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CategoryMicrosoft Teams

SECURING YOUR SBC WITH MICROSOFT TEAMS DIRECT ROUTING EFFECTIVELY

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Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is being adopted as the most popular method to activate business telephony via Microsoft Teams. The majority of Direct Routing connections are based on Session Border Controllers (SBCs). Recent reports on SBC vulnerabilities show that SBCs are the weak link in the chain and continuous expert effort is needed to ensure risks are being handled. A secure VoIP solution is the ultimate necessity of a company to thwart the increasing VoIP attacks emerging each day. Let’s have a look at how Microsoft deals with SBC security in its Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Solution.

THE “FRIENDLY” ATTACKS DURING CONFIGURATION

An IT communications expert who was hired to deploy Microsoft Teams Direct routing , narrates his experience:

“While I was deploying Microsoft Teams Direct Routing with SIP trunks and a Session Border Controller (SBC), I happened to sense various SBC security vulnerabilities soon after I turned up the public interface. Long before the Teams configuration was complete there appeared a number of OPTIONS requests and huge SIP traffic from unknown sources. This traffic was supported by IP addresses trying to connect to my systems from around the world via malicious SIP scripting and scanning utilities. It was an alarming situation for me. Headers like “SIP Vicious”, “friendly-scanner”, and “PPLSIP”.

This scenario is not a unique one. All over the internet, attackers are in search of vulnerabilities. While SBCs are scanned in order to attempt hijack calling capabilities, admins can take this opportunity while deploying Microsoft Teams Direct Routing to configure and test the security rules provided by Direct Routing.

The best way to use Direct Routing is not using an SBC at all. By eliminating the man-in-the-middle, you automatically eliminate the man-in-the-middle threats.

MachCloud eliminates the SBC and public cloud in the Direct Routing set-up and is the only technology with a direct connection to Microsoft Team’s end-to-end encryption. Moreover, the platform provides multi-factor authentication to Microsoft’s domain, avoiding third-party access to Admin credentials. Thus any security risk related to  SBC usage is eliminated.

 

Modern Microsoft Teams tools for remote working experience

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In business, the 2020 pandemic has given rise to one thing: employees remote working setups. Indeed, there are many remote working advantages but as remote working is becoming the new norm, there is a new term being coined: The Hybrid mode.

Hybrid is a new way forward where employees are not bound to work within the walls of an office.

Physical office spaces are designed for all

The physical workspaces have to be equipped for an in-line hybrid experience.  Intelligent cameras are one way to provide a decent meeting experience when working in hybrid mode i.e. the presenters are in the office and the audiences are attending the meeting remotely.

AI-powered active speaker tracking

Intelligent Cameras are equipped with AI-powered tools where the camera is able to focus on the person speaking from within the room and also be able to zoom in.  The AI features also include gesture movement and facial recognition.

Locate and reserve flexible workspaces with Hot Desking

Hot Desking experience lets you and your coworker’s reserve flexible workspaces within the office. You can book a space from the device via the Microsoft Teams app and get hands-on personal Teams chats, calendars, meetings, and a lot more. The hot desking experience lets the users use the Teams displays as a second screen. 

Modern tools to make Hybrid meetings as effective as an in-person meeting

Teams provide a way to conduct meetings in hybrid mode as they are being carried out in person. Tools like Cameo will let you seamlessly integrate Teams Camera feed into a presentation and provide the option to customize the way you wish to present.  The Cameo feature will be rolled out in the first quarter of 2022.

Microsoft Teams makes Hybrid work easy to execute

Remote working is one thing and in-person work is another. Indeed, Hybrid work is hard where we have to merge the best of both worlds. This is where Microsoft Teams play its part. With Teams, the major hurdles of remote and hybrid working are diminished.

ALSO READ: DISCOVER NEXT-LEVEL CALLING IN MICROSOFT TEAMS FOR BUSINESS

MachCloud lets you enjoy Teams Direct Routing with for best-in-line hybrid working

MachCloud offers Microsoft Teams calling plans to help companies work in hybrid mode. With a Teams platform deployed within the organization, Employees can simply set up their smartphones with the Teams app and work remotely as well as in person when needed. Teams Direct Routing provides Integrated Microsoft management, Optimized Voice quality, easy migrations and easy scalability. 

Get in touch with a MachCloud expert and get your office equipped with Teams Direct Routing for a great hybrid experience.

Elevate business communication with Microsoft Teams Calling

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Voice for Microsoft Teams is a complete solution to take your business phone to a new level. Microsoft has introduced various components of Teams that can integrate well with your existing PBX systems too. Whether you are new to Cloud Business telephony or have an existing infrastructure in place, Microsoft has got you covered.

What are Cloud telephony benefits?

If you are on the lookout for a cloud telephony system, here are a few things that can make you decide better:

  • Do more with less

Cloud telephony is simple to handle and set up at the same time. The lack of physical hardware lets you manage things with ease.

  • Mobility

One of the biggest advantages of cloud telephony systems over traditional systems is that cloud telephony system let you enjoy mobility while traditional phone systems force you to be glued to your office desk during working hours.

  • Flexibility

Cloud telephony offers easy extension based on the number of growing employees within the organization.

Voice for Microsoft Teams: Setting Up Your Plan

Microsoft Teams provides you the many reasons to set up a Cloud telephony system. The Voice for Teams offering has got you covered, no matter how large or small the organization is. Here are a few things that you need to know before you set up the Voice for Teams offering:

  • Get Business Voice subscription

To Setup Teams, you need to have a Microsoft 365 subscription. In addition to this, if you plan to set up cloud telephony to the next level, it is best to get a Microsoft Business Voice subscription without calling a plan license. Your calling plan will be provided by MachCloud with which you can have any national or international number, get communication credits, and much more.

  • Get the right Internet connection

To set up Teams, you need to check with your Internet provider if your bandwidth plan can support Teams Voice services. So, before setting up Voice for Teams, it is best to make sure your internet connection supports Business Voice.

  • Setup Teams

Once you have the licenses and the right internet connection, you must set up Teams on users’ devices within the organization. For this, you must install Teams on employee devices like PCs and mobile phones. In addition to this, you must set up the environment for Teams like perhaps a conference room setting for audio conferencing or for users in noisy environments.

ALSO READ: EXPERIENCE DIRECT ROUTING WITH TEAMS AND PBX

MachCloud- the one-window for modern cloud telephony services

MachCloud is a modern cloud telephony provider platform that offers many services based on modern business unified communication requirements. There are easy migration options from PBX to Teams Direct routing, easy connection options of PBX and SIP Trunking, better license management of Microsoft office 365 and a complete self-service portal for easy setup and management.

Get your organization ready for next-level communication to cater to modern communication challenges with MachCloud.

Have you done your Skype for Business migration to Teams?

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Skype for Business to Teams migration is now more essential than ever due to the fact that Skype for Business is no more available. Microsoft had announced the dates fairly early before they planned to make the move. If you haven’t been into the migration process yet, it’s high time you should bring the change into your company for a persistent cloud telephony experience with Teams

How to Ensure the Best Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams Migration?

Skype for Business into Teams migration is not a one step process. It requires planning and creating backups before you kick start the migration process. It is important to go through a couple of activities like enlist the project stakeholders within your organization and from the outer world, define the scope of your project, understand the concept of coexisting in both Skype for business and Teams. Once these activities are defined, Next step is to choose which upgrade journey you will opt for and prepare the environment for it. 

It is always essential to train the employees or at least inform them beforehand related to the expected change in the cloud business telephony system. A short training session before the deployment of the actual system is beneficial too. So, you need to prepare your organization for the change.

How to upgrade users in Skype for Business to Teams migration?

There are two modes of upgrade: upgrade all users to Teams at once, upgrade users in stages.

Upgrade all users to Teams at once

As mentioned above, the employees need to be notified. In the Teams admin center, Org-wide settings > Teams upgrade, you can find the Coexistence mode. Change the mode to Notify Skype for Business users that an upgrade to Teams is available by switching it to On. In the same mode, you can set the coexistence mode to Teams Only from the drop down list.

