Got Microsoft Teams? How a Cloud Phone System Will Maximize Its Value

Every month, 320 million¹ people log onto Microsoft Teams to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues and clients—and that number is growing. They chat, engage in a quick audio internal call, meet on video, and share files, all from the convenience of the Teams app on their computer or phone.

Perhaps you’re a small business considering joining that group. Or you already have Microsoft Teams but want to know how you can get the most value out of your investment. For most businesses, the best option is integrating Teams with a cloud phone system like Cloudli Connect, which can provide all the benefits of an enterprise phone system while maintaining the simplicity of a single Microsoft Teams interface.

How Integrating Microsoft Teams with Your Cloud Phone System Takes You from Standard to Maximum Value

1. Cloud Phone Service

Standard: Internal or Teams-to-Teams calling only

Microsoft Teams lets you place and receive a video or audio call to or from anyone who is connected to you via the Teams app, whether internally or externally. That works fine for in-office conversation. But every time you want to talk to someone outside of Teams, you will need to switch to a different phone, app, or service to make or receive the call. 

Maximized: Call anyone from anywhere

Integrating Microsoft Teams with Cloudli Connect gives you the ability to call anyone, both internally and externally, whether they have a Teams extension, cell number, or standard phone line. The Teams app provides direct access to your Cloudli Connect voice plan. When you use Teams on the device of your choice, you have access on the same app interface to both Teams functionalities and the calling keypad that uses your Cloudli Connect voice service.  

Cloudli Connect also offers cost-effective bundles, as well as local and toll-free phone numbers, so you can take your business virtually anywhere.

2. Equipment

Standard: Teams-compatible phones are required for calling

If you choose to use a Microsoft Teams phone plan for your external business calling, you must replace your current phones with Teams-compatible devices. In addition to the extra expense, those special phones cost users time since you must make sure you’re logged in before you make a call. And you’ll have one more device to manage along with the others you already use.

Maximized: Bring-your-own-device with the app integration

Cloudli Connect supports a wide range of phone and desktop devices. We connect them to your Teams account as extensions, so when you receive a call, all devices connected to that Teams account ring simultaneously. You can answer whichever device is most convenient at that time. 

Your Teams status is also automatically updated to show when you’re on a call. This gives you a fully unified communications environment. You’ll never miss an important phone call, whether you’re at your desk or on the go. 

Plus, when you have Microsoft Teams integrated with Cloudli Connect, you’ll have no costly equipment expenses or tedious logins, making it a no-brainer for time- and cost-conscious small businesses.

3. Features 

Standard: Basic voice features

Microsoft Teams includes many basic functions, such as voicemail, call merging, call transfer, and transcription. However, some of these may not be sufficient for your needs, depending on the complexities of your business. For instance, the Teams auto attendant can provide only one-step transfer rather than nested menus to help callers drill down to the exact individual or department they need. 

Maximized: Enterprise-grade phone system features to meet critical business demands

The Cloudli Connect integration expands your cloud phone system capabilities with business-friendly features that accommodate more flexibility or complexity. For instance, perhaps you employ an executive assistant who screens calls for multiple people, and adding a Receptionist Console, which isn’t available on Teams, would streamline the process for greater efficiency. 

Microsoft Teams integration with Cloudli Connect also lets you choose from optional features as your business grows or your needs change, such as alerts and notifications for large-group message deployment or a call center for when you need additional customer support during busy seasons.

4. Support

Standard: Self-service troubleshooting tools

If you encounter technical problems, Microsoft Teams has an extensive online database of self-help troubleshooting tools and, of course, an AI chatbot. However, you may need an advanced degree in Microsoft-ese in order to get the answer you really need. And when you can’t find solutions, you will likely have to endure a long wait to connect with a live technical support staffer, leaving your business at a standstill.

Maximized: Live support when you need it

When you choose Microsoft Teams integration with Cloudli Connect, you instantly acquire a team of technical support professionals who can help address problems quickly and successfully. That’s critical for small businesses that can’t afford downtime while they strive to keep and grow their own customer base.

Integrated Microsoft Teams: Optimum Value, Optimum Convenience

Microsoft Teams can offer your small business a host of communications tools important to today’s mobile environment. However, Teams alone isn’t enough for most companies since it lacks the cloud phone system features, BYOD flexibility and customer support you need to communicate and collaborate with your staff and customers.

That’s why Cloudli Connect offers seamless Microsoft Teams integration. You can get the best of both worlds: enterprise phone system features to help you run a thriving business with the simplicity of single-app navigation.

Reach out to one of our experts to learn how Cloudli-Teams integration can work for you.

[1] Source: Teams Grows to 320 Million Monthly Active Users