MICROSOFT TEAMS CALLING
As well as being an internal communication tool, Microsoft Teams can also be configured as a phone system
Move To A Microsoft Teams Phone System With Akita
With a Microsoft Teams calling solution, organisations who have – or are considering adopting – Teams can transform the way they communicate.
With the addition of a calling solution, Teams can be an effective replacement for PSTN and ISDN telephone systems. Organisations can then make phone calls to external numbers from within the Teams application.
A Teams calling setup offers a flexible way to communicate and is a cheaper solution than many traditional telecoms setups.
Akita offers three ways to adopt a Microsoft Teams phone system. For more information on each solution, please get in touch:
Microsoft Teams Calling Solution #1
MICROSOFT 365 BUSINESS VOICE SERVICES
Microsoft 365 Business Voice is a simple additional per-user licence that transforms Microsoft Teams into a calling system.
Once a Business Voice licence is activated, Teams becomes like a regular desk phone. And with Teams calling, users get their own phone numbers to make and receive calls. Because Business Voice is a part of Teams, you can turn any PC, Mac, or mobile device into a phone to field your organisation’s calls.
All the regular features of a phone system are included with Business Voice. This includes features such as voice mail, caller ID, shared phone lines and emergency calls. You can also set up standard and freephone numbers, call menus to help callers get to the right department, audio conferencing to host meetings, call recording, and much more.
Business Voice is ideal for organisations of 300 people or fewer. There are domestic (1200 minutes per user/month) and domestic/international (600 minutes each per user/month) calling packages available depending on your requirements.
And as a Microsoft partner, Akita can supply and install any Microsoft 365 licensing you require for Teams or Business Voice.
Microsoft Teams Calling Solution #2
3CX & Microsoft Teams Telephony
As a 3CX partner, Akita is adept at maximising this VoIP phone platform‘s functionality. And this includes utilising 3CX as a solution for Teams Calling.
This solution is ideal for organisations already using 3CX or those who wish to operate with both Teams calling and a traditional phone system. Using 3CX’s architecture, users can dial out from and receive phone calls from within Microsoft Teams.
This solution can support an organisation’s objectives of having Microsoft Teams as their unified communications platform – enabling users to manage all messaging, group chats, external phone calls and video conferencing from a single platform,
Microsoft Teams Calling Solution #3
Direct Routing Teams Telephony
Supported by one of the leading names in telecoms, Direct Routing offers the same functionality as Microsoft Business Voice – just with more flexibility available from calling packages.
Other than the technical configuration, the main difference between the offerings is the minutes available. Our package offers 2000 landline minutes per user/month for the same cost as Business Voice. If you take a three-year contract with us, this changes to 2000 landline minutes and 2000 mobile minutes per user/month.
Direct Routing also gives you access to SIP Trunk Call Manager – one place to manage phone numbers, call routing, call queues, call reporting and more.
So if your organisation makes a high volume of calls, Direct Routing solution could be the more cost-effective way of turning Teams into a calling solution.
Benefits of Using Microsoft Teams as a Phone System
- True Unified Communications: Microsoft Teams integrates voice calling with chat, video conferencing and collaboration tools, providing a single platform for all communication needs. This reduces the need for multiple applications, streamlining workflows and improving productivity.
- Seamless Integration With Microsoft 365: Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, meaning it works seamlessly with tools like Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive. This integration allows users to schedule calls, access documents, and share files directly within the same environment.
- Scalability & Flexibility: Teams as a phone system is scalable, accommodating businesses of all sizes. Whether you have a small team or a global organisation, Teams telephony can adapt to your needs without requiring significant infrastructure investments.
- Cost Efficiency: By consolidating phone services within Microsoft Teams, businesses can eliminate the need for traditional PBX systems and reduce costs associated with separate phone plans, maintenance, and hardware.
- Advanced Features and Analytics: Teams offers advanced calling features such as voicemail, call queues, auto-attendants, and call recording. Built-in analytics provide insights into call performance, helping businesses monitor usage and optimise communication strategies.
Microsoft Teams Calling
Case Study: How We Make Teams Telephony Work For Organisations At Scale
IT Hardware Procurement
Teams Phone System Hardware
As well as configuring Microsoft Teams as a calling solution, Akita can supply any calling hardware you may require.
Whether you plan to use Bluetooth headsets to pair with laptops, mobile phone handsets for answering on the go or you want phone handsets on every desk, our hardware team can quote you for solutions that will fit both your budget and technical specifications.
For more about moving your organisation to Teams please get in touch:
