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TagSkype for Business

Why do I need upgrade guidance? Can’t I just delete/decommission Skype for Business?

In FAQ
September 23, 2021
1 Min Read
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Microsoft has now declared Teams as the new norm of telephony. After Skype for Business has retired, organizations are advised to migrate to Teams via a Migration process and plan. A Migration plan lets you organize your contacts and notify them earlier about how they would be migrated to teams. In addition to this, with a proper plan, you can upgrade in batches, and thus, all of the employees aren’t affected all at once. Simply deleting Skype for Business server will only remove all the contacts and meeting data from your skype and you wouldn’t be able to shift all of it in Teams.

MachCloud offers easy Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams migration with its Teams migration options and Direct Routing deployment. It offers Direct Routing, Cloud services, Microsoft 365 help, and services. MachCloud experts can help you get through all the migration loopholes from Skype for Business Server to Teams.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR EFFECTIVE MICROSOFT TEAMS MIGRATION“?

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Is there a recommended upgrade path for Skype for Business?

In FAQ
August 25, 2021
1 Min Read
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Microsoft has provided detailed documentation on how to upgrade to Teams. If your organization hasn’t shifted to Teams yet, it is recommended to shift according to your organization’s plan. You’ll need to have Microsoft 365 licenses and the shifting process from Skype for business is going to be a smooth one.

Upgrading from Skype for business to Teams is a technical migration and requires a process and plan before you start. Thus, Microsoft has already provided guidance and conducted workshops for companies to execute the plan. You can deploy tools to perform the upgrade process. There is an automated program that assists you in upgrading from Skype for Business Online to Teams Only mode. The program is called Assisted upgrades from Skype for Business Online to Microsoft Teams. In addition to this, FastTrack for Microsoft 365 Teams deployment assistance is available for qualifying plans.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR EFFECTIVE MICROSOFT TEAMS MIGRATION“? 

Have more questions? Speak to one of our Teams migration experts today to learn more. 

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Do on-premises Skype for Business Server customers need to upgrade to Microsoft Teams?

In FAQ
August 12, 2021
1 Min Read
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Now that Microsoft Skype for Business server has retired, many organizations undergoing on-premises setup are looking for ways of alternate cloud telephony services. The simple answer to the above question is Yes. On-premises Skype for Business Server customers must upgrade to Teams in 3 steps. The first step is to configure hybrid connectivity. Next, you need to set up the transitional coexisting mode. This is an optional step. However, depending upon your company requirements, you can make this step in phases. The next step is to shift users from Skype for Business on-premises setup to the Teams Only mode. This has now become a single step. The last step is to complete migration by disabling hybrid environments and perform the migration to the cloud. Migrating users of Skype for Business on-premises with Enterprise Voice To Teams Calling plans requires moving users’ calling accounts to the cloud as well. For users with PSTN connectivity, the migration will involve Direct routing deployment.

DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING? WHY NOT READ: “ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR EFFECTIVE MICROSOFT TEAMS MIGRATION“? 

Have more questions? Speak to one of our Teams migration experts today to learn more. 

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Remote Working – The new Norm in the POST COVID era

In Business Communication
August 9, 2021
3 Min Read
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Remote working has been around for a while in the IT industry, but no one could have imagined in the year 2019 that the following year will enforce remote working to all types of businesses. Ever since Microsoft Teams surged up in popularity during the pandemic in 2020, businesses are trying to opt for Teams and similar other Cloud telephony systems which can help them function properly since work from home is the new norm. As we move ahead in the Post Covid era, CEOs and managers all over the world are looking for ways to keep the remote working experiences smooth and easy-going.

The Importance of Voice in the Remote Working Era

Many countries in Europe are striving towards normalizing remote working in the legislation. That being said, the effectiveness of the business depends on communication. Meetings, discussions, brainstorming sessions, you name it. Thus, the importance of clear communication is inevitable, and a good Digital Communication platform is all you need for it.

Cloud Voice is the new Norm

Speaking of Cloud, it is the backbone of today’s business much like the Internet was until a few years ago. The internet is the gateway to cloud and digital communications. Modern companies are aware that making the shift to the cloud is the only way for a sustainable future. Thus, the adoption of Digital Communication platforms is widespread.

