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Teams Phone Tips and Features: Intro to Teams Phone-Tech Tip for July 30, 2024

This month’s Tech Tips will introduce you to Teams Phone, a powerful and convenient way to make and receive calls within Microsoft Teams. Teams Phone, previously known as Teams Voice, is an enterprise phone solution that is accessible from within the Microsoft Teams platform, offering a complete communications system. In this Tech Tip, we’ll begin by explaining what it is, some of the best features and benefits of Teams Phone, and why this type of solution may be right for you!

What is Microsoft Teams Phone

Microsoft Teams Phone is an add-on service to Microsoft Teams that can enable users to make, receive, and manage calls directly from within the Teams app with features like voicemail, call forwarding, and call transfer. Microsoft Teams Phone is a cloud-based reliable and secure communications system that combines chat, video meetings, and file collaboration, within Teams, along with traditional telephony functions.

screenshot of Microsoft Teams Phone on desktop

Features of Microsoft Teams Phone

Key Features of Microsoft Teams Phone:

  • Cloud-based Calling: Offers a flexible, cloud-hosted system that allows users to make and receive calls from anywhere, on any device.
  • Direct Routing: Enables organizations to connect existing telephony infrastructure to Teams Phone for a hybrid approach.
  • Auto-Attendant and Call Queues: Automated answering and call handling to efficiently manage incoming calls and direct them to the right person or department.
  • Advanced Call Management: Features like call park, call forwarding, call transfer, and caller ID support streamlined call handling.

More Benefits of Teams Phone:

  • Hardware not Required: Assigning traditional desk phones or costly mobile devices are replaced by installing the Microsoft Teams app on your existing devices. Although hardware is not required, you can purchase additional equipment to augment and update your legacy devices and services.
  • Dial Pad Access: the Microsoft Teams app has a familiar ‘dial pad’ user experience and function. The app also includes a ‘People’ section with work and device contacts listed.
  • Get Started with VoIP: Microsoft Teams Phone works using VoIP (Voice Over IP) or PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) protocols. 
  • Keep Existing Numbers: Keep your original business phone numbers, extensions, auto attendants, and hunt groups with the Microsoft Teams Phone system (with some exceptions).
  • Seamless Communication: Whether it’s keeping up with work chats or channels, uploading or working on files (Microsoft 365 app integration), or setting up meetings while utilizing Teams Phone services, you can do it all without leaving the Microsoft Teams app!
  • Cost Effective and Easy to Manage: Microsoft Teams Phone can eliminate the need for physical phone lines and has a minimal starting cost. Teams Phone allows for remote access and configuration from anywhere and requires less specialized skills compared to legacy systems.

Make the Change to Teams Phone

If you want to update your communication infrastructure with a low-cost, flexible solution that works with the tools your employees already use, you may want to consider Teams Phone. It works well with Microsoft 365 products to boost efficiency, it is simpler to manage than most legacy systems, and it has advanced features that enable teams to collaborate well, even from afar.

Be sure to follow along with us in our Tech Tip series for more technology tips.

Reach Out to TechWise Group

Interested in learning more about Teams Phone? Reach out to TechWise Group. We’ll help you make the most of your Microsoft tools.

Important Microsoft Announcements:

  • If you have not already moved to NCE licensing for your organization or if you have any questions about upcoming renewals, please contact us at gettechwise@techwisegroup.com to understand your options.
  • MFA is the best way to prevent cyberthreats. If you have not enabled MFA in your organization, let us help you put a plan in place.
  • Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 Extended Support ended on October 10, 2023. If your organization is still running these operating systems, please contact us to discuss your options.
  • Microsoft expands Copilot licensing for small-to-medium businesses (January 15, 2024). Reach out to TechWise Group to discuss your options.
  • April 1, 2024, Microsoft announced global changes to Teams licensing. Please reach out to TechWise Group with any questions.
  • Classic Teams client reaches end of availability. Microsoft extends time to July 01, 2024, for Admins to address any related issues.
  • July 9, 2024, marks the end of support (EOS), for SQL Server 2014. Please reach out to TechWise Group to explore your options.
  • Windows 10 reaches the end of support on October 14, 2025. Please contact us to discuss your options.