This understanding will empower you to create and manage connections to PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), manage voice routing, and configure the required settings for individuals and teams using Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 Phone System.
Firstly, let’s take a look at the core features of the Microsoft Phone System.
- Call Controls: Microsoft Phone System provides call control features like hold, forward, transfer, mute, and caller ID masking. These are standard for any telephony system, but on Microsoft’s platform, these are included without any additional hardware or software.
- Voicemail: The system integrates voicemail services directly into the user’s mailbox and provides functionalities like missed call notification, voicemail transcription, and voicemail broadcasting.
- Emergency Calling: Microsoft Phone System can route emergency calls based on the caller location.
- Auto Attendant and Call Queues: An automated system for call receiving and routing, and queuing incoming calls respectively. These are useful features for businesses of all sizes.
- Interoperability with Non-Microsoft Systems: Importantly, Microsoft Phone System can connect directly to non-Microsoft Session Border Controllers (SBCs), providing flexibility in system design.
- Compatibility with Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business: Full integration with Teams and Skype allows a seamless transition between chat, voice, and video conferencing.
Mapping these features to requirements demands an understanding of both your organization’s needs and the capabilities of Microsoft Phone System. Here are some examples:
- Auto Attendant and Call Queues Requirements: If your business receives a high volume of incoming calls, you may need automated solutions to handle this traffic effectively. The auto attendant feature of Microsoft’s phone system can automatically answer, route or transfer calls based on a menu of options you set up. Furthermore, the Call Queues feature can hold calls when no receptionists are available, which can be useful in customer service scenarios.
- Compatibility with Non-Microsoft Systems: Suppose your organization already uses non-Microsoft Session Border Controllers. In this case, your requirement is to have a phone system that can seamlessly integrate with these incumbent technologies. Microsoft Phone System offers this compatibility.
- Voicemail: If your organizational requirement is to have voicemail services integrated directly into the user’s mailbox along with functionalities like missed call notification, voicemail transcription, and voicemail broadcasting, Microsoft Phone System’s voicemail feature fits this need.
- Emergency Calling: Organizations with safety as a prime concern, especially ones where mobile employees frequently work alone, could prioritize a phone system that accommodates emergency calls routed by location. Microsoft Phone System’s Emergency Calling feature serves this requirement.
In conclusion, understanding your organization’s requirements is the essential first step in mapping them to the correct Phone System’s features. It’s recommended to compile a list of features critical to your organization and then refer to the potential offerings of Microsoft Phone System. By recognizing and aligning these aspects, you can prepare effectively for the MS-100 Microsoft 365 Identity and Services exam and beyond, successfully adopting and managing the Microsoft Phone System in a real-world environment.
Practice Test
True or False: Phone System is not a feature of Microsoft
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Phone system is a feature of Microsoft 365 that provides PBX capabilities, including call control in Office 365, and replaces on-premises PBX.
Multiple select: Which of the following are features of Microsoft 365 Phone System?
- A. Voicemail
- B. Integrated faxing
- C. Call queues
- D. Call parking
Answer: A, C, D
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Phone System includes features such as voicemail, call queues, and call parking. However, integrated faxing is not a standard feature.
True or False: Microsoft 365 Phone System does not support Caller ID.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Phone System does indeed support Caller ID, among several other features.
Single select: What is required for Phone System direct routing?
- A. SIP trunk from a telecommunications provider
- B. A certified Session Border Controller (SBC)
- C. Specific subnets and network constructs
- D. Both A and B
Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: An enterprise will need a certified Session Border Controller (SBC) and SIP Trunk from a Telecom Provider to implement Phone System direct routing.
True or False: Microsoft Teams is integral for the use of the Microsoft 365 Phone System.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Teams is the hub for team collaboration in Microsoft 365, which also includes Phone System features.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are possible with Microsoft 365 Phone System’s call transfer feature?
- A. Transfer to another person
- B. Transfer to a call queue
- C. Transfer to voicemail
- D. Transfer to an external number
Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: All the given options are possible with Microsoft 365 Phone System’s call transfer feature.
Single Select: Which of the following licenses is required for Microsoft 365 Phone System?
- A. A standalone Phone System license
- B. Teams license
- C. Microsoft 365 E5 license
- D. Both A and C
Answer: D. Both A and C
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Phone System requires either a standalone phone system license or a Microsoft 365 E5 license.
True or False: You can use your own Session Border Controller (SBC) for direct routing with Microsoft 365 Phone System.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: With direct routing, you can use a telecom provider and SBC of your choice.
