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CategoryMicrosoft Teams

Microsoft for healthcare features empowers healthcare providers via Teams

In Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams
May 18, 2020
3 Min Read
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Microsoft for healthcare has gained popularity ever since the coronavirus pandemic has taken the rise. Microsoft Teams has benefitted business, academic industry, and other domains while organizations had to impose a work from home policy. On top of that, Microsoft Teams health has benefitted the healthcare industry with its novel solutions for collaborating amongst the healthcare providers.

New capabilities in Microsoft 365 empower healthcare professionals

As the number of confirmed cases increase in the coronavirus dashboard, experts from Microsoft sensed a few needs for better healthcare collaboration amongst the providers and thus has rolled in new capabilities to empower healthcare organizations amidst COVID-19 pandemic with Microsoft Teams health care solutions. Features like very urgent messaging, visit scheduling, contacting the on-shift clinician and other new features are part of Microsoft for healthcare and directly address core challenges that the healthcare providers are facing these days with messaging and health systems.

Empowering the frontline workers and the healthcare sector

To stay informed about the availability of beds and supplies that are running out like masks or ventilators, the experts at Microsoft has created a Healthcare Emergency Response Resource Tracking system. The Microsoft Teams health Emergency Resource Tracking Solution can now be used to manage emergency responses and frontline workers can collect the information via their devices especially with coronavirus dashboard. Then the healthcare leads can take quick decisions in real-time on where to divert the upcoming patients due to scare resources.

The messaging features allow care teams to securely coordinate patient care

Microsoft Teams health solutions include new messaging features including the following capabilities:

  • Secure communication: Teams is end-to-end encrypted and deploys the latest methods of security
  • Priority notifications: This alerts the recipient unless a response is received. The messages are sent every two minutes up to 20 minutes.
  • Message delegation: This allows receipt to delegate messages to another contact, while the original recipient is busy in surgery or unavailable.

Also read: Tips to keep communication services up during covid-19

Enhancements added to healthcare data interoperability

With the growing needs of data handling and digitizing patient data, one of the top priories is the interoperability of data. Microsoft this introduced emerging standards like FHIR in Microsoft for healthcare, to cater for this challenge. Microsoft Team’s health solutions include providing a hub to access digital health records of patients.

MachCloud – The all-in-one platform for collaboration according to modem day collab needs

MachCloud is a robust communication services provisioning platform that empowers businesses with all the tools needed for a modern-day collaboration experience. MachCloud offers MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams®, the Microsoft Teams oriented Calling solution with additional solutions like MachCloud, Calling in Teams, and Direct Routing via Microsoft Teams. With a variety of pricing and plans, MachCloud has got one for every type of business.

Head to MachCloud to experience modern-day collaboration with the latest tools and security.

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Tips to keep communication services up during COVID-19

In Business Communication, Microsoft Teams
April 29, 2020
3 Min Read
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During the COVID-19 pandemic crises these days, the communication services are playing an active role in bringing together employees and continuing the flow of business. Workers have now found creative ways to use Microsoft Teams to keep the employee engagement intact, because after all, working from home isn’t easy for those who aren’t used to it. To keep the work spirit alive, IT pros at MachCloud have shown many lucrative benefits that clears customer concerns on why use Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Team’s commitment to customers

MachCloud is committed to serve its customers with best possible options during the high demand of collaboration amidst work from home requirements this lockdown season. The rich communication platform offers various solutions like Microsoft Teams Direct Routing solution for its customers. Teams is available for Individuals as well as for IT professionals. Individuals are befitting from Teams for e-learning and education based online activities these days. IT pros are dependent on Teams for a secured business communication since Microsoft provides its Direct Routing services in their own systems equipped with best in line security standards. Microsoft has shown commitment to its customers by providing Teams collaboration features for IT business and other business domains.

