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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!

How Unified Communications impacts post Covid19 world

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Ever since the world was hit by COVID-19, Unified communication systems have played a huge role in keeping the world business connected. It is only through video conferencing tools that students were able to continue with their academics, businesses were able to keep their office collaboration intact and general people were able to stay in touch with their families while maintaining social distancing.

But how can the pandemic change cloud business for the better? Certainly, after COVID-19 outspread, one thing that most businesses have started to invest in is a sustainable Unified Communication system. What businesses require amidst uncertain situations is sustainability: a system that could keep it alive and growing, if not growing at all times.

Cloud Business move towards agility more than ever

The term “agile” is considered more related to the IT sector; however, it fits the purpose equally in any type of business domain. The idea so to create solutions that are the best fit and faster than the traditional way of developing solutions. During the pandemic, COVID-19, far-reached teams could collaborate using Collaboration tools. Thus, they were able to share ideas and experiences for better customer satisfaction. This trend is sure to stay in a post-Covid world.

Accelerated decision making rules the business space

In the fast-paced market, businesses can’t afford delays in decision making. Accelerated decision making is the key to foster a successful cloud business journey. In a post COVID era, leadership teams are seen to change their approach towards governance, thereby engaging decision-makers more frequently than ever. This is made easier with easy to pull video calls and short audio conferencing meetings.

Faster communication and collaboration

Unified Communication systems have engaged teams to work remotely and improve communication even in the hardest of times. Tools like Cloud PBX systems, SIP Trunking, VoIP, IP telephony, and many others have made their mark in the business space. Collaboration increases agility and better decision making. This foster’s work from home and virtual meetups more than often.

RELATED: EXCITING UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS BENEFITS TO WORKPLACES

MachCloud – the platform for business communication and other cloud services

MachCloud offers services that foster business communication and operations in modern business space. Equipped with modern back-end infrastructure, MachCloud understands modern business combination and cloud needs. Get Teams Voice options with or without buying a Microsoft 365 subscription, deploy Cloud and Hybrid PBX Solutions, and offer Windows Virtual Desktop services to foster remote working with MachCloud.

Keep your business equipped with all the Right tools for remote working and contact a MachCloud expert today.

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.

Get ready for Microsoft Teams certified desk phones

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After amazing Telephony Services, Microsoft has introduced new Teams certified desk phones.

Recently Microsoft explained in a blogpost how Teams capabilities can be enhanced using modern Phones. Formally a part of Microsoft Teams Displays, the desk phones provide a modern experience of communication and collaboration. The devices are enriched with features like high-quality call and video capabilities, buttons, and a hands-free experience. The devices are powered by Cortana, AudioCodes, Poly, and Yealink.

What are the new Microsoft Teams certified desk phones and devices?

Since Microsoft is already eager in making Teams the most secure platform for communication, the introduction of a new certified desk phone will add to the already tight security of Teams. Here are the desk phones that Microsoft has announced to offer by the first half of 2021:

  • Basic Microsoft Teams IP Phones

These phones promise the functionality of a full-fledged office Business Phone and telephony services. It is expected that Microsoft is planning for a normal phone interface with Buttons. This means the desk phone can be used like typical office phones with or without a touch interface. The hardware interface is kept for an overall cost-effective device affordable for businesses and easily replaceable for existing out-dated telephony services.

  • Microsoft Teams USB Phones

Many users are still used to heavy calling and would need out of the box features in addition to Microsoft Teams calling experience. To cater to that, Microsoft offers USB peripherals that can be attached to USB phones. They are easily connected to PCs or MACs for a rich Teams Calling experience. The basic Yealink USB phones are expected to land in the market by late 2021.

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

Microsoft is committed to providing a next Level communication with Teams

With new phones in the market, the concept of remote working can be eased for work from home employees. Since after the COVID-19 work from the home shift, many organizations are moving towards a more hybrid workplace environment. The announcements on the introduction of Teams Display devices are the next step to foster a hybrid workspace for companies.

MachCloud- the all-in-one Microsoft Teams service provider

MachCloud is committed to foster communication and enhance business communication for modern organizations. With a broad range of telephony services to choose from, MachCloud lets you stay on top of the curve with prompt communication. The platform provides Microsoft Teams Calling solutions in addition to Teams Direct Routing. The MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams service is committed to providing Teams related solutions to originations that are willing to make the shift to Teams. The experts at MachCloud are always ready to assist organizations with expert advice and assistance.

Get started with MachCloud for a rich next level business communication experience.

5 Technology Must Haves for ‘work from home’ scenario

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Work from home has become a norm in companies ever since the COVID-19 had been declared as a pandemic. However, in the IT sector, the term “work from home” has been circulating for more than a decade now. People who telecommute often know what gadgets to have their hands on, for a smooth work from home experience. However, this pandemic has forced most of the organizations to implement telecommuting and get their hands on the latest technology to facilitate home working.