Single Select: Microsoft Teams Direct Routing can be paired with which of the following licenses?
- A. Calling Plan
- B. Operator Connect
- C. Teams Communications Credits
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Teams Direct Routing can be paired with Calling Plan, Operator Connect or Teams Communications Credits.
True or False: Auto Attendant and Call Queues are features only available with a Microsoft 365 E5 license.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Auto Attendant and Call Queues are features of the Microsoft 365 Phone System and are not exclusive to the E5 license.
Multiple select: Which of the following features does Auto Attendant offer?
- A. Call transfer to voicemail
- B. Call routing based on a schedule
- C. Faxing
- D. Call transfer to an extension
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: Auto Attendant provides automated call answering, transfer to voicemail, call routing based on schedule and call transfer to extensions. It does not support faxing.
Single select: For direct routing, Microsoft Teams need to be paired with which Session Border Controller (SBC)?
- A. Any SBC
- B. Cisco SBCs only
- C. Microsoft-certified SBCs
- D. There’s no need for an SBC
Answer: C. Microsoft-certified SBCs
Explanation: For direct routing, Microsoft Teams should be paired with a Microsoft-certified SBC.
True or False: Microsoft 365 Phone System includes audio conferencing.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Audio Conferencing in Office 365 allows users in your organization to create meetings with a dial-in number that users can call to join the meeting from a telephone.
Multiple Select: What are the key features of Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
- A. Ability to use existing telephony infrastructure
- B. Globally available
- C. Support for emergency calling
- D. Lower calling costs
Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: All the options are key features of Teams Direct Routing.
Single Select: What does the Microsoft 365 Phone System replace?
- A. Printer System
- B. PBX
- C. CRM
- D. ERP
Answer: B. PBX
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Phone System replaces on-premises PBX (Private Branch Exchange), a telephone system within an enterprise.
Interview Questions
What is the primary role of Microsoft 365 Phone System features in an organization’s communication system?
Microsoft 365 Phone System features provide organizations with modern cloud-based telephony solutions. They enable voice calls through Microsoft Teams, enabling users to make, receive, and transfer calls from anywhere, anytime.
Which licensing option is necessary for using Microsoft 365 Phone System?
The Microsoft 365 Phone System requires an E5 license or an add-on license to an existing E3.
What are the primary requirements for implementing the Microsoft 365 Phone System?
The primary requirements include having a supported subscription plan, assigning necessary licenses to users, and configuring a network capable of handling the increase in bandwidth.
What is Direct Routing in the context of Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Direct Routing allows organizations to connect their telecom voice trunks directly to Microsoft 365, enabling users to make and receive calls via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Can Microsoft Teams Room Systems be managed through Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Yes, Microsoft Teams Room Systems can indeed be managed through the Microsoft 365 Phone System, allowing for seamless integration and management of communication resources.
What is the role of Call Queues in Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Call Queues are used to distribute incoming calls to specific groups of users, often used in customer service and support settings.
How does Auto Attendant feature work in the Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Auto Attendant works as an automated receptionist that answers and navigates incoming calls based on pre-configured rules.
What does the Call Park service in Microsoft 365 Phone System offer?
Call Park service allows a user to place a call on hold and retrieve it from another phone at the organization.
What is meant by Operator Connect in Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Operator Connect is a feature where telecom operators can provide PSTN calling plans for Microsoft Teams, offering a simple and seamless experience to customers.
How does Location-Based routing work in Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Location-Based Routing allows control over the routing of voice calls based on the geographic location of the person making the call. It helps ensure compliance with specific rules and regulations in different regions.
Which encryption protocols does Microsoft 365 Phone System use?
Microsoft 365 Phone System uses Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) for media encryption and Transport Layer Security (TLS) for signal encryption.
What is the role of Session Border Controllers (SBCs) in the Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Session Border Controllers (SBCs) secure voice signal and media streams. They provide firewall traversal, security, and additional call control features.
How can an organization extend its on-premises PBX system to the Microsoft 365 Phone System?
The on-premises PBX system can connect to the Microsoft 365 Phone System through Direct Routing. A certified session border controller (SBC) will be required for this integration.
What is the purpose of Emergency Location Identification Number (ELIN) in Microsoft 365 Phone System?
The ELIN is used to identify the caller’s location during emergency calls. When a call is made, the ELIN is passed to the emergency operator so they can send assistance to the correct location.
Can you track usage and call quality in Microsoft 365 Phone System?
Yes, Microsoft 365 Phone System offers insightful reporting features that enable administrators to track system usage and call quality, making it easy to identify and fix any potential issues.