ALSO READ: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR EFFECTIVE MICROSOFT TEAMS MIGRATION

Upgrade users in stages

In this method, all users are not upgraded to Teams only mode all at once. Rather, they have to be upgraded in waves. So, initially, it is important to inform the first wave employees that they’ll be affected and Set the mode on Teams Only for them, secondly, you need to define the users that will be affected in second wave employees and so on.

A user once having Skype for Business Online mode upgraded to Teams can still continue to use the options for calling to landlines. 

MachCloud makes the Skype for business to Teams Migration journey easy

MachCloud offers a wide variety of cloud business telephony options. Its module for Skype to Business migration is all you need for a hassle-free migration to Teams. The experts are here to guide you with all the necessary details from planning to the actual migration.

Get your hands on MachCloud for a smooth Teams Calling and Migration experience.

All you Need to Know for effective Microsoft Teams Migration

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Many users plan their migration from Skype to Teams. If you haven’t marked your calendars already, 31st July is the date when Skype for Business is officially retiring.

Migrating data and contacts to the new environment, Microsoft Teams, is a sensitive task. You need to be equipped with all the knowledge for Microsoft Teams migrations and deployment. A Microsoft Teams implementation checklist comes in handy while you are planning to migrate.

Why should I migrate to Teams anyway?

Microsoft Teams extends the capabilities offered by Skype for Business. So, with Microsoft Teams, you are all set to experience file storage, video meetings, chat, voice calling, app integrations and much more under a unified platform. Here are the top 5 things you need to know before you migrate to Teams.

  • MachCloud Operation Teams assistance on Onboarding and Deployment Phases

The operations team is available for any assistance 24×7 to support your needs. The migration must be done in phases and at any point, if you need assistance, MachCloud operations Team is ready to the rescue!

  • Know the size and location of your Team

Microsoft Teams migration largely depends on the size of the company. Size and geographical locations are important topics, especially if you have geographical separated organizations and employees in different timezones

  • Get a solution to Streamline Enterprise Team Operations

Use MachCloud professional team to get down to the nitty-gritty, they will come up with a plan that is best for your organization’s Skype to Microsoft Teams Migration. 

  • Know how to measure the effectiveness

In order to avail the maximum potential from Teams, you must know how effective it is in the organization. Tools like Teams Admin Center, Power BI templates and Call Quality Dashboard are there to help improve operations.

  • Forecast the costs

Teams Migrations require costs both from external and internal. However, In the long run, Teams will help save money for the entire business communication infrastructure. The internal efforts will be the costs of paramount importance and should definitely be on your Microsoft Teams implementation checklist. Another cost is a Microsoft 365 license depending upon the size of the company.

RELATED: SKYPE FOR BUSINESS ONLINE RETIRES | MICROSOFT TEAMS IS THE NEW NORM

MachCloud offers best-in-line Skype to Teams Migration Services

MachCloud is an all-in-one unified business communication platform and provides Professional Services. It streamlines Teams migrations with its Skype to Teams migration services. From pre-migration check to on-boarding, MachCloud experts provide assistance on every phase of Teams Migration. The entire process is smooth and streamlined based on fixed-price project offering.

So, head up your organization’s entire business communication with the most modern tools with MachCloud. 

Skype for Business Online Retires | Microsoft Teams is the new norm

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If you haven’t noticed already, Skype for Business Online is retiring this month.

Businesses that took interest in Skype for Business Online and unified business communications services are well aware of the fact that Microsoft announced this retirement two years ago. The new platform is Microsoft Teams which is equipped with much more. Since the announcement took place, a large number of training and workshops have been conducted by Microsoft and other providers on how to do the migrations and how to tackle the transition phase from Skype for Business Online to Teams.

For those of you who haven’t yet decided to make the shift, it is high time you should decide it once and for all. MachCloud is offering Assisted upgrades to Teams with its Microsoft-assisted Upgrades to Teams Program. It will begin from August 2021 and will be beneficial to those organizations that haven’t yet made the transition. They will then be able to use Skype for Business Online for a smooth Unified business communication experience until their upgrade is done.

