Posted on August 14, 2023 by Fusion Connect
Microsoft Teams has emerged as a leading collaboration platform, empowering teams to work together effortlessly. To take their communication capabilities to the next level, organizations are increasingly embracing Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams.
This powerful solution enables seamless integration with external telephony services, offering a host of benefits that enhance productivity and streamline communication workflows.
In this blog, we will explore the advantages of migrating to Direct Routing and how it can revolutionize your organization’s communication experience.
By connecting directly to a Session Border Controller (SBC), external phone calls can be routed through Microsoft Teams, giving users a unified communication experience.
This means you can leverage the full potential of Teams while continuing to use your preferred telephony service provider.
The Migration Process to Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams
Assess Your Communication Needs
Before embarking on the migration journey, conduct a thorough assessment of your organization’s communication requirements. For instance, Operator Connect may be a better solution for your business. Operator Connect is preconfigured and a portal can be used to make changes in real-time.
With Direct Routing, a provider like Fusion Connect does the heavy lifting, but the process takes longer. Understand the number of users, their locations, existing telephony services, and future growth plans. This analysis will help you tailor the migration process to meet your specific needs.
Choose the Right SBC and Telephony Service Provider
Selecting the appropriate Session Border Controller and telephony service provider is critical to a successful migration. Evaluate different SBC options and ensure compatibility with Microsoft Teams. Likewise, choose a telephony service provider that aligns with your organization's budget, features, and quality of service expectations.
Set Up Direct Routing Configuration
Work with your chosen SBC provider to configure Direct Routing settings in Microsoft Teams. This involves establishing connections, routing plans, and call policies to ensure a smooth transition. Test the configurations thoroughly before making the switch.
Prepare Your Team and Users
Communicate the upcoming migration to your team and users to ensure a smooth transition. Provide training and support resources to familiarize them with the new features and functionalities available through Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams.
Benefits of Migrating to Direct Routing
Unified Communication Experience
By migrating to Direct Routing, your organization can consolidate all communication channels into Microsoft Teams. This unified experience fosters seamless collaboration, enabling users to make and receive external calls alongside chat, video conferencing, and file sharing without switching between different applications.
Cost-Effectiveness
Direct Routing offers significant cost advantages compared to Microsoft Calling Plans. It allows businesses to leverage their existing telephony infrastructure and choose a telephony service provider that best suits their budget and communications needs. This flexibility ensures cost optimization without compromising on quality.
Secure and Compliant Communication
Security is paramount in modern communication. Direct Routing, integrated with an SBC, ensures that voice traffic is encrypted and protected, providing a secure environment for your organization’s sensitive conversations. It also facilitates compliance with industry regulations and data protection standards.
Preserving Existing Phone Numbers
Migrating to Direct Routing allows your organization to retain existing phone numbers. This continuity ensures a smooth transition for both internal teams and external stakeholders, preventing any disruptions in communication.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your organization grows, Direct Routing offers the scalability needed to accommodate additional users and communication requirements. It provides the flexibility to add new features, adapt to changing business needs, and expand telephony services as needed.
Why Migrate to Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams?
Migrating to Direct Routing in Microsoft Teams is a strategic step towards revolutionizing your organization’s communication experience. By seamlessly integrating external telephony services, businesses can enhance collaboration, reduce costs, and create a secure and compliant communication environment. Preserving existing phone numbers, scalability, and a unified communication experience further adds value to this transformative journey.
Embrace Direct Routing to unlock the full potential of Microsoft Teams and empower your teams with seamless and efficient communication capabilities.
References:
Microsoft Learn: Migrate to Direct Routing
Microsoft Learn: Connect your Session Border Controller (SBC) to Direct Routing
Microsoft Teams Calling Services
Make calls to mobile devices and landlines through Microsoft Teams with Operator Connect.
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