# How-to Guide: Extend Your Bot Availability and Functionality in MS Teams

Authors name: [Nhu Ho](/content/product-updates/author/nhu-ho/index.html) September 4, 2022

Wading through numerous business apps and systems only to search for a piece of information is tiresome and kills productivity. A virtual agent natively integrated into your internal communication channel can lend a helping hand. It’s like a good kind of “know-it-all” digital colleague who can provide your team with instant answers and support on demand.

### Upgrade Your Virtual Agent in Microsoft Teams

If you’re using Microsoft Teams, Cognigy.AI lets you easily connect and make your bot accessible via direct chat (using [Azure Bot Services Endpoint](https://support.cognigy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016183720#description-0-0)) or via mentions in a specific Teams channel (using [MS Teams Endpoint](https://support.cognigy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016224039#description-0-0)).

But what if you want to take the next step and **enable global bot availability for anyone within your organization**?

Our [**latest Help Center Article**](https://support.cognigy.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407005594770-Microsoft-Teams-Create-a-Teams-App-For-Additional-Functionality#table-of-contents-0-0) shows you how to achieve this in a few simple steps by creating a Teams App in the Developer Portal. With this approach, any employee with permission can install and add the Virtual Agent to any conversation directly in MS Teams – be it a direct chat with the bot, a 1:1 chat with another colleague, or a group chat.

Plus, creating a Teams App for your bot allows you to **upload files and images for further download and processing in other third-party applications** like RPA, ticketing system, and more with Cognigy.AI.

For this integration, all you need is Azure Bot Services, MS Teams Developer Portal and your Cognigy.AI account.

Sounds exciting? Check out [our guide](https://support.cognigy.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407005594770-Microsoft-Teams-Create-a-Teams-App-For-Additional-Functionality#table-of-contents-0-0) and experience it firsthand!

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