Microsoft Teams has become a heavyweight in business communications, and many providers are feeling its pull. For a long time, telecom and IT lived in separate worlds, each moving at its own speed with its own way of thinking. Over the past few years, though, voice and IT have come together, and that overlap has shown how much stronger the two are when they cooperate.
Even so, some providers push back against the change or tackle it the wrong way, adding needless friction to their product plans. Fortunately, keeping up doesn't need to be hard or expensive. Integrating with Microsoft Teams lets you build on infrastructure that already exists and set yourself up as an industry leader.
The Case for Teams Integration
Connecting to Microsoft Teams broadens what you can offer, adds value for your customers and puts you in front of an enormous base of users. So where does it fit in your plans, and why should it move to the top of the list?
Tap Into What Microsoft Has Built
Building every piece yourself at scale is tough, even for the giants of tech. Microsoft is no exception: it leans on outside providers, companies like yours, to supply telephony for Teams.
So instead of treating Microsoft as a rival, see the opening it creates. Microsoft relies on voice providers around the globe to bring calling into its unified communications (UC) platform. Plugging into Teams gets you access to a huge market while you deliver solutions people value.
What Integration Does for You
Lower Development Time and Cost
Because Microsoft supplies the infrastructure, you can connect your services without pouring money into development. That means a simpler build and a quicker path to market.
A Stronger Brand
Working alongside Microsoft boosts your credibility. You benefit from its well-known reputation and still keep your own identity in the market.
A Smooth Customer Experience
Your customers keep using the software, hardware and processes they already have, with no disruption. The switch is easy, and there's little pushback when new communication tools arrive.
No Deep Expertise Needed
Pair up with the right integration partner and you won't need extensive industry know-how to connect to Microsoft Teams. Taking advantage of its expanding market share has never been easier.
Integration Is Easier Than It Used to Be
Not long ago, hooking into Microsoft Teams Phone was complicated and expensive. The first Direct Routing deployments took a lot of money and upkeep, calling plans were restrictive, and the Operator Connect marketplace had barely gotten started. The Teams Phone ecosystem has come a long way since then.
Today Teams Phone carries a 99.999% uptime SLA and supports more than 23 million voice-enabled users, close to half of them through third-party providers. Since it's among the leading business communication platforms worldwide, integrating with Teams Phone has never been simpler or more rewarding. Want the details? See our guide to Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams.
Embrace Teams and Grow
Success with Microsoft Teams starts with a change in attitude. Teams isn't a threat to be wary of; it's a strong tool that can round out what you offer and help you keep up with what customers want.
Some providers hold back because of Microsoft's size and the industry's habit of doing things the old way. Those who lean into Teams integration, however, are setting themselves up to succeed for years to come. Best of all, the heavy lifting is already done, so all that's left is to seize the opportunity.
The time to act is now. Work with RBI Cloud Connect and open up new possibilities through Microsoft Teams integration. Book a demo to find out more.
Frequently asked questions
Is integrating with Microsoft Teams expensive?
Not anymore. Microsoft provides the infrastructure, so you can connect your services without major development spending, unlike early Direct Routing setups that needed significant investment.
Will customers have to change how they work?
No. Customers keep their existing software, hardware and workflows, which makes the transition easy.
