Optimize Calling with Microsoft Teams
For some businesses, transitioning away from traditional “landline” business phone systems to Voice Over IP (VOIP) systems can be a challenging endeavor. Microsoft Teams Calling, a feature of Microsoft Teams, enables businesses of any size to make that transition easier.
Most enterprise staff, particularly those who are accustomed to the features and functionality of traditional telecommunications. However, with the recent technological advances and the movement to a remote or hybrid working environment, it is essential for businesses to find a cloud-based solution that allows them to communicate in real-time anywhere in the world.
The following tips and benefits of calling in Microsoft Teams will enable businesses to improve their business communications and foster more positive business outcomes across the board.
Understanding Microsoft Teams Calling
Microsoft Teams, an integrated feature of Microsoft 365, allows teams across the enterprise (and externally, when enabled) to collaborate from any location with a stable internet connection. This robust Microsoft solution combines instant messaging, video conferencing, and voice chat (i.e., phone calls) under one platform.
Microsoft Teams Calling for Business
The Microsoft Teams Calling team members are available to support basic phone system features like initiating and answering calls, as well as call holding, call retrieving, call forwarding, and simultaneous ringing. Features also include emergency calling and voicemail.
Consider the following when exploring Microsoft Teams Calling for your business:
A Phone System license is required to enable users to send, receive, and transfer calls to and from mobile phones and landlines on a traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
You can always choose Microsoft Teams Calling plans to offer the PSTN services and phone numbers.
You can also use the same plans for direct routing with their chosen telephone carrier.
Setting Up Call-Forwarding
Microsoft Teams Calling is an ideal tool for business communications because it allows users to forward calls to other team members and numbers, as well as make calls to your work number and another number at the same time.
To enable the call-forwarding feature in Microsoft Teams:
Navigate to the Microsoft Teams Calling settings by clicking on the profile picture on the top right-hand side of your Teams window. Click “settings.”
Navigate to the “calls” section.
Under the “Call answering rules” category, select “forward my calls.”
Select the telephone number that you want the calls forwarded to.
At this point, you have the option to send calls to voicemail directly or to call a different team member or group.
Managing Delegates is Easy
With Microsoft Teams Calling, businesses have the opportunity to set up delegates to answer or make calls on users’ behalf when they are unavailable.
Navigate to the Microsoft Teams Calling settings and click the “general” tab. Choose the “manage delegates” option.
From there, add to the delegate list by selecting names from within existing teams or type in the specific user name.
Select which permissions you would like to allow the delegate to perform on your behalf. Click the “add” option.
To help ensure that all calls are forwarded to the appropriate delegate, assign your call forwarding options directly in the “call” tab.
Customize Ringtones
Customized ringtones can help you to identify specific callers, groups, and delegates. Perhaps you are receiving forwarded calls or are acting as a delegate for another user. Different ringtones can allow you to easily differentiate callers and prioritize your call-backs. Custom ringtones can also let you know who is calling at any given time without the need to constantly be disrupted by audible or on-screen notifications.
To customize ringtones in Microsoft Teams Calling:
Navigate to the Microsoft Teams Calling settings and click the “call” tab.
Locate the “ringtone” section.
Choose from a variety of ringtones to manage direct, forwarded, and delegated calls received through Microsoft Teams Calling.
Call Forwarding for Group Calls
Microsoft Teams Calling allows users to set up call forwarding to direct the call to a group instead of an individual user. This is an ideal option for larger team meetings or those meetings where numerous members of a business area are unavailable at the same time. Microsoft Teams Calling allows for a maximum of 25 people to be added to a caller group. To enable this function, users must be from within your organization.
To select call forwarding for group calls in Microsoft Teams Calling:
Navigate to the Microsoft Teams Calling settings and click the “call” tab.
From there, select “forward my call” and then “call group.”
Select which users you would like to add to the call group.
Once all users are added to the call group, you can choose whether you want calls to ring everyone simultaneously or at a specific interval.
Any users added to the call group will receive a notification when calls come in.
Microsoft Teams Calling offers a wide variety of features to help your business communicate optimally. From call forwarding and delegates, to group calling and dedicated ringtones, Unity Connected Solutions can help businesses benefit from innovative technical solutions like Microsoft Teams for Business.
Also Read: How To Calculate Your SIP Trunk Requirements
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Teams
