One of the glaring flaws in most video conferencing solutions is the ability to make phone calls within the app. However, that is all about to change.
Over the past years, ‘Microsoft Teams’ has been many businesses' internal messaging, meeting, and collaboration conferencing solutions. As time went on, businesses discovered the tremendous benefits of Microsoft Teams in enhancing productivity.
In recent months, the use of Microsoft Teams has grown rapidly, with daily active users rising by 70% to 75 million. Though it has a wide range of features, users' next question is if making calls via teams will ever be a reality.
The answer to that question is "yes". Microsoft Teams has added a new feature known as the Teams Phone. Using Teams Direct Routing, you can make phone calls via your phone system from within Teams. You can also receive external calls through the platform.
In Teams, calls are a simple way to connect. Making one-on-one calls is an essential part of getting work done. In the Teams app, calls can be made privately or with a group of people. They can be started immediately in a chat or scheduled in advance, like a meeting.
Therefore, with the many forms of business telephony solutions available, making calls via teams is now a reality. This feature is available in over 33 countries, with Australia joining the list.
Are you new to Microsoft Teams? Would you love to use the Teams app to make video and voice calls to people within or outside your organisation? In that case, you are in the right place.
What does phone calling via teams mean?
Phone calling via Teams is a phone system built into the Microsoft Teams app. This call function can be carried out over direct routing. The phone call feature in Teams allows you to port your business phone numbers into the Teams applications and make and receive calls from the app.
Teams phone call feature offers call queues, call history, hunt groups, voicemail, video calls, and meetings. You will be able to enjoy a professional call experience while working remotely or at the office.
How to use Teams to make external phone calls
Wherever you are in Teams, you can start a call with someone (or a group of people). Here are some of the ways:
Using the dial pad
Just as a regular phone has a dial pad in its phone call section, Teams also has the same feature and can be used as a regular phone.
- Use the dial pad on the left to enter the contact number of the person you wish to call after selecting calls from the Teams menu.
- If you don't know the person's number, enter the person's name on the dial pad. Also, you can enter numerous names or numbers to make group calls.
- You can also call a contact by selecting the phone icon next to their name in your contact list. Click the "Add Contact" button to look them up by name, email, or phone number if you don't find the person you want to call there.
There you have it. Phone calling via Teams is really straightforward.
Using the command bar to make a call
Type a forward slash, which informs Teams you're giving it a command. To enter the command, type "Call" and press the "Enter" button. The name, number, or email address of the person you want to call will be requested. As soon as you click on the contact, the call is placed.
You can make a call from anywhere on Teams
You can make calls anywhere to communicate with your contacts using the contact card. Also, these contact cards can be used everywhere in Teams to strike up any conversation.
How beneficial is the Microsoft Teams phone call feature?
It makes calling and receiving calls easy
This functionality is fantastic for businesses wishing to simplify their internal and external communications infrastructure. However, it goes further than that. It makes it easy for staff to handle phone calls from their electronic devices from wherever they might be located.
Recognising spam calls
Spam calls interrupt workflow and can make users less likely to answer a call. The spam recognition feature in the Microsoft Teams app uses "cutting-edge industry" approaches to identify potential spam calls, allowing users to accept legitimate calls and reject spam calls.
Easily switch between devices when making calls
Sometimes, the need to transfer a call from your workstation to a mobile device or vice versa can arise. As a result, the Teams app allows users to switch between several endpoints without breaking the call.
Teams phone calling plans
Did you know you can route your calls through Microsoft's network? With the help of Teams calling plans, businesses can easily communicate with one another both domestically and abroad.
Better call management
Making phone calls via Teams allows you to manage call queues. You can use it to set up greetings, create parameters for routing calls and set up transfers. Additionally, employees can use the call forward feature to divert calls from their desk phones and mobile devices, which is useful for office and remote workers.
Answer phones from anywhere on multiple devices
Employees can place and receive calls through their business line from anywhere they are working, which will increase how responsive your business is to consumers.
Using Teams means you aren't restricted to video calls in one app but also voice calls.
Get help setting up an MS Teams phone system from Netcare
Netcare has partnered with Next Telecom to provide this seamless solution. We will provide the Microsoft subscriptions, help you set up your IVR, Call Queues, Hunt Group, Auto Attendant, etc. as well as physical handsets if required.
For more information, or call (02) 9114 9920.