Microsoft Teams has become a popular communication and collaboration platform for businesses of all sizes. One of the key features of Teams is Direct Routing, which allows organizations to use their own phone system with Teams. This feature has opened up a world of possibilities for businesses looking to modernize their communication systems. However, choosing a Microsoft Teams Direct Routing provider can be overwhelming. In this article, we will explore what you need to know when choosing a provider.
What to Consider When Choosing a Direct Routing Provider
When searching for the ideal “Direct Routing as a Service” solution, organizations should consider a provider that enables them to create the optimal system for connecting telephony features to Microsoft Teams. With the appropriate vendor, clients can either transfer and use their existing business numbers or purchase new numbers for operations anywhere in the world.
Direct Routing is a highly sought-after solution for companies seeking to maximize the benefits of the Microsoft Teams platform. Here are some of the key considerations that organizations should take into account when searching for the perfect provider:
1. Expertise
Given the extensive range of providers available, it’s essential to evaluate the vendor’s capabilities when considering Direct Routing solutions.
Does the provider have a proven track record in deploying telephony systems for Microsoft Teams? Can they offer the necessary coverage and scaling capacity to meet your service requirements across all locations?
This evaluation is particularly crucial for multinational companies, as well as organizations that may venture into new markets or experience workforce growth that necessitates greater capacity in the future.
2. Reliability
Experiencing downtime can have severe consequences for a business, causing revenue loss and damaging its reputation by creating a poor customer experience. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider a provider’s support and service levels carefully. Microsoft Teams enterprise voice offers a 99.9% uptime service level agreement (SLA) across its core service areas. This equates to nearly nine hours of downtime per user each year in a consistent operating system.
Additionally, we recommend companies to seek out a third-party provider that ensures optimal performance through failover capabilities and 30min SLA response.
3. Security
Security is a top priority for businesses; therefore, the vendor as well as the Direct Routing provider, should have robust security measures in place to protect your communication systems.
Microsoft Teams, as part of the Microsoft 365 and Office 365 services, follows all the security best practices and procedures such as service-level security through defense-in-depth, customer controls within the service, security hardening, and operational best practices.
With MS 365, your data is encrypted at rest and in transit, using several strong encryption protocols, and technologies that include Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer (TLS/SSL), Internet Protocol Security (IPSec), and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
4. Support
The provider should offer comprehensive support to ensure that your communication systems are always up and running. This includes 24/7 technical support and regular software updates.
5. Cost
Finally, you need to consider the cost of the service. Look for a provider that offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality. For example, our BlueSky UC premium Direct Routing services have been designed to offer a no-commitment alternative to Microsoft Calling Plans by offering a flexible pricing model based on volume featuring pay as you go options go as well as term discounts.
Choosing a Microsoft Teams Direct Routing provider is an important decision for businesses. By considering the factors outlined above, you can select a provider that meets your needs and provides the necessary quality, security, and support to ensure that your communication systems are always up and running. To make the most out of your investment, please contact us. Our UC specialists with +12 years of experience on the MS voice stack, will guide you through your transition to Microsoft cloud communications.
