This week, Microsoft continues its trajectory of adding new features to its Microsoft Teams platform. This latest round of new entries includes Teams Phone features intended to make it easier to place calls from the app. Microsoft also reported their comprehensive launch of Operator Connect service, which helps organizations connect Teams Phone to PSTN (public switched telephone network ) operators. In addition to more contemporary chat and video options, audio calls remain an essential component of Teams. In fact, as of July 2021, 80 million of Microsoft’s 250 million users are monthly Teams Phone users.
Microsoft Teams

Experts and analysts recognize that the emerging hybrid workplace will require tools that let employees be agile and on the go. The ability to readily transfer calls between devices is a feature that users have requested for quite some time. Teams Phones’ flexibility will allow employees to seamlessly move between the office, home, and kid’s activities.

Teams Phone

Here are some of the new features associated with Teams Phone:

  • Teams Phone offers the ability to transfer a call in progress between endpoints – such as a home computer and mobile device – without interrupting the call. This will be especially useful for someone who wants to remain on the call but has to leave to pick up children or move to a different location. The user simply opens the app on the new device and confirms the switch.
  • The app works to prevent distracting unwanted calls with a spam identification feature. The feature can flag and decline unwanted calls and “digitally attest” outgoing calls to make sure that Teams Phone calls are not identified as spam by external recipients.
  • Another new feature is an integration with Apple CarPlay. Announced earlier this month, the capability allows employees to place calls and join in on voice meetings from their car. The feature is accessed either via the vehicle’s control system or Apple’s Siri voice assistant.
  • Coming within a few months is the ability to record and create a transcript from one-on-one phone calls, as well as a push-to-talk function (akin to walkie-talkies).

Operator Connect

Operator Connect was due to be made available this week after an announcement at Microsoft’s Ignite conference earlier this year. The Operator Connect feature is an operator-managed service that makes it easier for organizations to connect Teams Phone to their PTSN. Although there are only about a dozen PTSN operators in the program, there are many more to come. A significant number of clients are looking to migrate to a cloud option for Teams and voice capability while keeping their existing relationships with telephony carriers.

“By maintaining your existing operator relationships, you will save on infrastructure purchase and management, you will benefit from enterprise-grade reliability and shared technical support,” – Nicole Herskowitz, Microsoft Teams general manager.

Operator Connect employs a more accessible option that will most likely be the go-to option for connectivity and is designed to work in this environment alongside Direct Routing if necessary. Many Teams Phone customers have chosen Direct Routing for PSTN connectivity, but most do not have the skills and expertise required to deploy within their organization.

Because many organizations need these features but do not have the telephone network expertise in-house, they may need to seek outside expertise. Alliance IT has a team of IT experts who are well-versed in the full suite of features available. Call today to set up a consultation to learn how Microsoft Teams can benefit your Sarasota area business.