In the evolving landscape of unified communications, businesses are increasingly turning to Microsoft Teams as their go-to platform for collaboration and communication. Central to this transformation are two key features: Direct Routing vs. Operator Connect.
These capabilities empower organisations to integrate voice services directly into Teams, enhancing productivity and streamlining communication workflows.
Direct Routing offers organisations the flexibility to connect their existing telephony infrastructure with Microsoft Teams. This integration allows businesses to use their preferred telecommunications provider to make and receive calls within the Teams environment.
Unlike traditional calling plans offered by telecom carriers, Direct Routing enables companies to maintain control over their communication costs while leveraging the global reach and reliability of Microsoft Teams.
Direct Routing functions by establishing a direct connection between a business's on-premises telephony infrastructure and Microsoft Teams. This connection is facilitated through Session Border Controllers (SBCs), which act as intermediaries, ensuring seamless communication between the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Teams users.
By configuring SBCs, organisations can route external calls to Teams users and vice versa, leveraging existing phone numbers and ensuring a consistent calling experience.
Direct routing is often preferred for its flexibility in integrating with existing infrastructure while also providing businesses with the capability to maintain control over their telephony environment. It also offers cost efficiencies by allowing organisations to use their preferred telecom providers and negotiate competitive calling rates, optimising their communication expenses effectively.
Discover how Direct Routing enhances communication capabilities within Microsoft Teams with its array of strategic advantages:
Direct Routing typically involves initial setup costs for SBCs and ongoing maintenance expenses. Pricing varies based on the number of users, geographic locations, and service agreements with telephony providers. However, the cost savings from choosing competitive calling rates and the flexibility to scale make it a compelling choice for many businesses.
Operator Connect, introduced by Microsoft, offers a managed service approach to integrate telephony services directly into Teams. Operator Connect is an operator-managed service that brings PSTN calling to Teams. Unlike Direct Routing, where businesses manage their telephony connections, Operator Connect delegates this responsibility to certified telecom operators.
This managed service model simplifies deployment and maintenance, allowing organisations to focus on core business activities while ensuring robust communication capabilities.
Operator Connect means seamlessly integrating Microsoft Teams with a telecom operator's network, enabling users to utilise their existing phone numbers directly within the Teams interface. Setting up Operator Connect involves partnering with a telecom operator who manages the entire setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of the telephony infrastructure.
This approach ensures Operator Connect takes the complexity out of telephony integration, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and SLAs for reliable communication services.
Discover how Operator Connect transforms communication efficiency and reliability within Microsoft Teams:
Operator Connect involves service fees charged by telecom operators, which typically include setup costs, monthly subscriptions, and usage-based charges for calls. Pricing structures vary based on the operator's service offerings, geographic coverage, and additional service features.
Organisations benefit from predictable billing and simplified cost management, aligning expenses with usage.
Direct Routing and Operator Connect offer distinct approaches to integrating telephony services into Microsoft Teams, catering to diverse business needs and preferences:
In conclusion, choosing between Direct Routing and Operator Connect hinges on organisational priorities regarding control, management complexity, and scalability. Direct Routing empowers businesses with flexibility and cost efficiency, which is ideal for those seeking customisable telephony integrations within Microsoft Teams.
Conversely, Operator Connect offers simplicity and reliability through managed services, appealing to organisations that prioritise ease of deployment and robust service delivery.
Businesses can choose between Operator Connect or Direct Routing to unlock Microsoft Teams' full communication potential. Whether selecting an operator from a list for Operator Connect or opting for Direct Routing's control-driven approach, organisations ensure seamless connectivity and enhanced productivity globally.
These solutions are part of Operator Connect, utilising innovative methods to connect Teams and navigate unified communications, driving growth and collaboration in today's digitally connected world.
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When deciding between Operator Connect and Direct Routing, consider your organisation's existing telephony infrastructure, the level of control you need over PSTN calling services, and the flexibility required in managing phone numbers within Microsoft Teams.
Teams Direct Routing enables organisations to connect their external telephony infrastructure directly to Microsoft Teams, utilising the Teams Admin Center for seamless integration and management of PSTN connectivity.
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing provides organisations with the flexibility to choose their telephony providers and manage PSTN calling services more efficiently through the Teams Admin Center.
Operator Connect allows organisations to connect directly with telecom providers endorsed by Microsoft for PSTN calling services, while Direct Routing integrates existing phone systems into Teams for greater control and flexibility.
Direct Routing simplifies PSTN connectivity by enabling organisations to use their preferred calling plans and manage Microsoft Teams calling directly through the Teams Admin Center.
When comparing Calling Plans and Operator Connect, evaluate factors such as cost-effectiveness, integration with existing infrastructure, and the level of support offered by Microsoft's network of Operator Connect partners.
The advantages of Direct Routing include flexibility in choosing telephony providers, cost-effective management of calling plans, and enhanced control over assigning phone numbers directly within the Teams environment.
The Teams Admin Center serves as a centralised platform for administrators to configure and manage Teams phone systems, assign phone numbers, and optimise communication workflows within the organisation.
Microsoft Operator Connect enables organisations to connect directly with Microsoft-approved telecom providers for reliable PSTN calling services within the Teams environment, leveraging the expertise of Operator Connect partners.
