Calling All Microsoft Teams Users: Choosing the Best VoIP Partner

Your business thrives within the Microsoft ecosystem, leveraging Teams for seamless communication and collaboration. But to truly take your communication to the next level, you're considering adding VoIP calling. However, with so many VoIP providers out there, picking the best fit can be quite difficult.

This article dives deep into two popular VoIP solutions designed to integrate flawlessly with your existing Microsoft environment. We'll compare voip.ms and RingCentral, focusing on pricing (considering both annual subscriptions) and key features, to help you make an informed decision and select the ideal VoIP partner for your business needs.

1. RingCentral: The All-in-One Powerhouse

Pros:

• Effortless Integration: RingCentral seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Teams, offering a plug-in for a hassle-free connection. This means minimal setup time and a familiar user experience.
• Comprehensive Features: RingCentral offers a wide range of features out of the box, including voicemail transcription, call recording, and analytics. Businesses looking for a feature-rich solution won't be disappointed.
• Dedicated Customer Support: RingCentral offers readily available customer support for any issues that may arise.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: RingCentral is generally more expensive than voip.ms, with tiered pricing based on features and user count.
• Less Customization: While offering plenty of features, RingCentral provides less customization compared to voip.ms.

Microsoft Licenses + RingCentral Pricing

Microsoft License	Currency	License Price	Teams Phone Standard	RingCentral Core	Pricing (Starts at)
Business Standard	CAD	$17.00	$10.90	$30.00	$57.90
	USD	$12.50	$8.00	$20.00	$40.50
Business Premium	CAD	$29.90	$10.90	$30.00	$70.80
	USD	$22.00	$8.00	$20.00	$50.00

*All prices below are annual subscriptions. Monthly cancel at anytime pricing for Microsoft licenses are a 20% premium

2. voip.ms

Pros:

• Unbeatable Pricing: voip.ms offers the most flexible and cost-effective option, only $4.95 for unlimited calls. Perfect for businesses with fluctuating call volume or those on a tight budget.
• No Teams? No Problem! Even without Microsoft Teams, voip.ms offers the flexibility of a full PBX solution. Utilize softphones and enjoy all the features for just $4.95 per user per month. No RingCentral or Microsoft licenses required! 
• Customization: Users can tailor the system to their specific needs with a wide range of features and add-ons, like call recording (at a nominal cost of a quarter penny per minute in USD) and auto attendants.
• Microsoft Teams Integration: Integrate voip.ms with Teams using Teams Voice Connector, enabling seamless call management within the familiar Microsoft interface.
• Tailored for Your Needs: Advanced users can customize the system extensively with a wide range of features and add-ons. This includes call recording, auto attendants, IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems, call queues, SMS integration, and more. Essentially, you get a complete phone system without managing your own PBX server.
• User-Friendly Management: The voip.ms customer portal allows easy configuration of call queues, creation of voice prompts, management of on-hold messages, and customization of call handling during business and non-business hours.
• Responsive Support: Benefit from 24/7 customer support that offers prompt assistance.

Cons:

• DIY Setup: Setting up voip.ms might require some technical knowledge, which could be a hurdle for businesses with limited IT resources.

Microsoft Licenses + voip.ms pricing

Microsoft License	Currency	License Price	Teams Phone Standard	Teams Voice Connector	Voip Calling Plan	Pricing (Starts at)
Business Standard	CAD	$17.00	$10.90	~$6.17	~$6.78	~$40.85
	USD	$12.50	$8.00	$4.50	$4.95	$29.95
Business Premium	CAD	$29.90	$10.90	~$6.17	~$6.78	~$53.75
	USD	$22.00	$8.00	$4.50	$4.95	$39.45

*All prices below are annual subscriptions. Monthly cancel at anytime pricing for Microsoft licenses are a 20% premium

Ringcentral vs voip.ms savings per employee/month/year

Microsoft License	Currency	RingCentral Core	voip.ms	Savings per Employee/month	Savings per Employee/year
Business Standard	CAD	$57.90	$40.85	$17.05	$204.60
	USD	$40.50	$29.95	$10.55	$126.60
Business Premium	CAD	$70.80	$53.75	$17.05	$204.60
	USD	$50.00	$39.45	$10.55	$126.60

Still need more data? Take a look at softwareadvice.com’s comparison.

