Here are the pros and cons of adopting Microsoft Teams calling as a phone system solution for your business: 

Pros: 

• Unified Communication Platform: Teams integrates chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and phone calling, providing a one-stop solution for business communications. 

• Integration with Microsoft 365: If your business already uses Microsoft 365 apps (like Word, Excel, Outlook), Teams offers seamless integration, streamlining workflows. 
• Direct Routing: With direct routing, businesses can connect Teams to a range of telephony providers, offering flexibility in choosing calling plans. 
• Global Reach: Teams allows for international calling and has data centers worldwide, making it suitable for businesses with a global footprint. 
• Advanced Features: Call transfer, call queues, voicemail, and auto attendants are just a few of the features available. 
• Security and Compliance: Teams is built with Microsoft’s advanced security infrastructure, ensuring data protection, compliance, and encrypted communications. 

• Easy Scalability: Adding new users or scaling back is straightforward, making it suitable for businesses of varying sizes and growth trajectories. 
• Cross-Device Compatibility: Teams is available on desktops, mobile devices, and even desk phones, allowing for a consistent experience across devices. 
• Collaboration Enhancement: The integration of calling with other collaboration tools in Teams (like file sharing or chat) enhances team collaboration during calls. 

Cons: 

• Learning Curve: For businesses unfamiliar with Microsoft’s ecosystem, there might be an initial learning curve to effectively navigate and use Teams. 

• Dependency: Being cloud-based, Teams requires a stable internet connection. Any disruptions in internet service could impact call quality or availability. 
• Interoperability: While Teams is powerful, integrating it with non-Microsoft applications or legacy systems might pose challenges. 
• Cost: While Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite, advanced calling features or higher-tier plans might come at an additional cost. 
• Complex Configuration: Setting up advanced features, especially for larger organisations or those with complex needs, might require expert assistance. 
• Performance Variability: Some users have reported variability in performance, especially when many features are used simultaneously. 

• Overwhelming Features: The vast array of features in Teams, while beneficial, can be overwhelming for some users, leading to underutilisation. 

When considering Microsoft Teams calling as a phone system solution, businesses should assess their current infrastructure, future communication needs, budget, and comfort with the Microsoft ecosystem. While Teams offers robust capabilities, it’s essential to ensure it aligns with the specific requirements and goals of your business. 

Telco Broker has helped hundreds of businesses throughout Australia. Locations include Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin. Give the team at Telco Broker a call on 1300 978 073. The initial consultation is complimentary.