OPERATOR CONNECT
Microsoft teams has become one of the “Go to” solutions for Video conferencing and remote communication platforms with a monthly global base of over 320 million users – however, Microsoft have never really been regarded as a true “Voice” provider and still fall behind the UK telecom providers in terms of Value adds & basic communication. Traditional Telecom companies have offered “Team integration” which provides a interim between MS Teams and a premium voice product but it doesnt always offer the true Microsoft Teams experience that some users require.
Now, OPERATOR CONNECT is available:
Microsoft have authorised a few corporate partners in the UK to use their own network to connect directly into the Microsoft Platform, offering a True MS Teams connection.
What is Operator Connect?
Operator Connect enables PSTN calling and a range of additional call control features for Microsoft Teams. The service provides VoIP connectivity for Phone System, allowing inbound and outbound telephony through Gamma’s network for termination of both national and international destinations.
To facilitate direct traffic flows and to provide Quality of Service (QoS) between Microsoft and Gamma we will utilise the Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS). In addition to the underlying voice infrastructure, provisioning and management of related numbers is controlled via Teams Admin Centre (TAC) as the management interface, allowing the customer experience to be driven natively through Teams.
Operator Connect is a solution available to Microsoft 365 customers who wish to use their preferred voice carrier to enable their users to make and receive PSTN calls in Microsoft Teams. Gamma operates a cloud model, whereby Microsoft-certified SBCs (Session Border Controllers) are deployed as a bespoke architecture within the Gamma network, for interconnection to Microsoft Teams for PSTN breakout.
The following diagram illustrates the Operator Connect solution, in which the operator (Gamma, in our case) provides the enablement for connectivity with the PSTN:
Benefits of Operator Connect?
Teams Admin Centre (TAC)
A new Operator Connect section will be available in Teams Admin Centre offering the facility to natively control the provisioning and management of operators and numbers. Specifically, this will provide the ability to:
- Discover an Operator.
- View and assign numbers acquired from one or more approved operators.
- Release acquired numbers back to an operator.
- Gain access to additional customer reporting metrics and reports.
Key Features & Benefits
Each number acquired from a given operator will be identified as such in Teams Admin Centre, where they can then be assigned to users. Once assigned, numbers can be used to make and receive PSTN calls.
Service Features
The following features will be supported in line with identified guidance within the Gamma SIP Trunks Technical Service Description.
Call Reporting & Metrics
Operator Connect provides a detailed suite of call reporting tools customisable to your business requirements
SIP TRUNK CALL MANAGER (STCM)
SIP Trunk Call Manager is a value-added service, which brings together a raft of call control features and business continuity services.
SIP Trunk Call Manager offers a comprehensive suite of inbound call handling tools, ideally suited to a business which places high value on the Customer Service provided to callers and those organisations looking to manage with incoming sales enquiries. Implementing call plans will effectively protect businesses from ever missing a call or enable them to make a step change in the way they handle business continuity. Advanced call handling features (such as below) can be tailored to every individual need and adapted instantly via web and app control:
Teams Phone Mobile
The Growing Power of Mobility
The world of business Cloud communications is set to grow and grow.
Cloud based UCaaS (unified Communication as a service) is becoming increasingly indispensable to our business operations today.
Field workers – Enables staff to move seamlessly between mobile and Teams endpoints, using personal or company numbers underpinned by business security policies across all mobile devices. Teams offer single mobile numbers, voicemail and call history.
Increased staff availability and productivity – simultaneous call alerts on Teams, desktop and mobile devices result in fewer missed calls, and both mobile and desktop calls appear “in a call” on the Team client.
Consolidated platforms and systems – provide a single user experience regardless of the user profile, location or device used. All are managed through a single administration portal, with condensed time and resources to manage your estate.
End-to End quality and resilience from EE in partnership with Microsoft Teams and IKONIX
Potential TPM (Teams Phone Mobile) Users
Mobile-Centric Hybrid Users
BENEFITS
TPM (Teams Phone Mobile) Users
BENEFITS
- Simultaneous ringing on Mobile devices & Teams desktop App
- Seamless Switch between Devices without dropping calls
- Uplift of mobile voice calls to Teams for video & screen sharing
- Seamless collaboration including the addition of multiple people
- Enables recordings and transcription on the go.
- Enables administrators to quickly and easily add new users
- Secure devices and communication
- Offers a clear view of usage through analytics
Only available on “Future Mobile Plans” on compatible devices
TPM requires a voice plan(cannot be added to a data only tariff)
A business can have a combination of Teams Phone Solutions (OC / DR / TPM) but an individual user can only have one
Customers must possess three types of Microsoft licences to use TPM & Operator Connect
So what are the Benefits to me?
- Tailored Business Continuity – Overlay with Teams to provide disaster recovery and build simple or complex call routing plans to ensure you never miss a call.
- Direct Control – allows users to configure and control their own solutions through a portal of app.
- Inclusive Call bundle to 01,02,03 & 07
- Advanced Statistics availalble for management and reporting
- Costs are invariably lower than Microsoft’s Calling Plans
- Wider availability of number porting from more range holders in the UK
- Local and dedicated support
- Fraud Prevention / Management
- Single Point of contact for support on both Teams Phone Mobile & Teams Solution