MachCloud-assisted Upgrades to Teams

The organizations opting for this upgrade will be provided the assistance based on the type of skype for business online program they are using. The duration of the program will depend upon the volume of users and the nature of the initial deployment. They are based on two categories:

  • Skype for Business Online-only: For these kinds of users, they’ll be placed in Teams Only mode. The program will apply a TeamsUpgradeOverridePolicy to the entire tenant.
  • Skype for Business Online users in the hybrid environment: These users will also be switched to Teams only mode if they aren’t already.

What would be included in the Migrations?

In order to carry out the migrations, you need to consider many technical aspects. To be sure to migrate in a proactive approach to avoid any data loss during migrations, it is advised to perform a Pre-migration check. MachCloud performs such a Pre-migration check which results in a project plan for seamless migration while ensuring a fully transparent migration with fixed price execution and planning.

ALSO READ: WORK FROM HOME SIMPLIFIED WITH MICROSOFT TEAMS AND MACHCLOUD

Final Thoughts on Teams Migrations

It’s important to note that services that were a part of Skype for Business Online will not be supported once it retires. Following is a list of such services:

  • Skype for Business Online Cloud Connector Edition (CCE) 
  • Third-party audio conferencing providers (ACP) 
  • Hybrid voice configurations
  • Skype Meeting Broadcast

MachCloud – The one window for your unified business communications needs

MachCloud is a Unified business communication platform and offers Voice for Teams where your customers can experience Secure encrypted inbound and outbound calling. The platform is equipped with a fully automated self-service portal to make the business communication operations hassle-free. 

Planning to migrate your projects from Skype to Microsoft Teams? Let our experts help with the Smooth Teams migration experience with 24×7 support!

Work from home simplified with Microsoft Teams and MachCloud

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Work From Home has been a norm in the IT industry for a couple of years. After the advent of COVID-19 this year, a lot of companies that never had remote working policies had to make their employees work from home. Microsoft Teams is equipped with features that enable employees to work remotely and still stay in line with the happenings through the Modern Workplace.

What are Microsoft Teams features that facilitate remote work?

  • Conversation channels

Conversation channels make it easier to stay on topic and keep the conversation focused on one particular topic. You can have the same people within different conversation channels and thus stay relevant to the topic.

  • Reduced mailbox clutter

With communications channels in place, there is less need to communicate on e-mails thus reducing regular email clutter that may arise due to remote working.

  • Cross-platform service

While you are at home, you might not be able to get hands-on a range of devices. Here the Microsoft Teams feature of being cross-platform comes in handy. With this, you can work on Teams with the devices you own at home.

  • Increased Security

With remote employees, the biggest threat to a company is about the exploitation of communication channels. Microsoft Teams is end-to-end encrypted, thus it holds minimum chances of hacktivists attacking or exploiting any Teams related vulnerabilities.

Here are the top 5 tips for effective remote work

  • Stay updated: To be able to work efficiently from home, it is best to know the changing trend and also the changes in the origination.
  • Be responsive: Work from home is all about staying prompt. As a remote employee, you must know the right communication tools to opt for, to be able to become more responsive.
  • Invest in better broadband connection services: the Internet has become the backbone of communication. To secure your remote job, make sure the internet is stable 24/7.
  • Set your hours: IT is important to know the right time to work. This will make it easier for your co-workers to approach you when you are available.
  • Use the Teams feature “background blur”: while being at home if you have to attend video conferences, it is best to use Teams blur background feature for a professional look.

ALSO READ: TECHNOLOGY MUST HAVES FOR ‘WORK FROM HOME’ SCENARIO

MachCloud – the distinct platform offering tailored solution for Microsoft Teams

MachCloud caters to the growing need for communication in the IT domain. Since “Communication is the key”, it can be perceived that miscommunication can lead to many work-related problems. MachCloud provides Solutions for Microsoft Teams, PBX Integration with Microsoft Teams and many others.

It takes only a single second of a call drop to lose your next customer. Invest in MachCloud and never lose your customers to your competitors.

