What is Microsoft Teams Operator Connect and is it Right for You?

If your organization is using or evaluating Microsoft Teams Phone Solutions to replace your legacy PBX or Cloud Service Provider like RingCentral and 8x8 you’re likely dealing with a decision on how to connect.

It is important to connect your Telephone & Toll-Free Numbers and facilitate Local, LD, Toll-Free, and International calls while attempting to reduce charges and improve service.

If a reliable phone solution is required to operate your business effectively, a poor-performing phone solution will adversely affect your relationship with customers. Making a wrong decision on your service providers can be detrimental to your company’s performance.

More specifically, these damaged business relationships will result in lost customers and revenue. Using Microsoft Teams with Coeo Operator Connect, however, can improve the performance of your phone solution to avoid these issues.

Coeo understands how important a reliable phone system is and has delivered thousands of Microsoft Phone Solutions and Operator Connect to help improve phone performance and avoid communication issues with customers.

By the end of this article, you will understand what Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is, its features, and whether Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is a good solution for your organization.

What is Microsoft Teams Operator Connect?

Microsoft Teams became very popular during the pandemic in 2020 enabling employees to work from home.

However, Microsoft Teams has historically been known as a collaborative platform that enables organizations to communicate internally via video or voice call, or messaging.

Microsoft Teams also provides telephony with regular phone solutions. One of the ways Microsoft does this is through Teams Operator Connect.

Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is a solution that enables organizations to connect their existing phone service to the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) through qualified Telecom Service Providers to make and receive calls.

Moving your existing phone service to Operator Connect enables you to make calls through Microsoft Teams rather than needing another online connection. This enables you to save money by continuing to use your existing phone system and infrastructure.

Operator Connect also enables you to connect your solution with certified operators, such as Coeo, directly to Microsoft Teams. These operators are certified by Microsoft to provide Operator Connect solutions to organizations.

Organizations looking to use Microsoft Teams Operator Connect can choose Coeo Solutions, for example, from their list of certified operators to manage and provide this solution.

The features and functionality of Microsoft Teams Operator Connect

Operator Connect is a complimentary product to Microsoft’s Phone Solution that can improve the performance and reliability of any organization’s phones.

It is important to understand the features and functionality of the solution so you can better determine whether it is a good solution for your organization. The features and functionality of Microsoft Teams Operator Connect include:

Easy to set up

One of the main features of Operator Connect is its ease of setup. Operator Connect has a simplified setup through the Microsoft Teams Admin Center with minimal configuration required.

When setting up Operator Connect through the Admin Center, you can choose the provider you would like to manage your solution.

Improve phone reliability and performance

With Operator Connect, you no longer have to rely on your current phone service which may be out of date.

Instead, Operator Connect improves your phone reliability and performance by making and receiving calls over the PSTN but also enables you to save money by keeping your current phone set up without having to invest in a new one.

Control and management

Operator Connect allows you to choose an operator to manage the solution for you. As a result, your IT team is not required to manage the solution since most management is handled by your provider.

However, since the solution is handled by the provider, you may have less control over your solution depending on the provider you’ve selected.

It is also important to identify special features that are needed to ensure that your provider can integrate their services with Operator Connect.

Cost

Operator Connect typically has a low upfront cost for the base functionality of the solution. However, the ultimate pricing for the solution depends on multiple factors including the specific provider and the selected plans.

Typically, the upfront and monthly costs are bundled into a single bill. This allows you to consolidate all expenses into one account instead of having multiple bills to pay.

Services are priced per user and offer unlimited usage for Local and Long Distance calling. International calling is typically an add-on service. 

Improved scalability

Microsoft Teams Operator Connect enables your organization to improve scalability. Since there is no hardware required and a virtual Session Border Controller is bundled into the monthly fee, it makes it easier to securely add phone lines whenever necessary.

In addition, Operator Connect is managed by the provider making it their responsibility to scale the phone solution.

Is Microsoft Teams Operator Connect a good choice for your organization?

Now you understand what Operator Connect is and its key features and functionality. However, it is also important that you understand whether Operator Connect is a good choice for your organization.

If your organization is experiencing poor phone reliability and wants to improve the overall performance and scalability of your phone system, a Microsoft Teams Operator Connect solution may be a good choice for your organization.

Additionally, if your organization is looking for a solution that is easy to set up, an Operator Connect solution may be a good choice.

Your organization may not have an internal IT team to manage your phone solution or an IT team that is focused on managing other business initiatives and projects.

In this case, an Operator Connect solution may be a good choice since it is managed by the provider so your team does not have to manage it.

Determining whether Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is a good choice for your organization

Now you understand what Operator Connect is, its features and functionality, and whether it is a good choice for your organization. This will help you determine if Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is a good solution for your organization and one that you should invest in.

No organization wants to experience poor phone performance. This will result in communication issues with customers that can lead to damaged business relationships.

Poor communication driven by poor phone performance can also lead to lost customers and revenue.

If your organization is dealing with these issues, it is important to understand what Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is so you can determine whether it is a good choice to address these issues.

Coeo understands how important reliable phone service is and has delivered thousands of phone solutions to organizations to improve phone performance and communication with customers.

We want you to understand what Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is so you can determine whether it is a good choice to improve your phone performance.

If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about Microsoft Teams Operator Connect or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.

Now that you understand what Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is and whether it is a good choice for your organization, read this article to understand the differences between Microsoft Teams Direct Routing and Operator Connect:

• Microsoft Teams Direct Routing vs Operator Connect: A Comparison