In our rapidly changing digital landscape, businesses are quickly reconsidering their approach to communication and collaboration tools. While traditional phone systems have served businesses well for years, they are cumbersome, expensive, and incompatible with modern workplace productivity tools. Microsoft Teams emerges as a game-changer—a comprehensive collaboration hub that seamlessly integrates robust telephony features alongside its well-known messaging and video conferencing capabilities.
If you’re still anchored to a traditional phone system, here’s why switching to Microsoft Teams makes sense—and how you can do it using two flexible options: Microsoft Calling Plans or Direct Routing.
What is a Microsoft Calling Plan?
A Microsoft Calling Plan allows you to make and receive calls directly from Microsoft Teams without the need for a traditional phone line or equipment. With a Calling Plan, Microsoft acts as your telephony provider. You subscribe to their service, which assigns you a phone number or you can keep your existing number and Teams will take care of the rest.
Getting started with a Microsoft Calling Plan
This is a simple, straightforward option ideal for small to mid-sized businesses looking to centralize communications under one provider. To get started with a Microsoft Calling Plan in 3 easy steps, you’ll need:
- Licensing: Ensure you have a Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscription that includes Teams and Phone System capabilities.
- Choose Your Calling Plan: Microsoft offers different plans based on your call volume needs (domestic-only or international calling).
- Set up: Access phone numbers directly through the Microsoft Teams Admin Center, assign them to users, and you’re set.
What is Direct Routing?
For businesses that have more complex requirements and need a flexible solution, Direct Routing is a great alternative to the standard Microsoft calling plans. It allows you to connect your existing phone system to Microsoft Teams using a third-party service like the Microsoft Teams Direct Routing solution from ifonica. This service allows you to make calls from Microsoft Teams using a Session Border Controller (SBC) which offers a lot more flexibility than a standard calling plan.
Key Benefits of Direct Routing:
- Lower costs: Direct Routing can often be more cost-effective, especially for businesses with high call volumes or international operations.
- Keep your existing phone number(s): Unlike some migrations to new systems, you can keep your existing phone numbers.
- Flexible Partnerships: By partnering with telephony providers like ifonica, you can customize your solution to meet your specific communication needs.
- Global Reach: Direct Routing is particularly beneficial for business operating in areas where Microsoft Calling Plans aren’t available.
Getting started with Direct Routing:
- Partner with a certified Direct Routing provider, like ifonica, who can integrate your existing phone setup with Microsoft Teams.
- Work with your provider to configure and deploy a Session Border Controller (SBC), which allows you to make and receive calls through Microsoft Teams.
- Port your existing phone number(s) and setup your Teams environment for your business communications.
Yes, you can still use a desk phone
One of the common concerns when switching to a digital phone system is losing the familiarity of a traditional desk phone. Fortunately, Microsoft Teams supports hardware options that give you the best of both worlds.
You can purchase Teams-certified phones, such as the Grandstream GXP or Yealink’s MP E2 series of IP desk phones that range from offering basic features to more high-end or advanced functionality. Teams-certified phones operate like traditional desk handsets used in common areas, front desks, or general office use but with full integration to Teams. Using these handset devices allows you to:
- Make and receive calls through your Teams account.
- Access features like voicemail, conferencing, and call transfers directly from the device.
Why make the switch?
By moving away from traditional phone systems to Microsoft Teams, businesses can reap some excellent productivity and cost-saving benefits, like:
- Seamless Integration: Teams combine calls, chats, video and collaboration tools in one place.
- Cost-savings: Whether you choose a Microsoft Calling Plan or Direct Routing your overall telephony costs are reduced by removing the need for any on-premise equipment and maintenance.
- Scalability: As your business needs change, you can easily add or remove users without the limitation of physical phone lines.
- Mobility: Make and receive calls from anywhere using the Teams app on your desktop or mobile device.
- Advanced Features: Access features like voicemail transcription, call analytics, and AI-powered productivity tools, as well as other Microsoft 365 apps directly within Teams.
Switching to Microsoft Teams for telephony is more than just an upgrade, it’s a step towards better productivity and communication. Whether you choose the simplicity of a Microsoft Calling Plan or the flexibility of Direct Routing—leveraging Microsoft Teams as your all-in-one phone solution is a cost-effective way to modernize your business communications.
Explore the best telephony options for your business with ifonica Microsoft Teams Direct Routing. Get in touch with one of our experts.