5 creative ways to use Microsoft Teams

Amidst the pandemic situation, IT pros have found creative ways to use Microsoft Teams. Here is a compilation of 5 best ways how MS Teams can be used as an effective tool for communication services:

  1. Keep communication frequent: For the Team leads, Greet everyone every day. Or at least every other day. It makes the employees stay in the loop.
  2. Share Teams Tips: Provide guidance to employees on daily basis to work on communication tools faster like “Get work done fast with slash commands”
  3. Personalize the tools: Get a personalized view to feel comfortable with the interface.
  4. Title each chat: Since there must be many chats going on simultaneously, it is always a good idea to Title each chat.
  5. Structure to your conversations: plus, bookmark the important bits so you don’t have to follow the entire conversation each time.

MachCloud – One Stop Solution to cater for modern business collaboration needs

MachCloud offers various solutions for collaboration and a variety of communication services all in one place. With pocket-friendly calling plans, MachCloud caters for digital business communication needs with its solutions like MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams® and MachCloud®. With MachCloud, you can stay in control of the communication platform and bring more bangs for your bucks to your business.

Did you find this article interesting? why not read: “Unleash the power of Microsoft Teams with an existing PBX Telephone System“?

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Session Border Controller (SBC) Security Threats for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing

In Direct Routing, Microsoft Teams, PSTN
April 20, 2020
2 Min Read
S
Teams Direct Routing

Redundancy

A SBC forms a Single Point of Failure (SPOF). Unless a redundant SBC is deployed it will lead to reduced availability.

Multi-Tenancy

A SBC is designed to provide functions for a single tenant (company). Even if the SBC is virtualized, every SBC instance has its own customer data that needs to be managed with every modification.

Controlled Media Path

The connection via the SBC increases the transmission path and delay. If a SBC is hosted in a public cloud, there is no quality guarantee of media traffic.

Full Control and Management

A SBC is a separate network element that has its own management environment. Automation of real-time orders can therefore be a real challenge.

Security

There are security threats especially when a SBC is managed by a third party.

Delay in Handling Porting Orders

In the Netherlands, number porting is carried out real-time and on-demand within 15 minutes. If a number porting order is implemented for the retention of a telephone number, 3 domains must be managed separately. The number porting will have to be done manually in different domains, such as the SBC. This leads to increased downtime for a customer.

Coherent Telecom Settings

Country specific telecom settings, such as filtering, CLIP / CLIR, number normalization, over-usage management and forwards are influenced by the SBC, which may result in deviations in the telecom functions between Microsoft platform and legacy telecom domains.

Customer Self Service

Migration to Microsoft Teams requires frequent adjustments to settings, numbers and reports. Because the control of the SBC cannot be fully automated, it will be a real challenge to offer customers self-service.

Third Party Equipment

Because the SBC is a third-party network element, additional tests and maintenance will have to be scheduled for adjustments and upgrades.

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Unleash the power of Microsoft Teams with an existing PBX telephone system

In Microsoft Teams
March 9, 2020
4 Min Read
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Microsoft Teams is the next generation of collaboration tools for the modern workplace. When migrating to Microsoft Teams you do not want to sacrifice important PBX features. Until MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams, integrated support in Microsoft Teams for an existing PBX was not available such as retaining your existing phone number and dial by extension.

Introducing MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams, a fully automated service for calling in Microsoft Teams, while maintaining your existing PBX. MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams works in minutes without PBX migration or phone number porting.

MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams benefits

You should consider all Microsoft Teams limitations before migrating. There is no coexistence between Microsoft Teams and third party PBX. The only option you have is to fully migrate and accepting all limitations, or simply continue to use two separated platforms. The biggest advantage of MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams is that you can maintain your existing PBX and don’t have to compromise on functionality. You can continue to use your existing number plan with dial by extension. MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams also integrated fixed and mobile devices, allowing the caller to dial out using the company main phone number directly from the Microsoft Teams smartphone app. Another great feature is that when a Microsoft Teams user is unavailable the call can be forwarded to any group, extension or to the receptionist.

How does it work?

Microsoft Teams user is linked to an existing PBX extension for example 201. The username, password, and extension (201) of the user is entered in the self-service web portal. MachCloud’s geo-redundant platform ensures that the fixed device at the workplace is replaced by the Microsoft Teams user smartphone.

Teams Voice PBX Integrations - MachCloud

It is not required to migrate all PBX users simultaneously to Microsoft Teams. Users who are not ready simply continue to use the PBX system as before. Important to know is that MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams does not make any changes to the PBX configuration, SIP trunk or external telephone numbers.

