Why Microsoft Teams Phone is a Game-Changer for SMBs

The right Telephony and communication platform is crucial for your organisation to communicate and collaborate effectively with customers and internally.

With a multitude of options available, finding the right Telephony solution can be challenging for small and medium-sized businesses, especially when trying to find the best platform at a cost-effective price.

Microsoft Teams Phone offers a modern, cloud-based solution that integrates directly with Microsoft 365 and eliminates the need for outdated traditional PBX systems, making it an ideal solution for SMBs. Although there are numerous benefits of switching to Teams Phone, some SMBs are reluctant to migrate due to the perceived complexity of the migration and potential setup challenges. This is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can help SMBs make the transition smooth, cost-effective, and stress-free.

Let’s explore the top 5 benefits of switching to Microsoft Teams Phone and how partnering with an MSP can make it a straightforward process.

1. Simple and Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365

Teams Phone has a simple setup and integrates into your existing Microsoft environment, meaning there's no requirement for additional hosting or hardware, making it a simple process compared to traditional phone systems. Most organisations are already using Microsoft 365, which is integrated into their platforms and processes, and their employees are familiar with its functionality. This enables Teams Phone to be an integrated platform, delivering a true unified communication experience, including:

• Outlook: Calendar-based calling and scheduling.
• SharePoint & OneDrive: File sharing during calls.
• Teams Chat & Meetings: A true all-in-one solution.

How can a Managed Service Provider help? By managing the entire setup, they can ensure rapid deployment and that all your Microsoft 365 apps work seamlessly with your Teams Phone. With everything working together, there are fewer issues and technical headaches.

2. Cost Savings and Predictable Pricing

Traditional phone systems are expensive and come with high operating costs, including:

• Expensive hardware and PBX systems.
• The requirement for on-premises maintenance and support.
• Investment in separate phone and collaboration tools.

With Teams Phone, SMBs can benefit from the following cost savings:

• No requirement for upfront hardware costs; any additional accessories such as headsets or phones are optional.
• A simple per-user pricing model with no surprise fees.
• No hardware means reduced IT maintenance costs.

How can a Managed Service Provider help? They provide a fixed-cost service, ensuring predictable pricing and eliminating the need for in-house IT expertise.

3. Flexibility and Remote Work Enablement

With remote and hybrid work becoming the norm for many businesses, Teams Phone makes it easy for employees to make and receive business calls from anywhere, on any device. Employees can:

• Choose whether to use a desktop, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet.
• Keep their own business numbers.
• Stay connected with Wi-Fi or mobile data.

How can a Managed Service Provider help? They can set up and configure everything, including mobile access, direct and call routing, while ensuring everything is secure.

4. Enterprise-Level Features Without the Complexity

Microsoft Teams Phone is more than just a calling tool; it comes with powerful built-in features, such as:

• Auto-Attendant: Set up menus that enable your customers to speak to the right department quickly.
• Call Queues: Manage your incoming calls efficiently.
• Voicemail Transcription: Receive voicemail as text to any device.
• Call Analytics and Reporting: Monitor your call stats and improve your customer service or sales output.

How can a Managed Service Provider help? They can customise all these features to match your organisation’s needs and ensure that your Teams Phone works exactly as required.

5. Security, Reliability, and Compliance

With cyber security being a top concern for SMBs, you will want to be confident that the platform you are using is secure. Teams Phone is backed by Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security, which includes:

• End-to-end encryption for calls and chats.
• 99.9% uptime with Microsoft cloud reliability.
• Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and industry regulations.

How can a Managed Service Provider help? They will monitor your security, manage compliance, and provide 24/7 support, ensuring that your phone system and integrated platforms are protected.

Why Work with a Managed Service Provider?

• Rapid Deployment: An MSP will provide you with a fast, hassle-free deployment. By managing the migration and setup from your old phone system, they can ensure no technical issues or downtime.
• Customised Call Flow & Features: An MSP can tailor the setup of your Teams Phone to fit your business requirements and processes, meaning your team benefits from the advanced functionality included.
• Ongoing Support & Maintenance: With an MSP providing support, you will have no need for in-house expertise, and any issues will be addressed and fixed quickly.

Summary

Moving to Microsoft Teams Phone provides a great opportunity for SMBs to gain a modern telephony solution at a cost-effective price. There are many benefits, including cost savings, flexibility, advanced features, and enterprise-level security. To truly maximise these benefits, SMBs should partner with a Managed Service Provider such as Technical Drive.

Thinking about Making the Switch?

We have extensive experience in helping businesses migrate to the cloud and implement cloud telephony. As a Microsoft Gold Partner and Cloud Solution Provider, you can trust our team of experts to implement your Microsoft Teams Phone effectively and securely. Our teams are trained to the highest level, ensuring a smooth transition.

Let’s discuss how we can help! Contact us today for a free consultation!

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