With Microsoft Teams, you have the ability to directly route phone calls through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by utilizing a technology called direct routing. Microsoft Teams direct routing allows you to connect your Voice over IP (VoIP) provider directly to Microsoft Teams, giving you more control and flexibility over your calling capabilities.
In this article, we’ll give you a brief overview of Microsoft Teams call routing and how it can benefit your business.
Introduction to Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
As we mentioned before, Microsoft direct routing allows you to connect Microsoft Teams PBX to a third party VoIP provider such as Intratel. This gives you more control over your calling capabilities, as you’re not limited to the calling plans that are available through Microsoft.
Keep in mind that Microsoft is not a telephone company. By going directly to the source with a company like Intratel, you will enjoy a fully Canadian voice provider that provides high-quality calls and business-level support.
How Does Direct Routing Work?
With Microsoft Teams direct routing, calls are routed from your Teams apps to the Microsoft PSTN gateway, then to the Direct Routing VoIP provider, then to the Microsoft PSTN gateway. From there, the call is routed to its destination through the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Benefits of Utilizing Direct Routing
There are many reasons why you should start using direct routing for your business’ communication needs.
One of the most significant advantages is that it increases your company’s mobility. Because Microsoft Teams direct routing allows you to work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
Here are several other benefits that come with utilizing direct routing for your business phone calls:
- Increased Flexibility: As we mentioned before, one of the key benefits of direct routing is increased flexibility when it comes to your calling capabilities. With direct routing, you’re not limited to the Calling Plans that are offered by Microsoft—you can choose any Teams Direct Routingtrunk provider that meets your needs.
- Cost Savings: Another benefit of using direct routing is cost savings. In many cases, it can be less expensive to use a SIP trunk provider than it is to purchase a Microsoft Teams plan for direct routing.
- Improved Call Quality: Because calls made with direct routing are routed through your chosen SIP trunk provider before they reach the public switched telephone network (PSTN), you can often enjoy improved call quality.
Why do Teams use Direct Routing? Increased Efficiency and Collaboration
Working with Intratel, you can connect to Microsoft Teams’s PSTN. This will help you to streamline processes and increase efficiency. For example, let’s say you have someone in sales who needs to transfer a call to customer service. With direct routing, they can do that without having to leave the Teams interface or even put the caller on hold. They can simply drag and drop the call into the relevant channel where customer service is available.
What do I Need for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
To set up Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, you need to connect to a supported Session Border Controller (SBC). An SBC connects your Teams infrastructure to Microsoft Phone System.
If you don’t have an SBC, you can use Intratel Communications. If you go with Intratel, you do not need a Microsoft Teams calling plan. Once you’re with Intratel, we can help you set up and configure for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing.
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing allows you to connect to Microsoft Phone System in Office 365, so you will need to have a Microsoft 365 organization that you use to host your Microsoft Teams users, and the configuration and connection to our SBC.
You will also need one or more telephony trunks. These trunks connect to the SBC. The SBC connects to your Phone System through Direct Routing on one end. The SBC can also connect to third-party telephony entities, like:
- PBXs and
- Analog Telephony Adapters
Any PSTN connectivity option connected to the SBC works. This connection enables you to use Microsoft Calling Plans or Microsoft Phone System features with your existing devices and phone numbers.
We can Help You with Your Microsoft Teams Direct Routing needs
Now that we’ve gone over what Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is and how it works, let’s review some of the key benefits: increased flexibility, cost savings, and improved call quality. If you’re looking for more control over your calling capabilities or want to take advantage of cost savings, then direct routing may be the right solution for you.
Intratel Communications is a leading provider of Microsoft Teams direct routing solutions. We offer a variety of different plans to suit the needs of businesses of all sizes.
We also provide support, so you can always get the help you need. Contact us today to learn more about our Microsoft Teams direct routing solutions. Get A Quote Today!