March 26, 2026

 As we approach the end of the fiscal year, we are celebrating the successful conclusion of the Optimization Initiative. This multi-stream effort focused on enhancing our core digital systems – UKG, M365, AlayaCare, and Unison – and providing better learning resources to empower employees to use these systems more effectively.

While the formal initiative wraps up in March, the progress made has built a strong foundation for the future. Below is a highlight of the specific achievements for Microsoft 365.

What did we optimize and why?

Microsoft 365 platform is the foundational digital workspace for employees to communicate, collaborate, and manage various aspects of their work individually and across teams. We recognized the need to move beyond basic usage towards meaningful adoption. The work done was largely focused on collaborating with employees in the field to provide user-friendly training resources and streamline processes to enable more wholesome use of Microsoft 365 tools.

Key achievements include:

  • IT Support Page: One go-to page for “All things IT” accessible via the Staff portal, providing quick and easy access to IT resources. ​Click here to go the IT support page.
  • User Guides: User guides published on the IT resources page. These will aid employees in quickly and easily learning how to best use the tools at their disposal.
    • Microsoft Apps guides: Quick guides for Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive.
    • Device guide: Visual guide describing how different devices function for different systems at Karis so that employees can make an informed decision on when to use which device based on the task at hand.
  • Awareness about access to program teams and supporting processes: Resources clarifying how access to program teams in MS Teams works saving time/effort wasted on explaining/understanding process for DTI, HR and program teams. Click here to read the OTH article that was published.
  • Refined employee onboarding email: Improved employee onboarding experience via simplified and clearer instructions on how to access systems.​

What’s Next?

While the M365 optimization team has concluded its work, the DTI department will continue to work on improving Microsoft 365 and its usage in a business-as-usual capacity.

Thank You

We would like to extend a special thank you to each member of the M365 Focus Group. Your willingness to share real-world frustrations and test new approaches has been invaluable. We appreciate your commitment to making Karis a more digitally connected workplace.

Jeff Ham, Director of Digital, Technology and Innovation
James Palmer, Executive Director, North District