Lessons from the Microsoft Teams security breach

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Security has become a top concern of companies in this era. Microsoft Teams security promises next-level security methods being deployed for more reliable communication across enterprises. Microsoft Teams security is equipped with the latest security methods like two-factor authentication and end to end encryption and is best suited nowadays. However, the need for security is still persistent after claims from Tech Giants given the recent Teams cyber-attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bigger picture

Since a huge number of users shifted to Microsoft Teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, much collaboration software including Teams experienced security breaches. It was reported in recent news. Around 15,000 to 50,000 employees were victims of this attack the attackers used Impersonation emails for Microsoft 365. These were convincing emails that looked exactly like notification emails from Microsoft Teams. The URLs redirected the users to landing pages that looked similar to Microsoft Teams web pages. One of the sender email id originated from the “sharepointonline-irs.com” domain which is neither related to IRS nor Microsoft SharePoint Online.

What was the payload of the Attacks?

The original URL that hosted the attacks was concealed under many different URLs. This made it easier to bypass malicious link detection. The links redirected the employees towards a Microsoft login phishing credentials site. Here, the username and passwords of the employees were obtained by the hacktivists, thus exposing thousands of mailboxes.

The effectiveness of Attacks was inevitable

As Cybersecurity solutions and experts suggest, it is always necessary to check where you are entering the credentials. But the attack became successful because it was very well planned and there had been a number of passive attacks before to gather enough knowledge by the hacktivists in order to carry out the active Microsoft Teams attack with success. The thing which supported the hacktivists was the timing of such an attack: during COVID-19, most people were working from home and became used to frequent Teams notifications.

5 Tips for a secure online presence

Given the increase in the number of cyber-attacks these days including the Microsoft Teams security breach incident, it is always important to make your online presence safe. Cybersecurity experts suggest these 5 tips that can keep your online identity secured and minimize risks of a security breach:

  • Prefer Private Browsing

A custom private web browser hides the traces of your online presence and makes it almost impossible to track your activity.

  • Use strong passwords

Cybersecurity experts recommend the use of strong passwords. It is because the sophisticated Brute Force attack makes password guessing an easier game these days.

  •  Limit social media sharing

The more you are active with your activities on social media, the more are you vulnerable to passive cyber-attacks where the hacktivists keep an eye on your activity to gather information needed for an actual attack.

  • Deactivate and terminate old accounts

Old accounts are hacktivists’ best friends. If you happen to own one but do not use it, it’s time to terminate it.

MachCloud – The secure and reliable digital business communication platform

MachCloud is a one-window for all your business communication and cloud hosting needs. It provides solutions like Cloud PBX, SIP Trunking, Microsoft Teams, Cloud provisioning, Microsoft 365 services, and all the many cloud automation and communication services you need for best inline cloud provisioning. MachCloud offers a secure setup with reliability and by following the CIA Trade (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability).

Get your business aligned with the latest and secure tools from MachCloud for better productivity.

DID YOU FIND THIS ARTICLE INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “4 TIPS TO BEEF UP MICROSOFT TEAMS SECURITY“? 

4 Tips to beef up Microsoft Teams Security

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It is important to know Microsoft Teams Security measures before opting for business communication.  Since Microsoft Teams has emerged as a powerful tool for collaboration and increase in productivity, it has become ever more important to take its Security considerations into account. With Main features like Chat, Teams, Calendar and Calls, Microsoft Teams app can be vulnerable from various aspects including cloud storage.

Concerns with Microsoft Teams security

Microsoft Teams is a cross-functional application and thus, there are a few concerns of Microsoft Teams application like:

  • Guest Access exposure: Microsoft Teams provide an option to login as guest, allowing parties outside of Microsoft Teams to participate in a Team channel’s activities.
  • Permissions Model: This model allows users to organize and collaborate in a collaborative environment and make data sharing easier.
  • App Management Concerns: Apps can be added to Team channels from external sources.
  • Data breach concern: Information sharing is easier and that’s precisely why confidential information or data from cloud storage can get leaked accidently.

Tips to improve Microsoft Teams Security

  • Focus on app-management

With Team, you can have your hands on three types of apps including Apps provided by Microsoft, built by third parties or your custom-built internal apps. For extra security, it is best to restrict the use of third-party apps. This can be done via the Teams admin center > Manage Apps page.