Call function comparison of Microsoft Teams and MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams built-in PBX functions are limited and by far the most important reason why companies do not consider migrating. A short comparison:

Features and options

Microsoft Teams

MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams

Advanced PBX functions such as multi-level hunt groups

Not available

Available

Easy sign-in sign-out for hunt groups  

Not available

Available

Use of a single telephone number block

Not available

Available

Back-up routing, in case Microsoft Teams users are unavailable

Not available

Available

Easy migration without number porting or replacing SIP trunks

Not available

Available

Keep existing call routing plan and extensions in place

Not available

Available

Flexible number presentation when making calls

Not available

Available

What licenses are required?

To start using MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams the following Microsoft licenses are required:

Direct Routing connection

 MachCloud Direct Routing Connector, you can choose any Microsoft license:

For instance: Microsoft Office 365 E1, Microsoft Business Basic, etc.

Microsoft Teams User

MachCloud User license for Microsoft Teams. You can choose out of these Microsoft licenses:

  • Office 365 E1  + Phone System
  • Office 365 E3  + Phone System
  • Office 365 E5  (Phone System included)
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic + Business Voice (without calling plan)
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard + Business Voice (without calling plan)
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium + Business Voice (without calling plan)
  • Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3 + Business Voice (without calling plan)
  • Microsoft 365 Enterprise E5  (Business Voice included)

What does it cost?

  • MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams licensing cost is calculated per user per month. Contact your service provider or MachCloud for more information and pricing.
  • Direct Routing between Microsoft tenant and MachCloud requires one Microsoft user license (take any license you want) and one MachCloud Direct Routing Connector license.
  • The connection between Microsoft Teams User and MachCloud Telephony network requires one MachCloud User license for Microsoft Teams.
  • Microsoft requires each Teams user to have a Phone System addon (Office 365) license or Business Voice addon (Microsoft 365) license.
  • MachCloud partner will be responsible for charging the end-user (customer). A detailed report of existing accounts will be available in the self-service web portal.
  • The existing calling plan and PBX remain unchanged. MachCloud calling plan or cloud PBX is optional and not included.
  • Prices do not include sales tax (vat) where applicable.

What are the prerequisites?

  • Extension numbers can be 2, 3, 4 or 5 digits long, with the exception of 100-199.
  • The Microsoft Teams user can only make and receive calls. All other functions are provided by the existing PBX system.
  • After successfully registering and purchasing MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams licenses you will have access to the self-service web portal for configuring Microsoft Teams call settings.
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Securing your SBC Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Effectively

In Microsoft Teams
March 3, 2020
3 Min Read
S

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is being opted as the most recent business collaboration solution in the realm of digital communication. IT experts who deploy Direct Routing are aware of SBC security issues that arise as soon as they deploy the solution in place. 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 in a cloud business, 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. There are two ways to secure your system: by configuring firewall and using Malicious Signatures feature.

ALSO READ: 
Teams Direct Routing solutions to boost your business productivity

A properly configured Firewall, is your best friend forever

There are options to configure a Firewall for better security. All you have to do is configure the rules properly in the following manner:

  1. Exclude the LAN interface from Firewall list
  2. Allow external DNS lookups
  3. Allow Teams traffic
  4. Allow Signaling and RTP traffic
  5. In the final step, configure using: Block All others option.

Once these configurations are in place, you will no longer see or experience any malicious attempts. In fact, you will be able to see the number of attempts being blocked/dropped is increasing.

The Malicious Signatures feature for better security

A Malicious Signatures feature blocks all the attempts coming from malicious signatures and only allows the attempts from legitimate signatures. To make use of this feature, the admin has to configure a message policy. After this he has to malicious signatures database. Using this message policy, you can drop malicious SIP messages and set well defined limits. This policy can be assigned to the concerned SIP trunk.