The Verdict: voip.ms Takes the Cake 

For small businesses already using Microsoft Teams and seeking the most budget-friendly VoIP solution, voip.ms is the clear champion. Its unlimited plan allows for maximum control over your communication costs, and the customization options give you the flexibility to grow with your business. By leveraging voip.ms, you can stretch your hard-earned dollars further and unlock a powerful communication solution for your thriving Microsoft ecosystem.

Is Microsoft Teams the Right Phone System for Your Small Business?

Small business owners often wear multiple hats, handling roles from CEO to IT support. Balancing various responsibilities while managing costs can be demanding. Choosing the right tools is necessary for efficiency. Could Microsoft Teams be a solution for your business’s phone system needs?

The All-in-One Appeal

One of the biggest draws of Microsoft Teams is its versatility. It streamlines operations and saves time because your emails, chats, video calls, and now, phone calls are all in one place. 

Cost Savings and Efficiency

Traditional phone systems can be expensive, with monthly fees, and equipment costs. Teams offers a potentially cheaper alternative. You might even qualify for bundled discounts if you're already using other Microsoft products. Plus, features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and call analytics can boost efficiency.

Flexibility and Mobility

With Teams, your employees can work from anywhere with an internet connection. Incoming calls can be forwarded to their mobile phones or laptops, ensuring you never miss an important call.

Call Quality and Reliability

While Teams generally offers good call quality, it's essential to have a stable internet connection. Factors like network congestion and your internet service provider can impact call clarity. However, Teams does offer features like noise cancellation to improve call quality.

Security and Privacy

Teams offers robust security features, including encryption and data protection measures. However, it's essential to stay updated on the latest security practices and implement additional safeguards if necessary.

Integration with Your Business

Teams seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products like Outlook, Word, and Excel, improving workflow efficiency. However, if you use non-Microsoft applications, you might need to invest in additional integration tools or find workarounds.

Making the Decision

Before making the switch, carefully assess your business needs. Consider factors like the size of your team, the volume of calls you handle, your employees' tech-savviness, and the importance of call quality and reliability. 

If you're looking to simplify operations, reduce costs, and boost flexibility, Teams might be a good fit. However, if traditional phone service is your top priority and you have concerns about internet connectivity, sticking with a traditional system might be a better option.

Conclusion

The best way to decide if Microsoft Teams is the right phone system for your business is to test it out. Interlock IT offers free trials or demos, allowing you to experience Teams firsthand and see if it meets your business needs. - ask ken if we can offer free trials

By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about whether Microsoft Teams is the right phone system for your small business.

Contact Interlock IT for your free trial.

How Can I Make a Regular Phone Call Using Microsoft Teams?

PSTN is the traditional phone system, often referred to as a landline, that has been around for many years. With rapid innovation in the sector, everything changed, and people became accustomed to internet mobile communications over apps like WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. 

When it is reported that Microsoft is enabling PSTN calling with Teams Phone, it essentially means that the company is allowing users to make and receive traditional phone calls (landline or mobile) directly through the Microsoft Teams platform. By integrating PSTN capabilities into Teams, Microsoft is bridging the gap between the old and modern form of communication.

How to Make a Regular Phone Call on Microsoft Teams

1. Open Microsoft Teams: Launch the Teams app on your computer, laptop, or mobile device.
2. Dial a Number: Look for the dial pad icon/ Calls icon (usually a phone-shaped button). 
3. Enter the Number: Type in the phone number you want to call, including the area code.
4. Place the Call: Hit the call button.

It's as simple as that! You'll be connected to a regular phone line, just like making a call from your traditional phone.

Benefits of Using Microsoft Teams for Phone Calls

• All-in-one Convenience: Combine your chats, video calls, and now, phone calls into one app. No more juggling multiple devices.
• Save Money: Many people find that using Teams for phone calls can save them money on their phone bills.
• Improved Productivity: Quickly switch between chat, video calls, and phone calls without leaving Teams.
• Better Customer Service: Businesses can provide a more consistent customer experience by offering multiple ways to connect.

