June 14, 2022
Microsoft Teams and Direct Routing for voice PBX
Direct Routing with Microsoft Teams enables businesses to make and receive calls using their choice of third-party telecoms provider. With integrated voice private branch exchange (PBX) functionality, Direct Routing is ideal for enterprises already using Microsoft Teams. This technology gives companies the freedom and flexibility to choose their own telephony service provider, seamlessly integrating their telephony with the Microsoft Teams platform.
SEACOM Business provides a full suite of Microsoft 365 solutions, as well as cloud-based voice PBX, to South African enterprises. Direct Routing with Microsoft Teams is included with these communications services.
Our extensive infrastructure supports high-quality voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calling, providing enterprises with a reliable, affordable and scalable telephony system. Direct routing means that employees can make and receive calls both locally and internationally, directly through the Teams software on their laptops and mobile devices.
Direct Routing for voice PBX
In the past, traditional business phone systems based on PBX required a lot of physical hardware and in-house servers. With the development of cloud technologies, PBX systems are now hosted virtually.
Choosing from a range of certified partners, enterprises with Microsoft Teams can select their own telecom provider for VoIP calling. Microsoft Teams does have its own calling plans, but these are not suitable for all businesses. The calling plans provided by Microsoft do not cover all geographical regions, so Direct Routing is preferable for large multinationals and for those that make a lot of international phone calls.
Enterprises can formulate a communication strategy that is aligned with corporate objectives, optimising their IT budgets with a scalable and agile telephony solution. Voice PBX with SEACOM Business is ideal for enterprises with limited in-house IT departments or companies that prefer to focus their in-house teams on high level operations.
Benefits of Direct Routing on Teams
Microsoft Teams has become the platform of choice for large enterprises. It supports remote working and offers excellent compatibility with third-party apps and providers. Microsoft Teams hosts cloud-based voice PBX so that users can enjoy a unified communications system from any device in any location.
SEACOM Business facilitates Direct Routing for voice PBX on Microsoft Teams. We offer flexible payment models that are scalable. This means that enterprises only pay for what they need, adding or removing users and devices as needed. As a cloud-based solution, Direct Routing with Teams is easy to deploy, monitor and manage. At SEACOM Business, we offer enterprise-grade security and performance with our extensive IT infrastructure and security solutions that seamlessly integrate with the Microsoft Teams.
Direct Routing with SEACOM Business
As a Microsoft 365 provider, SEACOM Business implements Direct Routing for voice PBX, ensuring that voice routing is properly configured and licences are correctly assigned. Businesses can choose a phased migration from their legacy PBX, migrating individuals or groups of users.
Our team ensures that businesses experience a seamless transition using automation for faster and more effective migration. Enterprises can leverage data analytics to monitor call quality and usage, ensuring that their telephony system is working optimally at all times.
Requirements for Direct Routing on Microsoft Teams
With the support of SEACOM Business, enterprises choose an approved Direct Routing carrier. Companies should ensure they have the correct enterprise-grade Microsoft licence too. Direct Routing on Teams is ideal for large enterprises with 500+ employees or web-enabled devices. Enterprises of this size quality for a Microsoft 365 Licence (E1, E2, or E5 licence).
For Direct Routing, enterprises also need a Microsoft Audio Conferencing licence. This is included with the E5 licence or available as an add-on for other enterprise-grade Microsoft 365 licences.
Direct Routing works through session border controller (SBC) technology. This is similar to a gateway router in the sense that it connects the internal network to the internet. The SBC system acts as an interface between Microsoft Teams and the phone system.
Unified Communications with flexible telephony
Unified communications as a service (UCaaS) has developed rapidly over the last few years with increasing demand for cloud-based software that supports the six primary communication functions: mobility, enterprise telephony, virtual meetings, unified messaging, instant messaging (to teams and individuals), and communications-enabled business processes.
Microsoft Teams is a digital environment that enables streamlined communication and knowledge sharing. Integrating with other Microsoft applications, employees enjoy real-time annotation of shared documents, which are automatically backed-up to the cloud. Access and identity management happens through a centralised console, helping businesses keep track of users, data and projects.
This communication infrastructure offers businesses an updated approach to collaboration and resource management. Microsoft is a leading UCaaS provider, highly compatible with third-party telecom providers through Direct Routing. This means that businesses can enjoy the benefits of Teams but also have the flexibility to choose their own telephony services.
SEACOM’s Direct Routing with Microsoft Teams
Direct Routing with Microsoft Teams means that enterprises can choose a phone system and calling plan that works for them. With the support of SEACOM Business, enterprises can design their own communications strategy, leveraging the power of our extensive IT network and high performance infrastructure.
With Direct Routing, businesses can enjoy cheaper call rates and improved flexibility. Integrated functionality means that Teams is not just for internal communication - it can also be used by workers on the move, using their own phones or laptops to access the mobile workplace. For more information or to get a quote for our voice PBX or Microsoft 365 solutions, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.
SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.
SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.
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