Microsoft Teams has been instrumental in the way we have communicated with others over the last 2 years, with businesses across the UK utilising the platform to stay in contact with customers, colleagues and suppliers. The popularity of Microsoft Teams has increased, and as more people move towards home and remote working environments, empowering your team to work effectively, no matter where they are located, has never been more important.

There has now been a fantastic new development in how Microsoft Teams can be utilised as a fully-functional telephone system for your business. In this blog post, we will be looking at how using Microsoft Teams as your business phone system can benefit your business with various functions and updates perfect for your business requirements.

Preparing your business for the PSTN switch off

It�s never been more important to prepare your business for the inevitable copper network switch off come 2025. The end of the PSTN affects all businesses large and small, and the Teams phone system could be the perfect solution for businesses with a reduced number of staff who are already using the software. If your business already uses Microsoft Teams for internal communication, the integrated phone system can provide you and your staff with a quick and simple solution to making and receiving inbound and outbound calls to your business.

Use Microsoft Teams as your main business phone system

The Calls with Teams function allows users to now make and receive external calls from anywhere, using any device with access to your Directory, Speed Dial, Call History, Voicemails and Call Recordings. All of the common features found in a regular PBX system are readily available through Teams and accessed via a Telecoms World online Number Manager portal.

The Number Manager portal features includes Intelligent Call Routing, allowing you to route calls to a specific time of day for individual members of staff or groups of staff, Call Recording and Business Number Presentation. It also allows you to setup Hunt Groups, Call Queues and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) for enhance call management.

How can I dial out using Microsoft Teams?

Within the calls tab of Microsoft Teams, a keypad will appear once the Call with Teams feature has been enabled. This allows you to type in a telephone number or create a contacts list for quick dialling. The Caller ID feature also provides quick access to change the presented number, enabling staff to make outbound calls from the main business 08 or 03 number whilst masking their direct dial 01 or 02 number. This channels incoming calls to a centralised monitored number and prevents customers from calling individuals rather than a department or group of workers.

Where does Telecoms World come in?

At Telecoms World, we provide a phone line solution using your MS Teams application allowing your users to have an integrated phone system in just 3 simple steps! Utilising the Microsoft Teams Phone System, agents can use Teams as an endpoint solution to make and receive inbound and outbound business calls. Our number management services provide complete control of call flows, call recording, number presentation, call analytics, audio messages and voicemail from a single, easy-to-use application.

Collaborate in one place with licence types to suit everyone

Whether you�re using Teams for chat, calls or video, anyone can engage at any time, bringing colleagues and clients closer. Your documents, photos, videos, chat history and meeting notes are always there, making it easier to work together from any location. Microsoft have created a simple licence model to suit users in the workplace, home and school. From Standard licence through to the fully loaded E7 licence, the 365 suite is designed to help you work with little fuss.

Can I use my existing number to make and receive calls with Teams?

Our expert team relocate 1000�s of numbers every month and can do the same for you when bringing your existing business number into Microsoft Teams. We handle your numbers with care and port them into the core of our Tier-1 network for cloud application use including Microsoft Teams. Our 30 day porting process is fuss free and managed entirely within the UK.

Which upgrades are needed to enable the Calls with Teams feature?

Firstly, your Microsoft licence must be at a level to include the Teams application. If it is, the Teams Phone System application will need to be installed. Our team of UK-based Microsoft specialists are on hand to help you create or upgrade your Microsoft 365 account to enable you to make and receive business calls with Teams through our award-winning Tier-1 network. Call our friendly team of Microsoft specialists on freephone 0800 774 7772 for more information.