The purpose-built solution provides native PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams through the Operator Connect program. The new solution adds an Operator Connect option runs off 8x8’s Global Reach network to provide reliable calling, streamlined deployment and simplified management to increase admin efficiency for Microsoft Teams Phone customers.
"There is a huge market opportunity for partners to extend the value of the Microsoft Teams platform through telephony enablement and CX services, such as contact centre," said Patrick Watson, head of research at Cavell Group. "The launch of Operator Connect provides customers with greater flexibility and opportunities to augment their investment in the platform."
Keys benefits of 8x8 Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams include:
• Reliability, security and support - Direct peering through Microsoft Azure meets program architecture, security and network requirements for reliability together with a streamlined support model and shared Service Level Agreements with Microsoft for Operator Connect services.
• A complete portfolio - Flexible calling plans and a Teams-certified contact centre with free on net calling to meet each organisation’s specific telephony and customer engagement requirements.
• Familiar Teams phone experience - The ability to make and receive calls through the Teams app, minimising training requirements and accelerating onboarding.
• Increased admin efficiency - Admins can intuitively provision numbers and manage users from the Microsoft Teams admin centre to improve deployment time.
8x8 Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams will launch with flexible calling plans, and will support local presence in 20 countries, including the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.
"As a technology provider, it’s important to know what our customers need from their software solutions, especially as organisations consolidate their tech stack to allow them to fully customise and streamline their workflows for business success," said Hunter Middleton, chief product officer at 8x8. "We have introduced 8x8 Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams to provide customers with 8x8's reliable network by adding PSTN calling directly in Microsoft Teams, to improve productivity and efficiency for organisations."
"We continue to work with partners to offer Microsoft Teams Phone customers flexibility to enable PSTN services and customer engagement capabilities in Teams," said Taimoor Husain, modern workplace, GTM strategy lead for operators at Microsoft. "8x8 is now the first Operator Connect partner to offer a contact centre solution certified to integrate with Teams and we are pleased to work with them to offer customers choice in PSTN connectivity options."