Written by Noah Henshaw- Account Executive
Microsoft Teams has become a standard tool for meetings, chat, and collaboration. With Microsoft Teams Phone, organizations can also use Teams as their business phone system.
Teams Phone adds calling features to the Teams platform. Instead of using a separate desk phone or phone application, employees can make and receive business calls through Teams. Users can keep a business phone number and answer calls from their computer, mobile device, or compatible desk phone.
For organizations already using Microsoft 365 and Teams, this can simplify how employees communicate. A user can move between chat, meetings, internal calls, and external phone calls without switching between several platforms. This can be especially useful for remote and hybrid teams that may not spend much time near a traditional office phone.
Key Features of Teams Phone
Teams Phone includes many features businesses expect from a modern phone system. Organizations can set up voicemail, call forwarding, auto attendants, call queues, and other call-routing options.
These features allow companies to handle common business needs such as a main office number, departmental routing, sales lines, and customer support queues, all within the Teams environment.
Simplified Management for IT Teams
Another benefit of Teams Phone is centralized management. IT teams can manage users and many calling settings through the Microsoft environment instead of maintaining a separate phone platform.
For organizations looking to reduce the number of systems they support, bringing business calling into Teams can help streamline administration and simplify day-to-day management.
Is Teams Phone Right for Every Organization?
That does not mean every organization should replace its existing phone system. Companies with complex call centers, specialized hardware, or unique calling requirements may still need a separate solution. Existing contracts and current phone costs should also be considered before making a change.
Teams Phone also requires the proper licensing and a connection to the public telephone network. The exact setup can vary depending on how an organization chooses to purchase and manage its calling services.
Final Thoughts on Microsoft Teams Phone
For businesses already using Teams every day, Teams Phone provides another way to bring communication into the Microsoft 365 environment. The decision ultimately comes down to whether simplifying business calling through Teams aligns with the organization’s users, existing systems, and overall communication needs.