Microsoft Teams VoIP Integration: Benefits for Your Business
20 December 2023Did you know that using Microsoft Teams VoIP integration can significantly reduce the complexity of your communication system? By implementing VoIP.ms Teams integration, you can bring advanced VoIP features into Teams, allowing for custom call routing, direct dialing, and voicemail management. This integration supports a smooth transition from traditional office phone systems to a unified communication platform, helping businesses move towards more modern and efficient solutions. With MS Teams VoIP, your team can stay connected and manage all calls within the familiar Microsoft Teams interface, enhancing collaboration and reducing the need for separate communication platforms.
In today's business landscape, effective communication is critical for success. With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, organizations need robust and flexible tools to keep connected. Microsoft Teams, a part of the Microsoft 365 suite, has quickly become a key solution for businesses of all sizes.
According to Microsoft 2024 third quarter earnings conference call, the software had an increased usage intensity from early adopters, including a nearly 50% rise in the number of Copilot-assisted interactions per user in Teams. Additionally, Microsoft has surpassed one million Teams Rooms for the first time.
The company also said that Teams Phone continued its market leadership in cloud calling, surpassing 20 million Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) users – a 30% increase year-over-year.
This growing popularity makes Microsoft Teams VoIP integration a compelling solution for businesses seeking communication through a unified platform, offering a versatile and scalable approach to meet your needs. Let’s dive deeper into how Microsoft Teams supports VoIP and the benefits of a Teams VoIP integration.
Does Microsoft Teams support VoIP?
Yes, Microsoft Teams supports VoIP, allowing users to make phone calls using Voice over Internet Protocol technology. With Teams Phone, the integrated cloud-calling solution, you can make and receive calls from anyone – whether they’re on a landline, mobile phone, or using the Teams app itself. This capability allows your business to connect with various VoIP providers.
With connectors and add-ons, Teams can integrate with external phone systems and VoIP providers to give you a fully functional business phone system. Whether you need to place international calls, manage internal communications, or set up automated call routing, Teams can handle it all. These integrations help businesses to create an end-to-end communication hub, capable of handling both internal team collaboration and external customer engagement.
But how does it work? Teams provides basic VoIP calling features within its ecosystem. However, when integrated with external VoIP providers, such as VoIP.ms, Teams transforms into a cloud-based phone system, helping businesses to integrate desk phones, mobile devices, and laptops into a single communication system.
The Teams VoIP integration allows users to perform functions such as:
- Making and receiving calls directly through Teams, including calls to landlines and mobile numbers.
- Using advanced call-routing features, such as transferring calls to colleagues or departments.
- Switching between Teams devices, allowing you to take calls on your phone, computer, or Teams-enabled VoIP phone.
This system makes it possible to replace traditional phone networks with a more cost-effective solution. Whether your company is remote, hybrid, or in-office, the Teams VoIP integration simplifies communication and keeps everyone connected.
Benefits of a Microsoft Teams VoIP Integration
Integrating Microsoft Teams with a VoIP solution provides numerous advantages, particularly in terms of efficient communications, cutting costs, and improving operational flexibility. Here are the primary benefits of using Microsoft Teams VoIP integration for your business:
1. Single Interface
One of the standout benefits of integrating VoIP with Microsoft Teams is the ability to manage all your communications from a single interface. With Teams, you can make and receive VoIP calls, chat with colleagues, share files, and collaborate on documents without needing to switch between different apps. This unified platform improves efficiency and also reduces the cognitive load of having to shift between multiple communication tools.
2. Cost Savings
For many companies, a significant driver for VoIP integration is the potential for cost savings. By using the internet to make and receive calls, you can reduce the costs associated with traditional phone lines, especially for long-distance and international calls. Also, you no longer need to invest in expensive hardware or maintain physical phone lines.
3. Facilitating remote work
In today’s hybrid work environment, staying connected with remote teams is more than necessary. Microsoft VoIP solution enables distant employees to remain productive by giving them access to the same communication tools as their in-office counterparts. All they need is a reliable internet connection to make and receive VoIP calls through Teams, whether they’re at home, in a coffee shop, or on a business trip.
4. Flexibility
Microsoft Teams VoIP integration offers flexibility, allowing businesses to choose the VoIP provider and features that best meet their needs. You can opt for Microsoft’s own business voice or third-party solutions and tailor your VoIP system to match your business requirements.
