Now that we’re a year into the pandemic, we’ve adapted to working from home. We’re conducting business, attending meetings and even participating in multi-day conferences all from the comfort of home while wearing comfy lounge wear (aka pajamas or sweatpants). That’s not to say it’s all been smooth sailing. The most frequently uttered phrase of 2020 was “I think you’re on mute.” During video calls, we might endure scenarios like this one: “Our strategy is …. (muffled noise) … we’ll start … (screen freezes) … what do you think?” Usually in the middle of an important meeting or presentation. In 2021, many WFH employees are still dealing with unreliable connections, low-quality video calls and the occasional cat walking across someone’s keyboard during a video chat. Not to mention unexpected technical issues (we’ve probably all seen the viral video of the Texas attorney who showed up to virtual court as a cat, his huge kitten eyes darting back and forth as he frantically tried to remove the cat filter from the screen). All this to say, there’s still very much a need to improve the videoconferencing experience — and to make better use of the many collaboration tools that these platforms provide. If you’re just using Microsoft Teams for video chat, for example, you’re missing out on a whole host of other capabilities that can help WFH employees connect, collaborate and feel like, well, a team. But you need the network infrastructure to back it up, otherwise teams become less productive.

Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams

That’s why on March 3 we launched Allstream Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams, which provides a high-quality voice experience you’ve come to expect from traditional telecom carriers to the collaboration environment. With this solution, your voice access is fully integrated into your Teams environment, so pivoting from voice to IM and back to voice is as easy as pushing a button. Part of Allstream’s SIP portfolio, Allstream Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams means you don’t have to sacrifice voice quality or collaboration, and you won’t break the bank either. Here are some of the key benefits: Seamless collaboration: Allstream Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams integrates with your Microsoft Teams environment to provide seamless access to high-quality voice services, allowing users to easily pivot between voice and conferencing. Built-in resiliency: With the Allstream network, you get built-in failover and rerouting options, along with a 100 per cent uptime guarantee. With voice access integrated into your collaboration apps, teams can work from anywhere, even in the midst of disruption. Security: Allstream Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams uses encryption to ensure confidentiality. Allstream’s encryption of SIP session traffic meets Microsoft’s security and privacy requirements. Cost-effective: Keep expenses manageable by using your existing equipment and only paying for the lines you need. Easy implementation: Because Allstream Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams uses your existing phone system, porting your existing numbers to your new service is simple (and reduces obstacles to adoption). So why choose Allstream? While WFH may be our ‘new’ normal, Allstream has 171 years of experience in voice technology and an extensive network of partnerships across the U.S. and Canada. Wherever your offices are, you’ll get local support backed by national expertise. And with cross-border service, Allstream can serve your business on both sides of the border. While there’s not much that can be done about that cat walking across your keyboard during a video meeting, a direct routing solution for your Microsoft Teams environment can ensure smoother sailing ahead for WFH employees. For more information, visit allstream.com. Image: FreshSplash/iStock

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