logic to Sparks (or keep hybrid)
- Gather feedback, provide support and training
Phase 2: Chat and channels in Sparks
Teams chats and channels are connected in Sparks. Users can have the same conversations in Sparks; the Teams app becomes optional for day-to-day use.
- Enable connection of Teams chats and channels in Sparks
- Extend pilot to more teams or the whole organisation
- Define policies: where is Teams still used, where only Sparks?
- Use files and tabs (e.g. Planner, WebDAV) in Sparks channels
Phase 3: Reduce or phase out Teams
Teams is only used for clearly defined exceptions or fully replaced. M365 remains the source for email, calendar, Planner and identity; Sparks is the central interface for communication.
- Decide: which scenarios (if any) remain in Teams?
- Licence and admin adjustments with Microsoft (e.g. Teams licences)
- Communicate to all users: Sparks as standard for meetings and chat
- Uninstall Teams app or only provide for exceptions
Full de-migration: what to consider
If you want to fully replace Teams, email, calendar, files (SharePoint/OneDrive) and identity typically remain in Microsoft 365. Only the communication layer (meetings, chat, channels) moves to Sparks.
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Data stays in M365
Exchange calendar, Teams chat history (where connected) and Planner data stay in Microsoft 365. Sparks displays and uses them; a full export from Teams to another platform is only needed if you fully discontinue Teams and no longer want display in Sparks.
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Identity and SSO
User authentication continues via Azure AD / Entra ID. Single sign-on for M365 and Sparks – no duplicate identity management.
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Training and adoption
Training and clear communication reduce uncertainty. Many users find the Sparks interface familiar (calendar, chat, channels, meetings); the transition is often easier than expected.
Decision guide: parallel or de-migration?
The following overview helps with classification.
Parallel operation
Sparks in addition to Teams. Data in M365, one more interface for meetings (and optionally chat). Ideal for testing, pilot teams or if you don’t want to reduce Teams immediately.
Step-by-step de-migration
Clear phases with the goal of reducing or replacing Teams. Ideal if you want less dependence on Teams and more sovereignty (E2EE, EU, open protocols) in the long term.
Screenshots and illustrations (optional)
You can add screenshots here if needed – e.g. Sparks with connected Teams calendar, the channels view or a meeting room. The placeholders below show where which image would make sense.
Example: Calendar view in Sparks with appointments from Microsoft 365 / Teams. Optional: add your own screenshot here.
Example: Channel or chat view with connected Teams conversations. Optional: add your own screenshot here.
Example: Video meeting with lobby or breakout rooms. Optional: add your own screenshot here.