  • Have a Global Teams Management setup

It is best to specify organization based preferences that are spread throughout the scope of the organization. It’s good to keep control over external communication and external file sharing. In addition to that, in order to access meeting content, the users must be again authenticated to make sure the internal matters do not fall into wrong hands.

  • Secure your Guest Access

Guest Access should be limited to the most extent during business communication in Microsoft Teams. In ideal case you must disable any guest login, however, if it is absolutely necessary, you can disable options like screen sharing or peer-to-peer calls or accessing cloud storage.

  • Focus on information Protection

Information protection should be focused and you must always stick to a pre-decided Information protection Architecture. This prevents maximum data leaks. To keep data trackable, protected, and compliant you can get hold of eDiscovery and legal hold. Advanced Threat Protection is also a good feature for increased protection and Microsoft Teams Security.

ALSO READ: MICROSOFT TEAMS INTEGRATION WITH BUSINESS PHONE: WHAT TO EXPECT?

MachCloud – the secure and reliable Digital communication Platform

MachCloud is a reliable and secure digital communication platform that has made its mark in the business communication sector in a short span of time. With its top-notch backend infrastructure and solutions like MachCloud PBX Integration with Microsoft Teams and MachCloud Calling Plans for Microsoft Teams, the platform provides smooth operation of its services to businesses of all kinds.

Get onboard MachCloud digital communication platform and experience a reliable Microsoft Teams experience for your business with promising Microsoft Teams Security.

New Voice Devices for a rich Microsoft Teams experience

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Many eyebrows were raised when the announcement of Skype for Business End of Life was made last year from Microsoft, that too, in favor of a new M365 system: Microsoft Teams. Not only Teams is native to Microsoft 365, but is also an “integrated” system that provides the business a modern communication solution; a full-fledged Microsoft Teams phone system.

Not only Microsoft offers a business-oriented telephony system but it also fosters better communication with its certified Microsoft Teams desk phones like Yealink VP59 and other Voice and Display devices. Recently, Microsoft announced some advancement in its Teams functionalities including an introduction of SIP Phones!

The need for Teams Voice Devices

With the rapid adoption of Microsoft Teams, especially after the pandemic, organizations are finding ways to collaborate with video and audio-conferencing capabilities. Teams Voice and Display Devices are used to cater to the growing business collaboration need as companies make the shift to a hybrid mode of work. Apart from typical desk phones like Yealink VP59, Microsoft is introducing the capability of fully integrated Teams SIP based Phones for a rich Microsoft Teams phone system experience. These phones are expected to have basic Phone capabilities while working with Microsoft Teams. Basic features include ring, dial, and answer functionality. They can, however, not feature the more advanced Teams functionalities

A look into existing Skype for Business 3rd Party IP (3PIP) phones

The Skype for Business 3PIP phones work with specific firmware and can get on with Microsoft Teams via a specific “cloud gateway”.

Microsoft also made another interesting announcement in the same blog regarding Skype for Business 3PIP phones. The timeline for Skype for Business 3PIP IP Phones, which haven’t migrated to Teams yet, has been extended beyond the previously set date i.e. July 31st, 2023.

These phones have firmware options for standard SIP as well.

RELATED: MICROSOFT TEAMS INTEGRATION WITH BUSINESS PHONE: WHAT TO EXPECT?

MachCloud- A Reliable Telephony Solution Provider

MachCloud stands out from the other Telephony providers with its unique set of services in the most pocket-friendly rates. The high-rated back-end infrastructure is what makes MachCloud telephony services robust. Offering services like Cloud PBX, SIP Trunking, VoIP, and Microsoft Teams, MachCloud has got many solutions for reliable service delivery.

With MachCloud, you get smooth business-critical solutions in a matter of hours. These solutions can take your business communication to the next level. Born-in-the-cloud MachCloud platform lets you enjoy your company work from anywhere. We offer instant delivery, easy management, simple and centralized services for your day to day business communication.

Whether it is Teams or Migration or any other Microsoft 365 offering like Exchange, SharePoint, Azure, OneDrive, our teams are ready for the rescue. Out experts value your existing systems and take full responsibility to successfully perform the deployment and migrations. With MachCloud, you are free to grow your channels.

Get started with MachCloud for a smooth Microsoft Teams experience for your business.

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