What are the major Home Working Technology Must-Haves?

Cloud communication tools have emerged as major essentials to keep teams connected while staying geographically apart. If you think you can manage with a normal chat-based tool or simple email communication, you might be surprised that it isn’t enough to cater for today’s collaboration needs.

  • Video Conferencing Tools

Either it is your regular Agile meeting or a comprehensive Project feasibility report meeting, a video conference is essential for one on one communication with your boss or employees for better Team collaboration. There are many freely available Video conferencing tools, but they are vulnerable to threats. However, Microsoft Teams is a full-fledged solution that provides secured Video conferencing experience.

  • Project Management Tools

While staying at home it requires more effort to notify Teammates of the project progress. Investing in a better project management tool is always a good idea since it reduces the time you need to notify every member of the team on the work progress. Cloud-based Project management or business productivity tool would be an excellent choice to foster the team’s collaborations being geographically apart.

  • Microsoft Teams Collaboration Solution

This is by far the most effective and efficient productivity solution to cater for modern-day project sharing needs amongst project teams. Since its native to Office 365, you get to share any SharePoint content, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel work files for better understanding and collaboration. In addition to this, Teams offers Calling in Teams Solutions for easy calling right from your Office 365.

  • Cloud PBX for Staying Connected

Even if you are not working from home, this tool comes in handy for normal office communications. A cloud PBX lets you stay connected with other Teams members via cloud communication technology. It is also cost-effective for the organization and lets you stay in control of your cloud-based calls and offers all the features of a Cloud Phone system. So, whether you are working from home or office, a Cloud PBX is a must-have technology!

  • Digital Assistants

Digital assistants have emerged as an important tool to cater for fast-paced communication. Most workers are mostly familiar with digital assistants. These tools can carry out calls for you, take notes, and send emails at the scheduled time and much more. Modern telecommuting requires a digital assistant that can adapt to the working schedule and learn about next Gen communication requirements.

Related: WORK FROM HOME SIMPLIFIED WITH UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS

MachCloud – The cloud communication platform for modern-day business communication

MachCloud provides a digital communication solution that derives collaborations and makes it effective amongst remote working teams. MachCloud has assisted various teams in connecting them for productive working amidst the employees to work from home scenarios. It offers services Like Microsoft Teams solutions including Calling in Teams, Direct Routing for Teams, Office 365 reselling, SIP trunking, and Cloud PBX. No matter what size your organization, there is something for every type of business.

Get started with MachCloud’s services for a smooth work from home experience.

Work from home simplified with Unified Communications

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Ever since Work from home has gained popularity, companies are looking for ways and tools to manage remote employees. In reality, it is very difficult to manage a large group of employees working remotely. However, in modern times, home working is made easy with unified communications. Here are a few things you need to keep things under control and make the work from home experience smooth and enjoyable for both the employees and the managers.

Collaboration is the key

With employees scattered at different parts of the city and working from home, you need to keep up the spirit of Office collaboration. Unified communication tools provide the necessary collaboration on sharing information, documents, and project files. Each business must be geared up with tools needed to enhance and promote collaboration.

Get one step ahead from just chat and calls

Businesses that had already invested in cloud communications or Unified communications are reaping the benefits now better than others in the market. With the right tools in place, you give that extra edge to your normal business communication that keeps the flow and prevents it from drying up. For digital collaboration, you must keep your systems updated with the minimum requirements for VoIP communication, video collaboration, virtual meetings, simple IM, chats, calls, the latest call recording systems, best inline notification mechanism, and much more.

Make your Employees feel connected

The bottom line is: While working from home, break the ice with all employees at least once every day. While you keep them engaged, they’ll start enjoying working from home and still stay productive. Since the Digital workplace is different from the usual workplace of brick and mortar, chances are that the employees soon get bored. To keep them feel connected, a state-of-the-art collaboration platform is needed where they do not feel being out-of-work.

Related: Will the legalization of “work from home” benefit the economy?

MachCloud offers robust Unified Communications Solutions

MachCloud is a Unified communication solutions provider that fits your business. With the flexibility in plans and pricing offered by the platform, there is something for every type of business for MachCloud. With MachCloud Digital Communication solutions, work from home becomes easy and exciting along with managing remote working employees. MachCloud brings more bangs for the bucks for your business with its cloud-based digital communication solutions like MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams®; Microsoft Teams powered Calling in Teams solutions, Teams Direct Routing, Cloud PBX, MachCloud, Microsoft 365 and many other migration services via a robust Control Panel.

Get on board with MachCloud digital communication solutions and take your business collaboration to the next level.

Will legalization of “work from home” benefit economy?

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After the COVID-19 outbreak, all major companies around the world had to enforce a work from home policy. The much hype created on the concept of work from home is now taking to a next level after German Labor and Social Affairs Minister announces that the country plans to present a bill on legalizing working from home as a basic workers’ right, encouraging remote workers throughout the country.

