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    August 11, 2025

    12 Benefits of Microsoft Teams Direct Routing

    A hand holding a white cell phone that is turned off, set against a vibrant, blurry collage of various people's photos.

    Microsoft Teams is a popular communication and collaboration tool used by organizations of all sizes to facilitate teamwork and remote work. The platform offers a variety of features such as chat, video calls, document sharing, and project management tools. One of the key benefits of using Microsoft Teams is its ability to integrate with other communication systems through Direct Routing.

    Direct Routing is a feature within Microsoft Teams that allows organizations to connect their own telephony infrastructure to the platform. This means that users can make and receive external phone calls directly from within the Teams application.

    In this way, Direct Routing provides several advantages for businesses, including cost savings, increased flexibility, and enhanced productivity. Let’s take a closer look at some of Microsoft Teams Direct Routing’s benefits and how they can positively impact an organization.

    Cost Savings

    A stack of light wood blocks spelling out "cost" with down arrows on them. A hand places the "C" block on top of the stack.

    One of the main benefits of using Direct Routing is the potential for cost savings. By connecting their own telephony infrastructure to Teams, organizations can eliminate the need for separate phone systems and reduce costs associated with maintaining them. This means that businesses no longer have to pay for multiple communication systems just to make and receive calls.

    In addition, Direct Routing allows organizations to choose their own Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, which can offer competitive pricing compared to traditional phone service providers. This also enables businesses to negotiate better rates and terms based on their specific needs and usage patterns. With cost savings being a top priority for most organizations, Direct Routing provides a valuable opportunity to reduce communication expenses without sacrificing quality or functionality.

    Flexibility

    Direct Routing also offers increased flexibility for businesses. By integrating their telephony system with Teams, employees gain access to a wide range of communication tools in one platform. This eliminates the need for separate applications or systems for different types of communication, such as video conferencing or instant messaging.

    Scalability

    Another benefit of Direct Routing is its scalability. With traditional telephony systems, adding or removing phone lines can be a complicated and costly process. But with Direct Routing, businesses can easily scale their phone lines up or down as needed without any additional hardware requirements. This ability makes it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

    Customization

    Direct Routing also allows for customization of the telephony system. Businesses can choose from a variety of calling plans and features, such as call recording, voicemail, and auto attendant. This variety is beneficial because not all businesses have the same communication needs. With Direct Routing, businesses can adjust their telephony system to suit the way they work rather than working around the limitations of a one-size-fits-all solution.

    Security

    With Direct Routing, all communication is encrypted. Encryption works by converting the information into a code. This makes it harder for hackers or other unauthorized users to access and intercept sensitive data, empowering businesses to confidently communicate without worrying about data breaches or privacy concerns.

    Productivity and Collaboration

    Direct Routing also enhances productivity and collaboration within organizations. With the ability to make and receive external calls directly within the Teams app, employees no longer have to switch between different applications or devices to communicate with clients or colleagues. Instead, they can easily access all their communication tools in one place. This streamlines workflows and reduces the need for multiple applications, ultimately saving time and increasing efficiency.

    Reliability

    One major advantage of Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is increased reliability. As calls are routed through the Microsoft Teams platform and then connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), businesses can experience higher call quality and fewer dropped calls. This is because Microsoft has invested heavily in its cloud infrastructure to provide a robust and reliable service.

    Remote Work

    A woman sitting at a neat desk, looking down at her laptop, which displays a video call with several participants.

    Microsoft Teams Direct Routing also enables remote work by allowing employees to make and receive business calls from anywhere in the world. This is especially beneficial for companies with a distributed workforce or those that have employees working from home.

    With Direct Routing, employees can use their personal devices, such as mobile phones or laptops, to access their business phone system. They can also take advantage of features such as call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calling to stay connected with their team members and clients wherever they are.

    Integration With Other Applications

    In addition to its many collaboration features, Microsoft Teams also offers a wide range of integrations with popular tools and services. This includes Microsoft Office 365 apps, as well as third-party applications like Trello, Salesforce, and Zendesk. With these integrations, users can easily access and utilize important information and resources within the same platform they use for communication.

    Centralized Management

    One of the major benefits of using Microsoft Teams is its centralized management capabilities, which allow administrators to easily manage and monitor a program’s user permissions, settings, and security. It also provides a single hub for managing external integrations and third-party applications.

    Phone Number Porting

    Microsoft Teams also offers the ability to port existing phone numbers into the platform, making it easier for businesses to transition from traditional phone systems. Users can keep their familiar phone numbers and continue communicating with clients and colleagues without any interruption.

    Compatible With Legacy Systems

    While Microsoft Teams devices offer the best compatibility with the platform, Teams also supports legacy systems like Skype for Business and conference phones. This means that organizations don’t need to invest in new hardware or replace their existing systems to start using Microsoft Teams.

    If your business is searching for a comprehensive communication and collaboration solution, consider Microsoft Teams with Direct Routing. With its robust features, seamless integration with Microsoft 365, and ability to connect with external phone systems, Teams can help streamline communication and increase productivity within your organization. By implementing Direct Routing, you can also enjoy cost savings and increased flexibility in managing your phone system.

    So why wait? If you want to start exploring the possibilities of Microsoft Teams today, Continuant Connect can help. Our specialists can help you smoothly transition from your legacy voice system to Microsoft Teams Direct Routing. We manage the entire process, from planning and implementation to ongoing support and maintenance, so you can focus on running your business. Reach out to us now to learn more and see how Continuant Connect can help you leverage the full potential of Microsoft Teams.

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    Continuant

    Continuant, a Managed Services Provider and Systems Integrator, offering world-class solutions for Cloud, Voice Systems, Networking, UC, and AV. From UC and AV solution design and installation to post-installation support, Continuant focuses on delivering exceptional service to the enterprise. We manage complex...

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