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.