ALSO READ: 
Insight to employee experience with Microsoft teams and MachCloud

MachCloud Direct Routing powered by Microsoft Teams

MachCloud is a robust digital communication platform offering Teams Direct Routing, Cloud PBX, SIP Trunking and a multitude of business communications solutions like MachCloud and MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams. Resellers have a chance to boost up their revenue streams with MachCloud’s Office 365 reselling. With MachCloud’s direct routing, you can experience the true essence of enterprise calling with a variety of features like staying in control of your calls, memos and many other services both for both local and international clients. It is an all-in-one telephony platform for modern day business collaboration needs.

Get your hands-on Microsoft Teams Direct Routing via MachCloud and experience the top-notch business collaboration solution for better business productivity.

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Seven benefits of integrating fixed and mobile telephony with Microsoft Teams

In Microsoft Teams
February 19, 2020
3 Min Read
S
Mobile telephony with Microsoft Teams Integration

Fixed Mobile Conversion

In order not to be tied to a fixed workplace, companies are increasingly opting for mobile telephony and are therefore replacing fixed telephony. This improves the call pick up rate and employees can work at any location. Business communication is mainly handled via the mobile device of employees, unless a fixed device is needed for the reception or contact center. The technical solution can consist of the use of an app on the mobile device that takes care of the calling-out displaying the company’s fixed-line telephone number. Or a special SIM is used that redirects traffic through the company’s telephone exchange.

Key benefits

For many companies it is important that a fixed business phone number is used for business calls while the private mobile number can continue to be used by employees for private calls and WhatsApp. In addition, it is important to be able to see whether someone is busy on a mobile device and to have all the functionalities of fixed telephony available on the mobile device.

Fixed Mobile conversion with Microsoft Teams

With the introduction of calling in Microsoft Teams, a new and interesting variant for Mobile Conversion develops. Microsoft Teams uses a mobile app where the telephony traffic is transported via WiFi or 4G. Calls to a fixed business number can be picked up directly on the mobile handset and calls can be made with only the fixed business phone number visible to the person being called. Incoming calls are visible on both the mobile phone, the workplace (Teams app or Teams phone).

Why is the Microsoft Teams variant interesting for a Mobile Conversion scenario?

  1. The call pick up rate of employees is improved because people can always be reached by mobile and can be diverted to a central post when not answering;
  2. The Microsoft Teams app needs less battery charge of the mobile device compared to other call apps;
  3. The app functions well both inside with Wi-Fi and outside with 4G;
  4. The app uses both the device’s address book and the address book within Teams;
  5. It is not necessary to replace SIMs or port mobile numbers;
  6. The private mobile number is retained and for business use only a 4G or Wifi connection is required. It is not necessary to have a separate business SIM;
  7. Fixed telephony becomes part of Microsoft Teams so that there is one environment for communication and collaboration.

ALSO READ

An insight to employee experience with Microsoft Teams and MachCloud

How does MachCloud help with this?

Additional functions are required to fully benefit from Digital Communications feature on mobile devices. Microsoft Teams sends the direct personal number for outgoing calls. That is not always required. MachCloud ensures that the number of your choice is sent as CLI on an outgoing call, such as the main number of the company. In addition, MachCloud can ensure integration with the existing telephone exchange functionality to, for example, set call routes within and outside office hours. A single voicemail box is also provided. Microsoft Teams users can become part of a call group, which also includes employees with a contact center workplace, for example. And all this without the need to replace SIMs or change mobile contracts.

MachCloud is the specialist for business corporate communication systems where a (Cloud) PBX is integrated with Microsoft Teams. Do you need advice? Contact us via www.machcloud.com or +31 88 622 4000.

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An insight to employee experience with Microsoft Teams and MachCloud

In Microsoft Teams
February 4, 2020
2 Min Read
A

Teams direct routing

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing has transformed how employees carry out their daily work communicating and has given a new meaning to collaborative workplace. Microsoft Teams is a single app that is a hub for teamwork in the modern business space. Teams have redefined productivity and collaboration.

There is a rule of thumb: The Better communication channels and collaboration opportunities you give to your employees, the better position they will be in to perform and increase their productivity. Employees not only interact with each other, but also interact with apps to measure work progress and get key insights towards their tasks.

