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Want the scoop on direct routing and how it can benefit your business? Then you’re in the right place! Welcome to our comprehensive guide to direct routing. We’ll be answering key questions like:

• What is direct routing?  

• How does direct routing work?  

• Are there differences between direct routing and calling plans? 

• What are the advantages of direct routing?

Sound helpful? Then read on.

What is Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams?  

The best place for a guide to direct routing to begin would be defining our terms. Direct routing is a method where a third-party telephony provider connects your Microsoft Teams users to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) so you can make and take external calls from the Teams application. It transforms Teams into a full-fledged business phone system using three things:  

1. A Teams instance  

1. A cloud phone system with the capabilities you want to bring into Teams  

1. A connection to the PSTN through Microsoft or a third-party provider like FirstComm

How Does Direct Routing Work?  

It primarily works using session border controllers (SBCs). These systems act as the “go-between” for your phone system, Teams, and the PSTN. When you start a call from Teams, it’s the SBC that determines who the call is from and where it’s going and routes the call appropriately.  

The setup is relatively straightforward. 

• First, you pick a provider that’s pre-approved by Microsoft to provide direct routing services. Let’s say you pick FirstComm.  

• FirstComm then sets up the necessary configurations to make direct routing work—no DIY required! This usually involves: 

1. A) Working with the Office 365 Admin Portal to set everything up, or
2. B) Establishing their own virtual session border controllers and integrating them with your phone system and Teams. 

FirstComm will also work with you to set up voice policies and call routes that will fit your needs. 

• Once integration is complete, FirstComm will thoroughly test the integration to ensure that all calls run smoothly without interruptions. Any issues will be caught, analyzed, and solved.  
• Now comes deployment! You can now make and take calls right from Teams and enjoy all the cloud phone features you’ve come to love from your original system. FirstComm also provides hands-on support and ongoing maintenance so you don’t have to worry about a thing. 

What’s the Difference Between Direct Routing and Microsoft Calling Plans?  

If you’ve considered a Teams integration, you’ve probably heard a little about Microsoft Calling Plans, too. Both options allow Teams to make and take external calls, but they cater to different types of businesses. Let’s take a closer look.

Microsoft Calling Plans  

With this approach, Microsoft acts as your carrier and handles all internal and external calls. Microsoft offers two main types of plans: Domestic and Domestic & International. They’re straightforward to set up and chosen by smaller businesses because of their convenience. However, there are a few cons to consider, like:

• Call plans can limit the flexibility of your integration  

• Fixed calling bundles can become expensive as your needs change over time  

• Ongoing customer support is limited, especially for complicated needs

Direct Routing  

This option connects Microsoft Teams to the PSTN using a third-party provider, typically a telephony veteran like FirstComm, with the cloud infrastructure needed to route calls well. And it’s preferred by many businesses for several reasons:

• More engaged and communicative support: Because you get to choose your Direct Routing provider, you get to choose one with the support you need from migration to day-to-day management.  

• Lower prices: Instead of locking you at a flat rate, third-party providers can offer flexible calling plans to fit your usage patterns. You only pay for what you use.  

• More customizable solutions: These providers have the flexibility to build custom connections to meet your specific needs, no matter how complicated.   

 

5 Advantages of Direct Routing  

No guide to direct routing would be complete without discussing its advantages. 

1: It centralizes your communications  

Direct routing brings all your communication tools under one roof – Microsoft Teams. This makes it easier for IT to manage, ensures everyone follows the same compliance rules, and makes training new employees a breeze.

2: It makes your employee experience more consistent  

When everything’s in one place, your team can enjoy better communication with each other and with clients. Because they know how to use the platform and don’t have to switch mid-task, they can get things done faster and stay on the same page.

3: It increases your corporate agility  

Because direct routing is based in the cloud, your integration can shift to fit new work strategies as your team evolves. For example, if you’re transitioning to hybrid or remote work, you can easily tweak your information in Teams. All it takes is a call to FirstComm and a few simple clicks.

4: It simplifies your technology management  

Using Direct Routing from FirstComm, you can work with fewer communication vendors, reduce costs and stress, and keep your existing numbers! No need for multiple contracts or numbers. Now you can use one phone number and one system, no matter where you work.

5: It reduces your communication costs  

Direct routing can save you quite a bit of money on hardware and day-to-day maintenance. Plus, you can often get better deals on domestic and international calling plans. Why? Because your direct routing provider has already negotiated the best prices with other carriers and can pass those savings on to you.

All in all, direct routing is an excellent choice for businesses looking to save money, solve specific problems, and get the hands-on help they need. We hope this guide to direct routing has been helpful!  

Ready to Explore Direct Routing for Your Business? Choose FirstComm!  

As a trusted Microsoft partner, FirstComm can help you find your voice when it comes to Microsoft Teams. Whether you run a mom-and-pop shop or an international corporation, we can design a direct routing solution that’s powerful, reliable, and easy to deploy.

Want to learn more? Reach out today, and we’ll be happy to get you started!