Say goodbye to Bottle Necks

Gone are the days when digital communication was full of jitters and lags. Thanks to the Cloud, there are no connection bottlenecks. May it be Video meetings or Cloud Calling; the conversation is streamlined effectively. 

ALSO READ: HAVE YOU DONE YOUR SKYPE FOR BUSINESS MIGRATION TO TEAMS?

Microsoft Teams has got you covered

Microsoft Teams has gained popularity over the years. With Skype for Business now dead, Teams is the new mode of digital communication for Microsoft users. Teams is an all-in-one digital communication platform with the best in-line security and privacy regulations in place. Microsoft Teams is best used in academic institutes for remote learning, small businesses for remote working employees and enterprises for telephony and to hold meetings across the continent and even the globe. 

MachCloud is your one window to a Cloud-based Telephony future

MachCloud offers many types of Cloud Voice products including Voice for Microsoft Teams solutions, SIP Trunking, Cloud PBX, and many others. The Digital Communication platform provides Next-Generation Cloud Voice Solutions to enterprises and SMEs alike. So, whether you are planning to deploy Teams, Zoom, or any other cloud telephony service, MachCloud has got you covered.

Check out MachCloud products and make the shift to a Cloud-based digital communication platform like MachCloud.

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All you Need to Know for effective Microsoft Teams Migration

In Business Communication, Microsoft Teams
July 19, 2021
3 Min Read
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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. 

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

In Digital Communications, Microsoft Teams
July 16, 2021
3 Min Read
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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!

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Is Skype for Business a VoIP?

In FAQ
September 17, 2020
1 Min Read
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Originally, when Skype was launched, it was a proprietary VoIP system. However, Microsoft has made quite enhancements in its back-end infrastructure and it has now completely moved to a cloud-based service powered by Azure. However, Skype for Business can essentially be used and connected with a SIP Trunk to carry outcalls.

Originally, Skype came from a more distributed system. Every device that needed to communicate over Skype had to install a client application due to which it became a node in a network of nodes. The communication was carried out via the Peer-to-Peer network and used the Skype Protocol. Presently, Skype for Business has emerged as a centralized Cloud-based infrastructure in which call management is more controlled and streamlined. Today, Skype can be integrated well into the Business Phone system which includes SIP Phones or VoIP Phones.

Get in touch with a MachCloud Expert for more details on Skype for Business Server and Migration to Microsoft Teams.

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New Voice Devices for a rich Microsoft Teams experience

In Microsoft Teams, SIP Trunking
August 10, 2020
3 Min Read
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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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How MachCloud facilitates businesses with Teams Direct Routing

In Business Communication, Cloud PBX, Digital Communications, Microsoft Teams, Unified Communications
June 3, 2020
3 Min Read
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According to statistics, Microsoft Teams, especially Teams Direct Routing, is being deployed in the business domain at a record-breaking pace. The heavy adoption of Teams also owes to the fact that Microsoft has announced End of Life for Skype for Business, which ultimately diverts the consumers to the Microsoft Phone system: Microsoft Teams.

MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams Solution fosters Teams Collaboration

Various Microsoft telephony services are efficient; provide faster Dialing, maintain call logs, and everything that a modern business needs out of a top-notch Telephony service. MachCloud offers solutions for Microsoft Teams powered communication service to its existing set of services: Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams Calling. This is offered in association with Office 365 Integration with which businesses are empowered since it eliminates the need for extra infrastructure and thus brings more bangs for the bucks for companies in these struggling economies.

Top 5 Benefits of Teams Direct Routing with MachCloud

Give a new meaning to collaboration

MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams brings cloud communication solutions like Cloud PBX, Microsoft Teams together for your business, and get on board with Teams Direct Routing for a smooth and best price Calling in Teams experience with MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams solution that gives a new meaning to business collaboration.

