MC1108847 – (Updated) Microsoft Places: Built in Admin roles support (archived)

Product:

Entra, Exchange, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message

Links:

488103

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Places will support Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) via Exchange Online and Microsoft Entra starting September 2025, enabling centralized and delegated management through built-in admin roles for Places, building, and desk administrators. This decentralizes management, reduces IT overhead, and aligns access with real-world roles.

Details:
Updated October 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
We're introducing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in Microsoft Places to help IT administrators securely delegate management responsibilities to centralized Places administrators or local stakeholders such as building or desk managers. This update enhances operational efficiency and aligns access with real-world roles.
This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 488103
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout is expected to begin in September 2025 (previously August) and is expected to complete in mid-October 2025 (previously September).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-07-04

updated:
2025-10-16

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Decentralized Management Risks
Without proper preparation, the decentralization of management may lead to unauthorized access to sensitive resources, as local administrators may not be adequately trained or vetted.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Building Administrators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=488103

User Experience Disruption
If the role assignments and management processes are not clearly communicated, users may face confusion or delays in accessing resources, impacting their productivity.
   - roles: Desk Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=488103

Configutation Options**

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Data Protection**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft is introducing a new feature in Microsoft Places that will allow for more efficient management of spaces like buildings and desks. This is done through something called Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which is a bit like having different keys for different doors in an office. Just as you wouldn't give every employee a master key to the entire building, RBAC allows you to give specific access to different people based on their roles.

With this update, there will be three main roles: Places administrators, building administrators, and desk administrators. Think of the Places administrator as the head office manager who oversees everything. They have the power to onboard new features and assign roles to others. Building administrators are like floor managers who take care of specific buildings and the spaces within them, such as floors and rooms. Desk administrators focus on managing the desks, similar to how a team leader might assign desks to team members.

This approach decentralizes management, meaning that not everything has to go through a central IT department. Instead, responsibilities are shared with those who are directly involved with the spaces, much like how a company might have different departments handling their own tasks. This reduces the workload for IT and ensures that only the right people have access to manage specific resources.

For organizations using Microsoft Places, it's important to plan how these roles will be assigned to support the smooth running of operations. This change doesn't affect how data is stored, but it does mean that access to certain information, like room and desk details, is more controlled and aligned with the roles people have in the real world.