Work from home has been proven to be more productive

The proposal hasn’t come out of the blue.  The concept of Work from home has been popular form quite a while. With entrepreneurs having an option to hire remote working employees, there is a high chance of finding the best fit for a vacancy which wasn’t really possible with geographical restrictions at all times. Besides, it is a good way to cut costs on commuting to work, thereby, saving the worker time and bucks!

Technological advancements fuel speculations on telecommuting becoming a norm

Workplace has now been taken to a next level. Technology has encouraged workers and entrepreneurs to ditch brick and mortar and adopt a virtual workplace that is a workplace of the future in a cost—effective manner.  Many collaborative tools and digital communication services have emerged as essential tools to run any type of business, online or otherwise. Services from Microsoft have been very effective in this domain with products like Teams, Yammer, SharePoint and collaboration between these via Microsoft 365 and much more. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that if such a bill on workers’ right to work from home is passed, technology would prove this decision to be a better one for the benefit of work force and the overall economy.

ALSO READ: Tips to continue process of effective business communication during coronavirus crisis

MachCloud – the all-in-one communication platform for remote workers

MachCloud is equipped with state-of-the-art tools to assist remote workers. The robust platform provides a unique collaboration solutions and communication services that is not only pocket-friendly, but also effective for Team work. MachCloud offers services offered by Microsoft Teams for collaboration with other Microsoft 365 tools for added productive. With MachCloud, employees working from home experience the exact collaborative environment needed for office-based communication. Whether you are Team Lead or any other employee, you can effectively communicate with staff and collaborate on Project files, documents with added features for collaborations like chats, IM, voice notes, @mentions, video conferencing and Calling in Teams.

Get MachCloud for a best in line remote working experience with MachCloud’s wide variety of products to facilitate telecommuting.

Tips to keep communication services up during COVID-19

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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“?

Coronavirus Crisis: Tips to continue process of Effective Business Communication

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Coronavirus Crisis Communication tips

The whole world is talking about coronavirus and how it has impacted the process of business communication. Companies are forced to opt a work from home policy and believe it or not, businesses were not prepared for this! There are sandstorms in the middle East, Hurricanes in the West, Earthquakes in the East that disrupt business but never on the face of this earth has been seen a virus effecting business globally! The hype is real and so is the impact of it.

Coronavirus Crisis Communication tips

Defeating the challenges posed by Coronavirus

In the recent week, many businesses around the globe have directed the employees not to commute to work and opt for telecommuting. Since then, there has been a great increase in the adoption of systems that require employees to effectively work from home. Microsoft has been lenient enough in this time of business crises that it has offered a lot of remote workforce support through its Microsoft Teams solutions. The process of business communication is affected since remote working has become a hindrance in imparting business communications objectives throughout the teams.

ALSO READ

An insight to employee experience with Microsoft Teams and MachCloud

Here are 5 tips to support businesses carry out business communication with an effective process of business communication in this time of COVID-19 crises:

Create a COVID-19 command room: Fist thing first, there just has to be a team that delivers assets present in the actual organization from its servers especially files servers and other assets.  Your business’ key personnel must be included in the team and they should (sadly) commute to work in order to make the assets available for the rest of the workforce (working from home). Don’t (Just Don’t) make the team of more than 7 people as a precautionary measure.

Develop an HR Action plan: An HR plan will decide and monitor the rules that your employees will have to adhere to in order to work from home. The HR Team will frequently communicate the rules via the process of business communication deployed in such a scenario.

Deploy Microsoft Teams Direct Routing: Microsoft Teams provides a flexibility to adjust calls and Call routing plans across the globe according to your business. Microsoft Teams let you connect and collaborate with your work teams efficiently while you work from home. Team leads can also monitor the progress of each project along with the communication of teams within Teams.

Keep in the communication in flow: Here’s a rule of thumb: Out of sight, out of mind. As soon as the top management is away from the employee’s sight, suddenly employees start to feel free. In order to keep the team intact, it is essential to keep the communication in flow

Create a process of communication plan: Since Coronavirus is not going to die so soon, it is important to have a communication plan in order to achieve business communication objectives throughout the origination. Since employees aren’t commuting every day, there must be a plan to which they adhere to so the business does not have to suffer and there is minimal loss.

MachCloud – the all-in-one business communication platform

The good news is: Unlike many other businesses, MachCloud has continued its services throughout these coronavirus global crises and continue to do so until (and long after) coronavirus crises has ended. With unmatched and uninterrupted services, MachCloud offers Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, SIP Trunking, Cloud PBX and other services like MachCloud and MachCloud Solution for Microsoft Teams for better collaboration and communication in the coronavirus work from home crises.

If you haven’t deployed MachCloud yet, now is the right time to make the move. Get on board with MachCloud and re-discover the process of business communication while your employees work from home this Coronavirus season.

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