Microsoft Teams Phone Plans

Feature/Plan	Microsoft Teams Phone Standard	Teams Phone with pay-as-you-go calling (country zone 1)	Teams Phone with domestic calling (country zone 1 – UK/Canada)	Teams Phone with international calling
Price (CAD)	$10.90/user/month	$13.60/user/month	$20.40/user/month	$43.40/user/month
Subscription Type	Annual (auto-renews)	Annual (auto-renews)	Annual (auto-renews)	Annual (auto-renews)
Cloud-based Phone System	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Make/Receive Voice and Video Calls	Yes (PSTN or internet)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Join/Transfer Calls Between Devices	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Add Operator PSTN Service	Yes (Operator Connect/Direct Routing)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Combine with Operator Connect Mobile	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A
99.999% Uptime SLA	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A
Phone Number Provided	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Inbound Calling	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Outbound Calling	N/A	Metered	Domestic	International
Call Queue	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Attendant	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Recording	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Transcription	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Unlimited Meetings	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Unlimited Messaging	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
File Sharing	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tasks/Polling	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cloud Storage	No	10 GB/user	10 GB/user	10 GB/user
Domestic Calling	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes
International Calling	N/A	N/A	No	Yes

Real-Life Examples

• Family and Friends: Stay in touch with loved ones, even if they don't use Teams, by calling them directly from the app.
• Small Businesses: Handle customer calls, place orders, and communicate with suppliers efficiently.
• Remote Workers: Make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, just like being in the office.

Addressing Common Concerns

• Is it safe? Yes, Microsoft Teams has strong security measures to protect your calls and data.
• Do I need special equipment? No, all you need is a device with the Teams app and an internet connection.
• What if my internet is slow? While a good internet connection is ideal, Teams can often adjust to slower speeds. If you experience issues, try using Wi-Fi instead of mobile data.
• Can I use Teams for emergency calls? Currently, emergency calling is not available in all regions. Check your local regulations for more information.

By combining the convenience of modern communication with the familiarity of traditional phone calls, Microsoft Teams offers a versatile solution for both personal and professional use.

12 Ways AI Makes Our Lives Easier

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming many aspects of our daily lives. Here are a dozen ways AI is making things smoother, more efficient, and even more entertaining:

1. Smoother Commutes: Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft use AI to analyze past traffic data and predict demand. This allows them to strategically position drivers for faster pick-ups and shorter travel times.
2. Voice-Activated Assistants: Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa leverage AI to understand and respond to voice commands. They can access vast amounts of information online, allowing them to answer questions, set reminders, and even control smart home devices.
3. Smarter Customer Service: Chatbots powered by AI are becoming increasingly common, offering 24/7 customer support on websites and apps. These chatbots can answer basic questions, troubleshoot problems, and even direct users to the appropriate resources.
4. Personalized Entertainment: Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify use AI to analyze user behavior and recommend content tailored to their preferences. This allows users to discover new shows, movies, and music they're likely to enjoy.
5. Targeted Marketing: Businesses are using AI to personalize marketing campaigns based on customer data. This can involve targeted advertising, product recommendations, and even email marketing tailored to individual interests.
6. Real-Time Translation: Google Lens uses AI-powered image recognition to translate text in real-time. Simply point your phone's camera at a foreign language sign or document, and Google Lens will translate it for you, removing language barriers.
7. Curated Social Media Feeds: Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram use AI algorithms to personalize your feed based on your past interactions. This means you'll see more content you're likely to enjoy, such as posts from friends you engage with frequently or topics you've shown interest in.
8. Predictive Keyboards: Many smartphone keyboards use AI to predict the next word you're about to type. This can help save time and improve typing accuracy.
9. Accessible Content: AI-powered features like Live Captions on YouTube generate real-time captions for videos, making them more accessible for people with hearing impairments.
10. Organized Inboxes: AI spam filters help keep your inbox clean by automatically identifying and filtering out unwanted emails. Some email services also use AI to categorize emails into folders, making them easier to find.
11. AI-Generated Images: AI tools powered by Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) can create unique and original images. Businesses can use these tools to generate visuals for marketing materials, presentations, or other creative content.
12. More Accurate Weather Forecasts: Weather forecasting is becoming more precise thanks to AI. Meteorological models powered by AI analyze vast amounts of data to predict weather patterns with greater accuracy. This helps us plan our days more effectively and make informed decisions during severe weather events.

Conclusion

As we've seen, AI is woven into the fabric of many everyday experiences. From streamlining commutes to personalizing entertainment, AI offers a wide range of benefits for businesses and consumers alike. 

Interested in integrating AI into your business? Partner with Interlock IT to integrate this powerful technology and future-proof your business.

AI for your Success. Get a Free Trial. Contact Interlock IT.