With more than 320 million monthly active users, Microsoft Teams has become the standard for organizational communications. Despite this widespread adoption, only a little over 6% of these users have an integrated phone number capable of placing calls through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

This gap presents a significant opportunity for organizations to enhance their communication capabilities within Teams. 8x8 addresses this need with its comprehensive 8x8 for Microsoft Teams portfolio, which provides multiple native Teams Phone connectivity options, such as Operator Connect, Direct Routing, and a Teams-certified contact center. Among these options, 8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams stands out as a native, intuitive, and cost-effective solution for enabling PSTN calling directly within Teams.

What is 8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams?

8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams offers a cost-effective and native experience, without the need for per-user Teams Phone licenses, desktop plugins, or additional software outside of Teams.

Designed as a “Teams-first” solution and built on 8x8’s direct routing service, this app seamlessly integrates PSTN calling functionality within Teams, making it intuitive for users across devices and simple for IT to manage and deploy. It also provides flexibility for organizations to optimize licensing costs according to business needs down to the user level.

Native Integration: How Does It Compare?

To truly understand the benefits of 8x8’s native integration, consider the alternatives. Unlike other UCaaS providers that offer a ‘free’ Teams calling integration but take users out of Teams immediately, 8x8 Phone App is natively integrated because calls are actual Teams calls.

This deep integration means users experience the same Teams notifications, calling windows, and features they are accustomed to, whether on desktop, mobile, or web. The native integration allows for consistent and intuitive user experiences, leveraging native Teams functionalities such as call transfers, merging, and real-time presence status. Calls happen entirely within Teams, ensuring that users do not have to switch between different applications, maintaining a seamless communication flow.

Question to Consider: Do the ‘free’ Teams calling integrations keep users within Teams?

Intuitive User Experience: What Makes It Stand Out?

An intuitive user experience is crucial for the adoption and efficiency of a communications tool. 8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams is intuitive—for both IT administrators and end-users—and deploys directly from the cloud, eliminating the need for additional device management or configuration tools.

Once deployed, automatic identity mapping lets users begin using the app immediately without requiring extra configuration or authentication. Compare that with other providers that require multiple software installations and configurations, which results in a fragmented and confusing user experience. 8x8 Phone App simplifies deployment, ensuring a uniform experience across all devices and minimizing the need for extensive training and support.

Question to Consider: Do the ‘free’ Teams calling integration providers require software and configuration outside of Teams?

Cost-effective Solution: Are There Hidden Costs?

Cost efficiency is a significant advantage of 8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams. Unlike other ‘free’ Teams calling integrations that require every user to be licensed for Teams and their UCaaS solution, 8x8 Phone App provides a low-cost PSTN calling option by licensing only the users who need PSTN access.

This flexibility allows organizations to assign licenses based on specific user needs, avoiding unnecessary expenses. Additionally, the app’s native integration reduces hidden costs associated with additional software deployment, installation, and support, further optimizing technology spending.

Question to Consider: Do the ‘free’ Teams calling integration providers require you to acquire more licenses than your business needs?

The 8x8 for Microsoft Portfolio: Simplifying Your Communication Needs

Managing multiple vendors and systems alongside Microsoft can add unnecessary complexity to your operations. 8x8's portfolio minimizes the complexity of managing multiple vendors and systems alongside Microsoft, allowing organizations to mix and match licenses as needed to fit their specific requirements.

By consolidating communications services with 8x8, organizations can streamline vendor management, reduce overhead, and ensure a seamless, integrated experience for all users.

8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams is part of the broader 8x8 for Microsoft Teams portfolio, designed to meet diverse communications needs within Teams. This portfolio includes:

Question to Consider: How many vendors are needed to meet your communication needs, and how much complexity does that add to your operations?

To learn more about the different PSTN options, please see the Teams Phone PSTN Buyer’s Guide.

Elevate Your Microsoft Teams Experience with 8x8

All app-based integrations share one common trait—they’re fancy dialing shortcuts for Teams. The difference lies in what happens next. Does it disrupt the flow of work by changing focus to an app outside of the Teams interface, or does it embrace a Teams-first design through the native Teams calling experience? If integrating with Teams is a business requirement, why compromise on an “integration” that doesn’t actually leverage the Teams platform? Isn’t that the point of an integration?

8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams is more than just an alternative; it's a transformative part of the 8x8 for Microsoft Teams portfolio that redefines how organizations integrate PSTN calling with Microsoft Teams. By providing a native, intuitive, and cost-effective approach, 8x8 enables businesses to fully leverage their Teams environment without unnecessary complications or expenses. Whether you need advanced UCaaS functionality, a robust contact center solution, or simply the best Teams-first experience, the 8x8 for Microsoft Teams portfolio has you covered.

Discover how you can enhance your communication capabilities, streamline your IT management, and optimize your costs with 8x8. Watch our video to see how 8x8 Phone App for Microsoft Teams offers a seamless, integrated experience that truly embraces the Teams-first approach.

For more information, visit 8x8.com/teams.