Many organisations already use Microsoft Teams every day, but few realise it can also replace their traditional phone system. For smaller businesses and charities especially, it’s easy to assume that digital telephony is an expensive upgrade designed for larger companies. In reality, that belief is outdated, and sticking with older phone setups could be costing you much more than you think.
A smarter, more affordable option
When Teams telephony first appeared, it was a pretty costly investment. Today, it’s a very different story. The service now costs around £10 per user, which puts it well within reach for most SMEs and even many non-profits. You don’t need to roll it out to everyone in the organisation, either. It can be enabled just for the people who need it most, which helps smaller teams save even more.
There’s no on-premises PBX, base hardware, or separate infrastructure to buy outright or pay to maintain. Plus, shared devices – like reception or meeting room phones – can be licensed cheaply, making it an especially practical choice for businesses managing tight budgets or multiple sites.
Return on investment is quick, too. With our assistance, one of our clients switched from BT to Teams telephony. They described the change as a “complete turnaround”, delivering better functionality with lower running costs, and one less system to manage. For charities under increasing pressure to reduce overheads, the savings from embracing Teams can make a real difference.
Why Teams is worth considering
Cost alone is a strong reason to explore Teams telephony, but it’s not the only one. For many smaller organisations, especially charities, it’s also about flexibility. Staff can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, whether that’s the office, the home, or out in the community.
Calls appear through the same interface people already use for chat and meetings, so there’s no need for extra training. Everything sits in one familiar platform, with fewer systems to support.
Teams integrates with Microsoft 365, so call logs, voicemails and contacts all link up with the tools you already rely on. It’s a simpler way to stay connected, and doesn’t require big-business resources.
Talk to your IT provider
Often, telephony isn’t part of IT conversations. Many organisations still assume that phone systems are something separate; something managed by a telecoms provider, not their IT partner. But today, things have changed, and modern voice solutions belong firmly within IT planning.
Digital telephony plays a huge role in connectivity, security, and user experience. When managed alongside the rest of your digital setup, it can deliver better results at a lower cost. So if you haven’t yet spoken to us here at Reliable about Teams telephony, now’s the time. You might be paying more than you need to by sticking to traditional systems – so let us help you achieve more, for less.