Increased collaboration with Teams Direct Routing

Microsoft has provided a great way to seamlessly work between communication solution, like Teams, and productivity software like other Office 365 tools. In this way, the employees can seamlessly switch between apps they are working on and collaboration tools.

With Direct Routing, it is a new ball game. Employees can conduct calls to their colleagues situated at different geographical locations. In this way, they can leverage the benefits of a cloud-based communication platform in a cost-effective manner.

Teams Direct Routing and Teams online provide the employees to work from anywhere. In this way, they get the freedom of being away from office, yet being at work at the same time. Teams Direct Routing Calling Plans are all what you need for a modern-day collaborative workplace implementation. You can add PSTN through Microsoft Teams to your Existing Cloud Voice PBX. This provides interoperability between third-party providers (like your PBX) and Teams.

ALSO READ Microsoft Teams Direct Routing: Where to start?

Microsoft Teams Direct Routing with MachCloud

MachCloud Direct Routing for Teams augments Microsoft Teams Direct Routing with added feature set. With MachCloud, you do not need on-premise equipment for the cloud voice operations. This reduces costs and increases speed while you provide support to your customers and partners. Providing a secured environment, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is all what you need to make best use of Teams online solution for business.

Get MachCloud and discover how increases employee collaboration can improve overall business productivity.

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7 thoughts on Microsoft Teams Portal adoption with existing (Cloud) PBX

In Business Communication, Cloud PBX, Digital Communications, Microsoft Teams, PSTN
January 31, 2020
3 Min Read
7

In the coming years, traditional telecommunication solutions will be replaced by digital business communication systems such as the telephone service from Microsoft Teams. Organizations are faced with the choice to replace the entire telecom service or to maintain a Cloud PBX next to Microsoft Teams. Despite the advantages of telephony in Microsoft Teams, organizations will often keep the existing Cloud PBX.

Here are a few things you must be aware of while considering moving to a modern digital business communication platform.

1. Change of work process

When migrating digital business communication systems, it is not the technical challenges that require most attention. In order for the implementation to succeed, attention must be paid to changes in the use of communication systems and the associated work processes. Some people will adopt the new system in a short period, but others require more time. During a certain period, the existing Cloud PBX and Microsoft Teams will have to function side by side.

2. Maintenance of functions through Microsoft Teams Portal

In some organizations, special functions of a Cloud PBX cannot be directly replaced by calling in Microsoft Teams. Examples of this are: Call Center functions, Wall board, special routing, functions for a reception post and connections with CRM packages.

ALSO READ Microsoft Teams Direct Routing: Where to start?

3. Device retention

At present, the purchase price of devices that are suitable for calling with Microsoft Teams is still high. Some functions of existing telephone devices cannot be replaced. It may therefore be necessary to continue to use existing devices in combination with a Cloud PBX.

4. Telephone number management

When migrating to a new digital business communication system, it can be useful to migrate telephone numbers that are in a telephone number block, one by one. MachCloud has a Web portal that allows  telephone number block management in real time and transfer of numbers to Microsoft Teams. For this it is not necessary to port numbers. This has the advantage that if something goes wrong, numbers can immediately be returned to the existing system.

5. Redundancy

If telephony is business critical, it may be necessary to  have redundancy implemented when opting for a digital business communication solution. You can get that implemented through the Microsoft Teams portal. An example of this is the design of a customer contact center cloud solution based on geographically separated data centers.

ALSO READ 5 Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Features to Look Forward

6. Flexibility price plans

The call traffic per user can vary greatly. Some employees need a small bundle of calls, while others, for example, have high call volume to international destinations. Microsoft Teams  portal caters for both. To minimize costs, it may be desirable to allow international frequent callers to use a special price plan based on a charge per call.

7. Support

Telephony is a service that must be accurate on all details. Is it necessary to be able to call anonymously? Is it necessary to filter call traffic or set up protection against over-usage? Perhaps special solutions are needed for a standby duty service or reports? For all these types of questions, the use of a Cloud PBX in addition to Microsoft Teams portal may be the correct answer.

MachCloud is the specialist for business corporate communication systems where a (Cloud) PBX is integrated with Microsoft Teams. Do you need advice? Then contact us via www.machcloud.com.

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