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How many channels does a SIP trunk have?

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There is no particular number of channels for SIP Trunks. MachCloud, as an official and certified European telecom provider, has the unique ability to provide (basically) an infinite number of channels on a SIP Trunk without additional costs. It is the organization’s requirement that determines the number of SIP Trunk channels needed. The number of SIP Trunk channels can be increased or decreased based on business upsizing or downsizing. With MachCloud elastic SIP Trunking, the channels are automatically increased or decreased as needed. Thus, with MachCloud, there is no need to purchase channels.

MachCloud provides SIP Trunking services that include migration, on-boarding and easy management via the portal. With this, you can easily connect your PBX to a cloud telephony system and enjoy low call rates.

Talk to a MachCloud expert today for added information about SIP Trunking.

Experience Direct Routing with Teams and PBX

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Microsoft Teams allow smart communication, modern chat facilities, state of the art meetings and easy files storage capabilities.

With Teams gaining popularity more than ever after Skype for Business retirement, cloud communication solutions providers and cloud business officials are looking for ways to get value from their existing systems with Teams as much as possible.

Initially called “bring your own trunk”, Direct Routing was introduced with Teams to provide a PSTN connection with Teams to facilitate Teams users.

Can I integrate Teams with existing systems?

Microsoft enables organizations to place external or internal calls within the organizations. However, telephony features within Teams are limited. To overcome this MachCloud developed a unique connector integrating Microsoft Teams with existing PBX systems via Direct Routing. It enables personalized levels of communication, using the Teams app on any device: Teams Phone, Smartphone or PC.

Chose the right solution

MachCloud allows you to set up telephony services in Microsoft Teams in three different ways:

  1. Replace existing Phone systems with Microsoft Teams. You can save PBX related costs and benefit from attractive calling plans;
  2. Connect Teams users to an existing Cloud PBX, based on MachCloud’s unique Teams connector. Full features PBX functions, combined with the power of the Teams app.
  3. Use the Teams app on PC or smartphone to set up your calls via MachCloud’s Hosted PBX. You do need a Business voice subscription or Phone addon. 

MachCloud assists in choosing the right solution and offers a smooth migration path allowing a ‘small step’ changeover. In case user requirements cannot be met with a single solution, a mix of traditional business telephony and modern calling in Teams can be introduced.

Things to consider before making your choice

  • Migration

To set up Teams or PBX Teams, you need to check telephone numbers, licenses, hardware and call routing. MachCloud offers advice and migration support.

  • Consider Remote working option

Since remote working has become a norm and virtual workplaces will be deployed to increase security, a long-term plan is essential to ensure good quality voice connections. Deploying a Cloud telephony system for remote workers, a PBX with Teams Connection needs to be managed and set up remotely. A backup routing is needed in case of connection failure.

ALSO READ:

HAVE YOU DONE YOUR SKYPE FOR BUSINESS MIGRATION TO TEAMS?

  • Frequency of conference calls

Depending upon the type of business, it is important to forecast the frequency of calls and meetings. Bandwidth and connection requirements must be clear before integrating PBX with Teams. Avoid bottlenecks during an important meeting while working from home.

  • Choose the Right Phone

Simply put, you can use a Smartphone, PC, or existing phone connected to the hosted PBX. However, if phones are used with Teams, you need Teams-certified hardware or migrate existing hardware.

MachCloud is your solution to a successful Teams Migration

MachCloud makes your tasks easier by offering smooth migration options with Microsoft Teams. The all-in-one unified communication provider also provides services like PBX Cloud, Cloud Voice, SIP Trunking, and much more.

Get started with MachCloud for a smooth transition to Teams.

What is the Difference Between Cloud and Traditional PBX?

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The basic difference lies with the setting up of the two business phone systems. In a Traditional PBX method, an on-premises phone system is linked to all the phone extensions and further connected to PSTN lines. They are usually a CapEx purchase. In contrast, a cloud-based business communication system offers more flexible options. A cloud-based PBX system is also called Hosted service in which the main element to connect extensions is the Internet. In this setup, the company usually has to pay for the softphones or the endpoints. In addition to this, the cloud Hosted PBX service providers charge a monthly fee for the services. The Hosted PBX approach is, thus, much of a cheaper alternative to the traditional PBX system. There is no initial installation cost of PBX maintenance costs. The system is better scalable for the company than in the case of a traditional PBX. Hosted PBX offers remote working and business communication that is not defined within the office walls.