5. Scalability
As your organization grows, its communication needs also increase. By integrating VoIP with Microsoft Teams, you can easily scale your system to accommodate new users and features. Whether you’re adding more employees, opening new offices, or increasing the volume of customer calls, VoIP Teams integration gives you a scalability means without needing to transform your communication infrastructure every time your business expands.
What happens if I don't have a VoIP Teams Integration?
Without a full VoIP integration, Teams users may find themselves limited to its built-in communication tools. This can create operational inefficiencies, especially if your organization relies on advanced phone features like external number integration, call routing, or automated responses. Integrating VoIP with Teams eliminates these limitations.
How does a Teams VoIP Integration help my budget?
While Teams is efficient and provides robust communication features, some businesses may hesitate to invest in VoIP integration due to cost considerations. However, it's essential to think beyond the immediate expense and consider the opportunity cost of not having an integrated solution. Missing an important client call or failing to route a customer inquiry efficiently can lead to lost business, which could outweigh any savings from not integrating.
Also, as we said before, by utilizing the internet to make and receive phone calls, your business can significantly reduce the costs typically associated with maintaining traditional phone lines, such as monthly service fees, long-distance charges, and the need for physical infrastructure like wiring and phone hardware.
VoIP.ms Teams Integration: How to set up your communications system
Integrating Teams with VoIP.ms offers advanced call routing, which allows calls to be automatically forwarded to the correct department or employee, regardless of location. This integration can also include features such as voicemail-to-email, which ensures that missed calls are efficiently handled, improving overall customer service.
Setting up your communication system to work with VoIP.ms and Microsoft Teams may be complex, but we will give you the necessary steps to do it. By using the VoIP.ms Teams connector, you can link your VoIP.ms account with Microsoft Teams, allowing you to make and receive phone calls directly from the Teams app on your phone, tablet, or desktop. This means that Teams acts as your phone, using its built-in dial pad to handle calls just like a regular phone.
The integration is made possible through third-party tools that allows VoIP.ms to work with Microsoft Teams. Not only can you make and receive calls, but you can also send and receive text messages directly within the Teams app.
Before getting started, you’ll need at least a Microsoft E1 license to use this connector. Here’s a very simplified step-by-step configuration for Teams VoIP integration with VoIP.ms:
1. Set Up VoIP.ms
Log in to the VoIP.ms website and create accounts for each person who will use the Teams integration.
2. Assign Microsoft Licenses
In the Microsoft Admin Center, give each user a Microsoft Teams Phone license. Make sure the licenses are activated, which can take up to 24 hours.
3. Request the Activation Link from VoIP.ms
Send an email to [email protected] with the number of licenses you need and the email of the Microsoft Global Administrator. Wait for them to send you a unique activation link.
4. Approve Permissions
The global administrator will receive an email and need to click the “Complete” button. Then, log in to the ConnectToTeams Portal, approve the required permissions, and sync the users.
5. Set Up Direct Routing
In the ConnectToTeams Portal, go to the Direct Routing section. Make sure the Microsoft licenses are ready, choose the gateway, and finish the Direct Routing setup.
6. Set Up PBX
Go to the PBX section in the ConnectToTeams Portal and create a new PBX connection. Enter the required VoIP.ms settings.
7. Add Users to the Teams Connector
In the Teams Connector admin page, go to the Users section and add users one at a time.
Once everything is set up, you’ll be able to enjoy the full range of VoIP.ms features while communicating through Microsoft Teams.
Click here if you need to see a detailed explanation. You can also find a step-by-step tutorial on the VoIP.ms channel on YouTube.
Why should I get VoIP Teams
Even if you don’t require full VoIP integration today, it’s important to think about your future communication needs. As your organization grows, you may find that your current system no longer meets your needs. By planning for integration now, you can ensure that your business has the communication tools it needs to scale efficiently without disruptions
Microsoft Teams VoIP unification offers a powerful solution for businesses of all sizes, enabling streamlined collaboration, cost savings, and scalability. Whether you’re managing a remote team or working in a traditional office environment, the flexibility and feature set offered by Teams VoIP make it an ideal choice for businesses.
With integrations to top VoIP providers like VoIP.ms, Teams becomes a comprehensive business phone system that bridges internal collaboration with external communication, ensuring your team stays connected and productive at all times.
If you haven’t already explored Microsoft Teams VoIP, now is the time to consider how this tool can transform your organization’s communication strategy for the better.
Share:
Back to Blog