  1. Low-Cost Solution

MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams solution doesn’t require an additional Hosted Setup and can work with a business’s existing PBX. Every direct routing calling plan enables the consumers to fully automate network onboarding & tenant provisioning, thus utilizing Teams Voice Calling Plan that stays light on the company budget.

  1. Secured communication

The end-to-end call encryption feature of Teams assures every Microsoft phone system call via Teams to be secure and protected from eavesdropping and other threats.

  1. Excellent service delivery

MachCloud offers a fully automated provisioning portal and Microsoft phone system for Teams which offers inbound and outbound calls with excellent quality and crystal-clear voice. 

  1. The Hybrid approaches

With MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams, you can either opt for Microsoft Teams with an existing (cloud)PBX or Microsoft Teams with our Direct Routing service. You can choose to depend upon your business nature.

ALSO READ: Unleash the power of Microsoft Teams with an existing PBX Telephone System

MachCloud – the all-in-one unified communications solution for business

MachCloud, with its solution for Teams, offers a fully automated provisioning portal for Teams Direct Routing which offers chat, calls, video conferencing, and File sharing. In addition to this, other collaboration tools with excellent quality and crystal-clear voice eliminating the need for an additional Hosted Setup and can work with a business’s existing PBX are also offered. Equipped with features like geo-redundancy, 24-hour support, call analytics, and unlimited inbound calling, the Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams Calling solution opens doors for resellers and sales partners to offer Teams Voice service and Direct Routing service in a secure, simple and smooth manner.

Go for MachCloud and utilize the benefits of Microsoft Teams for your progressive business.

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Planning for Skype to Teams migration? Here’s the guide

In Business Communication
April 9, 2020
3 Min Read
P

Many companies are still waiting for the deadline defines for Skype to Teams migration to approach. While it may feel tempting to wait till the end and act promptly, while the announcement is about to be made that Microsoft Teams replaces Skype for Business, it is never a good idea from business strategic management perspective. If you still haven’t performed the Skype to Teams migration, here are 5 major tips to ease your process of Skype to Teams Migration:

  1. Go for Automated Up gradation

Organizations that are small and not equipped with hybrid or on-premises setup are favored by Microsoft. Microsoft offers those organizations automated up gradations for Office 365 tenant. This is particularly fruitful since SMEs don’t necessarily have a lot of IT experts on board.

  1. Focus on the Team

In order to perform Skype to Teams migration, the rollout Team at your end would have to be extended beyond just IT personnel and include stakeholders and executive sponsor that keep track of the training and rollout milestones.

  1. There are built-in upgrade options

The fact is: “Microsoft Teams comes with built-in upgrade options and interoperability”. This is for every business whether utilizing Skype for Business Server on-premises, Skype for Business Online, a hybrid configuration, or even companies having an enterprise voice plan.

  1. Choose an upgrade path

There are two modes for up gradation: Islands mode, Skype for Business with Teams Collab” mode and Teams only mode.

  • Islands mode: In this mode, you get the option of overlapping capabilities while you phase in the new features and eventually phase out Skype for Business features that your users and clients are so used to working with.
  • Skype for Business with Teams Collab mode: This is called the “meeting first approach” in which you are free to select the chosen capabilities.
  • Teams only mode: In this mode, all your calls are managed via Teams. In addition to this, your PSTN is configured well with Direct Routing.

  1. Discover your mode

Out of the many modes Microsoft Provides, there is an option to mix and match.

Either you can set a mode organization-wide or set it for specific users. This can be set in the Teams Admin Center. In this way, you can work with overlapping capabilities for a subset of users within the organization, while employing Teams only for the rest of the organization. So make the move before Microsoft Teams replaces Skype for business.

ALSO READ: Unleash the power of Microsoft Teams with an existing PBX Telephone System

MachCloud – the one-stop cloud communication platform for your business

MachCloud is an all-in-one digital communication platform that has the potential to take your business communication to the next level. With Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, MachCloud offers easy Calling via Teams with your existing PBX without the need of a SCB. With MachCloud, you can get pocket friendly calling plans that are suitable for every business. Solutions like MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams and MachCloud make MachCloud a favorite Cloud communications provider in the industry.

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