The modern workplace has undergone a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements and evolving work preferences. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this shift, propelling many businesses toward hybrid work arrangements that combine remote and in-office work setups.

To effectively navigate this new landscape, businesses need to deploy powerful communication and collaboration solutions. Microsoft Teams has emerged as a frontrunner in this domain, providing a cloud-based platform that facilitates real-time messaging, file sharing, and project collaboration.

But did you know that Teams can do even more for your business? By integrating a cloud-based phone system with Microsoft Teams’ Direct Routing feature, you can take your business communication system to a whole new level.

Understanding Cloud-Based Telephony Systems

Cloud-based telephony systems have revolutionized the way businesses communicate, offering a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional landline phone systems. These systems utilize the internet’s infrastructure to transmit voice calls instead of copper wires and the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Cloud-based phone systems offer several advantages, including:

• Accessibility: Since cloud-based phone systems transmit voice calls over the internet, users can easily call anyone from any location with a stable connection and using any device.
• Cost-effectiveness: Cloud-based systems typically offer lower rates compared to traditional landline services.
• Scalability: Businesses can easily request or remove virtual phone lines and features from their cloud phone provider.
• Advanced features: Cloud-based systems often include numerous advanced features, such as call recording, voicemail transcription, and call analytics.

Microsoft Teams Phone: A Virtual Phone with Limitations

Microsoft Teams, through its add-on feature Teams Phone, can act as a virtual phone, integrating Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling capabilities into its existing suite of collaboration tools. This enables users to make and receive calls directly within their Teams interface, enhancing communication and streamlining workflows.

However, Teams Phone alone cannot connect to the PSTN, limiting its use to internal communication or calls with other users of Teams or similar apps, such as Slack. This is where Direct Routing comes into play.

Direct Routing: Bridging the Gap Between Microsoft Teams Phones and the PSTN

Direct Routing seamlessly connects Microsoft Teams calls to the PSTN using session border controllers (SBCs) and an existing business telephone system. This integration expands the reach of Teams Phones, enabling business phone lines to be accessed from anywhere.

SBCs are network security devices that safeguard VoIP communications. They act as gatekeepers, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity of data transmitted over various networks. While numerous SBCs exist, Direct Routing exclusively supports those that have undergone rigorous testing and certification by Microsoft.

Unlocking the Benefits of Direct Routing

Direct Routing offers many benefits to businesses, including:

• Enhanced flexibility: Employees can make and receive calls using their business phone lines through the Teams client on their smartphones or laptops, regardless of their location.
• Reduced costs: Direct Routing allows businesses to choose from a wide range of telephony service providers, often at lower rates than Microsoft’s calling plans. Additionally, it eliminates the need for expensive telephone hardware.
• Streamlined communication: Centralizing communication through Teams simplifies communication processes, improving the experience for employees, vendors, and customers.
• Granular control: IT departments can effectively monitor usage patterns, enforce calling limits, troubleshoot issues, and implement security measures with greater control over a centralized telephony system.

AllConnected, a trusted managed IT services provider, can help you seamlessly implement Microsoft Teams Phone with Direct Routing, tailored to your specific business needs. We’ll make sure you maximize the benefits of this innovative communications solution so you can quickly get a return on your IT investment. Get in touch with us today.