Stay in the know and get in touch with a MachCloud expert to know more about Cloud and traditional PBX business communication systems.

How to use a PBX system?

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A Private Branch Exchange or a PBX is a modern telephony system used for business communication. It can consume multiple channels of communication like VoIP, ISDN, or analog. You can use a PBX system to carry out calls, transfer calls, and receive calls, call queues, get a voicemail feature, call recording, and interactive voice menus (IVRs). Modern PBX phones include IP based telephony in which phone calls can be made via the internet over a PBX system.

You can use PBX as hosted solutions or a virtual solution that is backed by the cloud infrastructure. This thus supports scalability and is best suited for business communication of today. Features like Ring Groups, Digital Receptionists, Queues, Voicemail, and Reporting are prominent that makes a cloud PBX so popular. Modern PBX has redefined business collaboration.

To know more about how to use a PBX, contact a MachCloud expert, and get better guidance and details. 

Five key issues with standby duty service using Digital Business Communication System

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Meet Ted, the CEO of a reputed enterprise. Ted has always been enthusiastic for a progressive Digital business communication system for his workplace communication. Ted believes, the success to his business is to expand business presence. This requires, more staff availability and the employees being available even in their off time. Well, that’s a tough demand.

Tim, the IT manager, has a solution: Standby duty service based on call forwarding.

It is no surprise that communication is a solution that connects people to people. Call forwarding now plays a major role in assuring staff availability, empowers employees to work on the go and expands business presence. When digital business communication solutions became the norm in business community, a lot of concepts from old business communication had to be mapped into the modern digital communications. One of them is “Standby duty service” which gets its implementation through Call forwarding.

Standby duty service

If employees take turns to be reachable by telephone outside office hours in the event of incidents, emergencies or other calamities, this is called a standby duty. An employee can have a standby duty during the day, at night or during a weekend. During a standby duty service, an employee can be called and asked to perform work. In the past a beeper or pager was used to call employees, but nowadays it is the employee’s mobile phone that is the primary workplace communication device. And sometimes things go wrong.

1.      The empty battery

Despite all the care, it may happen that a cell phone or workplace communication device has no range, busy or has an empty battery. If a telephone call for an employee is diverted to a mobile device, the call almost always ends in a standard voicemail service. This is undesirable in the event of an emergency. That is why Digital business communication systems the MachCloud-CloudPBX has the option in the standby duty service to play the message to the employee like: “Press a key to accept the call”. If the employee does not press a key, the call will be forwarded to a fallback number or central reception post. This prevents voicemail from getting in the way.

2.      A mobile app replaces manual transfer schedules

If the call forwarded to employees is managed by a person, a mistake can occur. An employee is sick or on leave. A much better option is to let employees sign up in the call routing plan themselves. The most user-friendly way is that of a mobile app, because people can operate it anytime and anywhere. When setting up a standby duty service, we ensure that someone is always registered in the forwarding schedule. This prevents an employee from logging off without another employee being registered. A change of the guard can only be activated by the new employee in the app by activating a virtual switch.

3.      Multiple standby duty services

Larger organizations often require multiple standby duty services. By assigning a separate number to each standby duty service and setting up a separate forward diagram to the mobile numbers of employees, optimal availability is ensured.

ALSO READ:

How MachCloud can help you in avoiding internal telephone usage cost?

4.      Often overlooked: What if things go wrong?

In the end, accessibility remains human work. Even though everything is arranged optimally, it is possible that a call for an emergency is not answered. That is why we emphasize that a backstop or is always included in the forwarding scheme. If a telephone call is not answered in the event of an emergency, it is better to play a message with a message about an alternative contact method, than a scenario where the caller is on hold endlessly. Call forwarding must therefore always include an end point with, for example, a message about how to act if the call isn’t answered.

