Effective communication in today’s fast-paced business world requires adapting our approach as our tools for connection also evolve. Businesses also need to find ways to make remote and hybrid work fit with their long-term goals, as recent stats in 2023 show that 87% of employees prefer to work mostly remotely. If you want to thrive in this new environment, relying solely on traditional communication methods won’t cut it anymore.
Enter Microsoft Teams Phone, the exciting communication system that integrates the Teams app into a traditional office phone to transform workplace communication.
Your business may already use Microsoft Teams daily to simplify collaboration. But are you optimizing Microsoft’s full range of options for using this software?
If you want to learn how to adopt Microsoft Teams Phone into your business’s communication strategy, this article dives deep into this cutting-edge solution’s features and benefits. With this knowledge, your business can significantly improve productivity to heights you never thought possible. Your meetings and calls will never look the same!
What is Teams Phone?
So, what exactly is this communication solution from Microsoft?? At its core, it’s a combination of two components: a software application and hardware devices that work harmoniously together.
Regarding the software, it refers to the functionality within Microsoft Teams that allows users to make calls over the Internet.
You can utilize Teams Phone to interact on different devices, from desktop computers and laptops to smartphones and tablets. Using a cloud-based call control system and leveraging Microsoft Azure to support its infrastructure, Teams Phone allows people to call any phone number on the public switched telephone network (PSTN.)
Microsoft Teams Phone encompasses physical devices with built-in features that enable direct access to the functionality of the Microsoft Teams app. These devices seamlessly integrate with your entire Microsoft Teams environment. Though they might resemble your typical office phone, these devices exist in a completely different league than you’re used to.
How does Microsoft Teams Phone differ from traditional office phones?
While traditional office phones typically serve one purpose, to make and receive calls, Microsoft Teams Phone devices offer interactive displays that allow you to take advantage of the entire Microsoft 365 suite. As a result, you can enjoy a more comprehensive range of communication possibilities, like video, chatting, and other collaboration methods.
Also, your regular desk phone can’t connect to the Internet. Not only does this comprehensive communication solution from Microsoft allow you to call people who use landlines, but it also uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable online calls, offering you the best of both worlds.
While your traditional telephone’s functionality relies more on hardware, Microsoft Teams Phone is all about the software, which makes the system more portable since it’s not just tied to the device at your desk.
Overall, this can boost your employee productivity, but IT administrators can also save time on their work since they can manage your phone systems settings from one central location. Upkeep and maintenance become a whole lot easier!
What are the features of Microsoft Teams Phone?
The extensive range of features you can access with Microsoft Teams Phone can make your communication more flexible and customizable.
At its most basic level, the service allows users to place and receive calls with one individual or a group. You can call directly from a chat with a specific user or call a phone number using the app’s dial pad feature.
You can merge calls to bring a colleague into the conversation if someone else can answer a client’s question better. In addition, you can do a “transfer and ring back” so the call will reroute to you if they don’t respond.
You can also transfer calls between devices while chatting, so you’re covered if you don’t want to pause your conversation but need to leave your desk. For Apple users, you can even go on a drive mid-meeting by using Apple Carplay.
Microsoft Teams Phone has also upgraded your voicemail experience, letting users access their messages with a voice recording or written transcript. What’s even more fascinating, you can also transcribe and record your calls, so you don’t have to stress out about taking notes when you’re deep in conversation.
There are even more advanced features, such as the auto attendant to be your menu system, call queues to route people to the right person at your organization, or the direct routing capabilities that allow users to connect external phone lines to the Teams platform.
What are the benefits of Microsoft Teams Phone?
This all-in-one tool from Microsoft allows businesses to merge calling, chatting, and meetings into a single platform. By adopting this solution, businesses can utilize devices connected to Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This integration allows users to access documents and other crucial materials during calls on a single device.
Benefits of using Microsoft Teams Phone:
- Streamlined Communication: Combines calling, chatting, and meetings in one application, saving time and improving efficiency.
- Integration with Microsoft 365: Enables seamless access to documents and meeting materials from Microsoft 365 applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint during calls.
- Access to Analytics: Provides detailed analytics on Teams Phone usage, allowing businesses to make data-driven decisions for optimizing performance and productivity.
- Flexible Work Models: Supports various work models, including remote, in-office, and hybrid, empowering employees to work efficiently regardless of location.
- Secure Professional Phone Line: Allows employees to make and receive calls with a secure professional phone line from anywhere, eliminating the need to forward calls to personal cell phones.
We Can Help You Optimize Your Software Use For Better Productivity
You might be excited about integrating Microsoft Teams Phone into your work but need to be more confident about the process involved in making it happen. You don’t have to worry about navigating the intricacies of deploying new technology when you work with PC Corp, where we specialize in IT procurement and implementation.
Our Procurement specialists can help you build a strong IT infrastructure while sourcing the most effective personal systems, software, and licenses. Together, we’ll develop a tech environment that allows you to focus on your core business activities with the proper support.
Connect with us to adopt this modern office phone solution for your business today.