How to integrate Microsoft Teams with a PBX system

Without a doubt, the levels of growth that Microsoft Teams has seen over the past two years have probably been unexpected, even from Microsoft's perspective. Globally, companies have adopted the platform to facilitate remote work, and now it really is here to stay. The collaborative work features it offers make it perfect for many companies. But what if a Teams user wants to make a phone call to a customer or supplier outside their organization?

The solution: connect 3CX with Teams!

While it is true that MS Teams offers a whole range of benefits to users, the integrated phone system is somewhat lacking in functionality and calling plans are expensive. Enter 3CX! As a PBX phone system, it integrates seamlessly with Teams to enable external calls. At the same time, adding enterprise-level features to elevate the MS Teams platform to the next level.

By using 3CX in the background to perform all call routing configurations such as call queuing, digital switchboard operators, and reporting, users can stay within Teams for all their daily activities. A major benefit is that a local SIP trunk provider is selected, which unlocks important cost savings on local and international call plans.

How to call using Microsoft Teams

Using Teams to make and receive calls could not be easier. Desktop application users will already be familiar with how calls are made and received, easing the transition to using 3CX with Teams. Mobile application users have the advantage of being able to place calls on Teams to ensure a unified business presence by presenting the company's main number during dialing. This also has the added benefit of preventing the use of staff mobile numbers, bypassing business processes.

A call can be made in 2 simple steps:

Step 1

Go to the Calls tab and enter:
- An external number (e.g., mobile or landline)
- An extension number to call a user on 3CX (e.g., 040).
- A name to call a user directly on Teams (e.g., Brandon)

Step 2

Once a call is in progress, the "Other" icon can be used to complete actions, including putting the call on hold, transferring the call to another user, and changing audio device settings.

For more information on how to use Microsoft Teams calls, contact us!

Microsoft Teams Integration with 3CX

If you are an IT administrator and would like to implement it for your company, we have put together several configuration guides and video tutorials to get you started:

Our assistance is available to ask any questions that are answered by the wider community and our extremely helpful technical support team.

The benefits of Microsoft Teams integration

If you are already using 3CX, adding this integration is a great option as it allows even more choice in how your end users use the system. If you are not currently running 3CX and are looking for a PBX out there to connect to Teams, 3CX checks the boxes.

No additional or third-party hardware required to proxy traffic
Simple configuration and management
Save on purchasing additional Microsoft licenses (not everyone needs Teams)
Unifies global organizations: creates routes to save on expensive international call traffic.

Reduce administrator: synchronize MS 365 to 3CX

Setting up the integration with Microsoft 365 not only allows teams to be configured to make and receive calls, but will also create a stronger synergy between the two platforms.

Automatically synchronizes the user's contacts in the 3CX personal address book
Contacts in the shared mailbox are automatically synchronized with the 3CX corporate address book
3CX profile status is automatically updated based on Microsoft calendar events
Make calls directly from Microsoft 365 by simply clicking on a contact
Incoming calls match Microsoft contacts to display callers' names
Web Client and desktop app open automatically to ensure you never miss a call

Conclusions

All end users want choices. By integrating Microsoft Teams with 3CX you give them just that, choices. Our Teams integration is available on our Enterprise license.