Using a collaboration tool (i.e. Teams) as your phone system. Why and alternatives!

In this article we’ll discuss using a collaboration tool as your phone system.

What is a collaboration tool?

Perhaps the most well known collaboration tool, one you’re probably using already, is Teams from Microsoft.  A collaboration tool is a PC or mobile device app which can be used for chat, screen sharing, video calls and conferencing plus the ability to organise your work by team or subject.  As standard most collab tools, including Teams, allow calls (voice only or video) between users but not to parties outside the platform, you can’t dial an 01, 02 or mobile number.  To do that you’ll need a separate phone system or your mobile.

It’s possible to upgrade your collab tool so it can be used as phone system.  Therefore the collab tool you’re already familiar with becomes even more useful thus driving productivity and efficiency.  Cost savings might also be possible as there’s no need to pay for and maintain a separate phone system.  There’ll also be no need to reach for your mobile to make external calls, in THIS ARTICLE we discuss some of the risks associated with using a mobile phone for business purposes.

 

Is Teams the only choice?

Microsoft Teams isn’t the only collaboration tool which can be used as a phone system.  Webex by Cisco replicates Teams’ feature set and adds some interesting additions such as an AI meeting assistant.  In some scenarios Webex works out less expensive than Teams.

Using a phone system as a collaboration tool!

Modern cloud phone systems often offer collaboration features.  For example chat, video calls and multi-media meetings are available as standard with the 3CX PC and mobile app.

Why?

We have touched on “why?” already.  Using a collaboration tool drives cost savings, efficiency, productivity and flexibility.  Using a collaboration tool as a phone system magnifies these gains and can allow you to offer customers a better experience leading to higher sales, THIS ARTICLE might be an interesting read.

Confused?

Clearly there are a multitude of options and it’s important you pick the right one for your business.  Why not seeking our advice?  We’d gladly take the time to understand your business, your objectives and the challenges you face then recommend some options, please GET IN TOUCH!