The simple way to use Microsoft Teams with Cisco Calling
In our post Cisco and Microsoft – Creating better experiences, together we covered how clients with both Cisco and Microsoft Collaboration tools can improve the user experience across Messaging, Calling and Meetings.
In this post, we cover the scenario where Microsoft Teams is used for Messaging, with Cisco being used for Calling functionality via the cloud-based Cisco Webex Calling or the on-premise Cisco Unified Communications Manager with Cisco Jabber.
Cisco calling platforms can provide proven, enterprise-grade voice and video calling features within Microsoft Teams using the following platforms:
- On-premise – Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM)
- Hosted – Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS)
- Cloud – Webex Calling, UCM Cloud, BroadCloud
Why use Cisco Calling with Microsoft Teams?
Using a single, integrated client (Microsoft Teams in this scenario) provides both an improved user experience and the ‘best of both worlds’ with Cisco Calling capabilities. The integration is possible through a client-side approach that allows Microsoft Teams users to leverage the rich, enterprise-grade telephony and video capabilities of a Cisco calling platform.
The client-side integration means no changes are required to Cisco Calling Infrastructure or configuration.
The integration provides a number of advantages for clients that have chosen to use Microsoft Teams for messaging (and possibly meetings) functionality:
- Continue to utilise existing Cisco on-premise investments such as Cisco UCS servers, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or CallManager), dial plans, Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) voice gateways and telecommunications carrier SIP services
- Client-side deployment
- No compromise on enterprise-grade calling capabilities, including Cisco contact centre support
- No infrastructure changes
- No additional licensing (no Microsoft E5 Cloud PBX phone system license required)
- Work remotely and take advantage of Cisco on-premise calling features (without a VPN) using Cisco Expressway with Mobile Remote Access (MRA)
- Supports calling via on-premise or cloud-based Cisco platforms
Licensing and Administration
No additional licensing is required.
To enable Cisco-based calling functionality within Microsoft Teams for all users, the administrator needs to add the ‘Cisco Webex Calling’ or ‘Cisco Jabber’ app from the Microsoft app store for all users through the app setup policy.
Please note that:
- Users can also add the ‘Cisco Webex Call’ or ‘Cisco Jabber’ app if the admin policy allows it
- The ‘Cisco Webex Call’ or ‘Cisco Jabber’ desktop app must already be installed
- ‘Cisco Webex Call’ or ‘Cisco Jabber’ app can be deployed to groups of users via the App Setup policy
Would you like to improve the user experience of your Microsoft Teams and Cisco users?
Would you like to provide proven, enterprise-grade telephony and contact centre capabilities for your Microsoft Teams users?
Would you like to use Microsoft Teams with your on-premise Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or CallManager) and Cisco Jabber deployments?
Would you like to continue to use your existing telecommunications carrier SIP trunks and Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) voice gateways?
Would you like to use Microsoft Teams with your cloud-based Cisco Webex Calling (WxC) subscription?
Let’s Talk.
Peak Insight is an award-winning Cisco Collaboration, Contact Centre and Connectivity provider.
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We take a consulting-led and adoption-driven approach, with in-house software development capabilities to maximise the value of your investment.
Interested to learn more? Let’s talk – schedule a call with our team, or call 1300 026 033 (option 1).