5.      Fair share?

A standby duty is often necessary. But the hours often do not count as paid hours. It is important that employees know that the working hours are allocated to different colleagues according in a fair manner. This prevents employees having the perception, they account for more hours than colleagues. Insight into answering time is important as well. In the event of an emergency, it must be possible to review answering time. That is why reports and call details related to workplace communication can be made available. The MachCloud-CloudPBX supports all these functions.

Do you need advice when setting up a standby duty service in your Digital business communication system? Contact us via www.machcloud.com.

An insight to employee experience with Microsoft Teams and MachCloud

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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

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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.

5 Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Features to Look Forward [2020 Guide]

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Microsoft Teams Direct Routing is the latest trend in modern digital business communication. This is a scenario where companies can bring in their existing SIP Trunk/Carrier/SBC and connect it with Microsoft Teams and avail its benefits with User PSTN Telephony. This ensures better productivity and fewer changes required to the existing infrastructure.

A while ago, Microsoft announced a few enhancements that are promised in Microsoft Teams Direct Routing. Let’s go through them:

Media Relay Override

With this, customers can “change their default Media Relay to match their public IP structure”. With a Media bypass plan setup, media is kept directly between Session Border Controller (SBC) and Teams user.

Missed Call Message Suppression

Since Teams can go on along with an existing 3rd Party PBX, this feature enables Teams not to miss any notification if a gateway is setup in such a way that it rings or forks a call (on both Teams and PBX) and the call is picked up on PBX or PBX’s voicemail.

SIP Tester

It is a feature to be introduced for convenience. A PowerShell script is introduced which will test the basic configuration of SIP deployment over Direct Routing in Teams.

Ringback Bot

It is available for Direct Routing in non-media bypass mode. During the call imitation process, the Ringback Bot is helpful in ringing a distinctive audio signal to the caller while there are any unexpected silences while the inbound call is being placed from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to Teams clients.

PSTN Reporting

With this feature, you’d be able to get PSTN Call Detail Records reports directly in your Microsoft Teams Admin Centre. Reports can be viewed for a historical trend for 28 days and also till any custom date. With this feature, you can easily have a look at a detailed analysis of Microsoft Teams PSTN usage.

ALSO READ 4 handy ways to start a Microsoft Teams call

MachCloud – All-in-one Digital Business Communication Platform

MachCloud is a complete digital business communication platform equipped with top notch infrastructure to provide your business all the features needed for a smooth business communication according to your business needs. Microsoft Teams Direct routing allows for easy migration of existing telephone numbers to Microsoft Teams. The Industry-leading digital communications platform offers other Products like SIP Trunking, Cloud PBX, MachCloud and Office 365 reselling services. With MachCloud you get Cost-effective and advanced PBX Services with Microsoft Teams.

Head up to MachCloud for a smooth digital business communication solution and unlock the potential of your business.

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How Digital Business Communication solutions can make you win over your competitors

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Investment in Digital business communication solutions is regarded as the new norm for business success. It is often believed that the way to business success is the investment in the Right areas. In case of cloud- based businesses, the Right areas have become cloud business communication solutions. By going with a typical business phone system, you fail to realize how much you are spending on the calls and internal communication costs that you could’ve saved with cloud based communication solutions. Here are five ways how you can stay ahead of your competitors using a digital cloud based business communication solution:

  • Become Productive, not busy!

Staying busy all the time doesn’t mean you are being beneficial for the company all the time. Half of the time employees are busy fixing recurring tasks that can be automated. With a digital business communication solution in place, you’ll find more productivity amongst your employees, increased customer base and better prospects which eventually beats your competitors in cloud business competition.

  • Reach Out to international clients

With a cloud based business communication solution, you can reach out to international clients in an easy manner without biting your nails for potentially increased bills. When you reach out to an international customer base, you are more likely to sell better, grow your business and pursue for stability in your services. Capturing International clients is all you need to stay ahead of your competitors.

