No doubt the levels of growth that Microsoft Teams has seen over the past two years was probably unexpected, even from Microsoft’s standpoint. Globally, companies adopted the platform to ease remote working and now it truly is here to stay. The collaborative working features it offers makes it a great fit for many businesses. But what if a Teams user wants to make a phone call to a customer or supplier outside of their organisation?

The Solution: Link 3CX with Teams!

While it is true that MS Teams brings a whole host of benefits to users, the built-in phone system is somewhat lacking in features and the call plans are expensive. Enter 3CX! As a PBX phone system, it integrates seamlessly with Teams to enable external calling. At the same time adding Enterprise-grade features to elevate the MS Teams platform to the next level.

By utilising 3CX in the background to run all the call routing configurations such as call queues, digital receptionists and reporting, users can stay within Teams for all their day-to-day tasks. One of the key plus points is that a local SIP trunk provider is selected which unlocks major cost savings on local and international call plans.

How to call out using Microsoft Teams

Using Teams to make and receive calls couldn’t be easier. Desktop application users will already be familiar with the way calls are made and received, easing the transition to using 3CX with Teams. Mobile application users have the benefit of being able to place calls over Teams to ensure a unified company presence by presenting the company main number when dialling out. This also has the added benefit of preventing staff mobile numbers from being used, bypassing company processes.

A call can be made in 2 easy steps:

Step 1

Microsoft Teams - Calls Tab

  • Navigate to the Calls tab and enter:
    • An external number (e.g Mobile or Landline)
    • An extension number to dial a user on 3CX (e.g 040)
    • A name to dial a user directly on Teams (e.g Brandon)

Step 2

Microsoft Teams - More Icon

Once a call is in progress the ‘More’ icon can be used to complete actions including placing the call on hold, transferring the call to another user and editing audio device settings.

For more information on how to use Microsoft Teams calling, check our Teams calling with 3CX integration manual

Integrating Microsoft Teams with 3CX

If you’re an IT Admin wanting to implement this for your company, we’ve put together several configuration guides and video tutorials for you to get started:

Our community forum is available to ask any questions which get answered by the wider community and our extremely helpful technical support team.

The Benefits of Microsoft Teams Integration

If you are already running 3CX then adding this integration is a great option as it allows even more choice of how your end-users use the system. If you currently do not run 3CX and are looking for a PBX out there to plug into Teams then 3CX ticks the boxes.

  • No additional hardware or 3rd party required to proxy the traffic
  • Simple set up and management
  • Save on purchasing additional Microsoft licenses (not everyone needs Teams)
  • Unify global organisations: Create routes to save on expensive international call traffic.

Reduce Admin: Sync MS 365 to 3CX

CRM & ERP Integration - Microsoft 365

Setting up Microsoft 365 integration not only allows Teams to be set up to make and receive calls but it will also create stronger synergy between the two platforms.

  • Automatically sync user contacts to 3CX personal phonebook
  • Shared mailbox contacts are automatically synced to the 3CX company phonebook
  • 3CX profile status is automatically updated based on Microsoft calendar events
  • Make calls directly from Microsoft 365 by simply clicking on a contact
  • Incoming calls match Microsoft contacts to display callers name
  • Web Client and the Desktop app automatically pop up to ensure you never miss a call

Conclusion

End users all want choices. By integrating Microsoft Teams with 3CX you are giving them just that, choices. Our Teams integration is available on our Enterprise license. With that in mind, we are offering any existing Professional edition key holders a free upgrade to an Enterprise. That means if you just renewed your subscription you will get one year free to try out our Enterprise edition! Head over to our blog post to find out more.