Combining VOIP and Universal Access for Better Business Communication
Microsoft has answered the call from businesses that wished for a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) system from the venerable software firm. Its software, Microsoft Voice, provides VOIP phones and video calling.
Available as an add-on to Microsoft Teams, the VOIP application includes phone, chat, and meeting features. Using it, you can place a phone call from within Teams, Outlook, or on any mobile device. You can use it to call a phone, another Teams user in the app, or another VOIP line.
When your company adds the Microsoft 365 Business Voice add-on, it can provide a virtual, transferable phone number an employee can forward to their personal cell phone. This process lets the employee accept work calls anywhere while protecting their home or mobile phone number.
Microsoft compares its service to Google Voice but provides a large-scale version designed for business. The basic service costs $15 per user and can take the place of a traditional phone system. Available in 18 countries, the basic plan includes 3,000 minutes of calling per month per user.
You can use Microsoft Voice to provide a safe, secure phone system. It works with your existing headsets, microphones, and other calling and conferencing equipment designed for voice chat.
What Can You Do With Teams & Voice?
Combining the two applications helps you increase productivity. You can better collaborate because you can screen share while in a phone call and make video calls as if you were using Zoom.
The software lets you add people to the call while it is in progress. That means you can start with a one-on-one conversation, then add people as needed to turn it into a group video call. Of course, they still have to be available to talk.
Each employee determines their own settings to set their system in “do not disturb” or have messages go to voicemail. Microsoft Voice also includes features for reverse number lookup and delegation.
The administrator of your computer systems can set everything up in the centralized Microsoft 365 admin console. From one dashboard, you can assign phone numbers, provision users, and port existing numbers.
Use the auto attendant for routing calls based on the rule sets you to create. You can have the system auto-answer inbound calls. Your rule sets can include languages spoken, availability, and time zone. You can also connect your favourite contact center software with the program and partner compliance recording solutions.
Integrating this feature into Teams lets you make phone calls from a Teams chat or group meeting. You can phone a person who is not on the team but who might have valuable input from within the chat and share the audio with the rest of the chat members.
Microsoft designed the software for scalability. Voice offers a 365 E5 Enterprise plan for companies needing to support 300 or more users. For $57 per user per month, you get full PBX capabilities, audio conferencing with up to 300 phone attendees, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise, Office for the web, 365 Apps for Enterprise, Office mobile apps, Exchange, Outlook, and more.
Contact CTECH for more information on setting up and integrating Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Voice. We can help you transition more easily and train your employees to best use the VOIP system.
My passion is to make my mark on the world in a positive and lasting way. I want to set an example for my son that his father can compete with integrity in today’s world, be very successful, and leave the world a better place for him.
Combining my technical/business-based education with a long career steadily progressing up the corporate ladder, I decided to build a company that held true to my values. So, I founded and designed the next generation of IT support firm: CTECH Consulting Group Inc. We are a completely automated, cloud-based IT company designed to compete against any other IT firm without the overhead. We promote a lifestyle to all our staff where they can work anywhere, at any time, access any information on any device that is relevant to their job, and collaborate with anyone they want to.
What Is Your IT Company Doing For You?
Find Out Why Hundreds Of Business Professionals Trust CTECH For Their Technology Solutions.
CTECH Consulting Group provides...
- A detailed analysis of your current IT company and the work they are doing for you
- An action plan to address operational any or all issues
- A detailed budget and project plan
Get the clarity your organization needs to get your IT back on track. Completely risk-free, with no-obligation.