  • Get rid of barriers in the way of productivity

Business phone’s tangled wiring; jitters in video conferencing, dropping out important clients’ calls are a few barriers that come in the way of smooth service delivery from your end. With digital business communication, you can make use of top-notch infrastructure for smooth service delivery, that too without the hassle of maintenance at your end!

  • Save Cost on Calls

With business communication solutions, there are easy pricing plans that can fit any business. With a decent communication service provider, you only have to pay for what you need and so you can do more with less. There is less setup costs and almost no maintenance costs with a digital communication solution. In reality, you only don’t save direct communications costs, but also save indirect costs. For example Employees aren’t dependent to take calls only from the desk but can work from anywhere, so you never lose a business call and so potentially you save a huge indirect cost.

  • Hassle-free setup

Not only you save on setup and installation costs, you also save time with the quick and hassle free setup. You don’t have to boil the ocean during setup and installation of a cloud-based business communication solution, because setup is a low-hanging fruit in the first place.

ALSO READ Ways Cloud Voice can boost cloud computing for business productivity

MachCloud’s business communication solutions for promising cloud business outcomes

MachCloud is an Industry-leading digital business communications platform offering best-in-line services to customers and partners for a better business communication. The offers include SIP Trunking, Cloud PBX services, MachCloud, Office 365 Reselling services and Calling in Teams with Direct Routing. Not only the services are easy to deploy, the pricing and plans are also pocket-friendly and win-win for both customers and Resellers. Whatever the business size, MachCloud has got you covered.

Get started with MachCloud and find the Right digital cloud business communication solution for your business for better cloud based business productivity.

 

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5 Ways a VoIP system can reduce your business phone bill | A Digital communications strategy

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The old adage “Communication is the key” still holds true especially for cloud businesses. A decent digital business communication infrastructure (like VoIP system or SIP Trunking solution) is indeed the backbone of any cloud business in which operations are carried out within the cloud space. Gone are the days when a traditional business phone system was setup and maintained amongst heavy clutters of wiring, digital communication in the cloud is the trend of today.

Amongst so many options, a smart choice of digital communications strategy is a VoIP. Let’s have a look why.

  • Lessened hardware costs

With VoIP, you don’t have to boil the ocean.  With a decent provider and a digital communications strategy, you get the power of a modern business communication with less investment costs and minimal maintenance cost which eventually brings down the costs you spend on your communications within the business. There are some VoIP providers who offer free hardware and others charge a little fee initially, it is still a lot better than the traditional business phone systems.

  • Pocket-friendly phone calls

Not only the infrastructure, but the phone calls also don’t burden your budget. Providers offer decent digital communications strategy and bundle deals for your cloud business which eventually save you big bucks on your budget. Monthly subscriptions are there that you may or may not continue the next month, depending upon your business needs. Furthermore, if you have international clients, you’d need to make frequent calls abroad; you only have to pay for what you use.

  • Scalability in cheap rates

Either you wish to scale up or down your cloud business, a digital communications system can adapt to your business scalability. No need to add more clutter and cost to the office business phone lines. All you have to do is add users in the cloud and utilize the power of scalability in the VoIP system.

  • Stay up-to-date always

With a VoIP system right in place, the updation of the system and infrastructure is the responsibility of the Provider so you don’t have to deal with out-dated systems anytime. The provider is there to roll in the new changes whenever they are available.

  • Save time

Providers know the importance of your time. When you are mostly busy with technicalities of a traditional phone line, theirs is less chance you’d be able to focus on your business tasks for the day. Providers take you out of that and let you focus on your cloud business operations to save you time and money.

ALSO READ Basics of VoIP Plans that can benefit your cloud business

MachCloud – Industry’s best Digital Communications Provider

At MachCloud, there is something for everyone. It is a robust digital communications platform offering SIP Trunking, Cloud PBX, and Reselling of Office 365 services.  MachCloud offers free calls mixing different technologies and makes the customers save more costs on their communications expenditure. Experts at MachCloud know the importance of your time and take the burden off from your IT team regarding communication infrastructure management.

Get started with MachCloud and deploy the right tools for your business that take your business to success.

 

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