To deliver cloud voice services.
Telstra and Microsoft have partnered to deliver native voice calling services from the Microsoft cloud with the launch of Telstra Calling for Office 365 in Australia.
Telstra Calling for Office 365 will be available for business customers from mid-2018. It lets customers easily and securely access cloud collaboration combined with voice infrastructure services, as Telstra calling plans are supported directly from Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams.
More than 200 Telstra customers have been taking part in a preview program over the last six months. In addition, over 30 Telstra customers and partners are currently participating in an Early Adopter Program and realising the benefits of moving their voice services to the cloud, with members of the trial group saying it empowers their employees to adopt a truly modern way of working.
Telstra executive director of global products, Michelle Bendschneider said employees want to connect in lots of different ways without the hassle of disparate systems.
“Telstra Calling for Office 365 brings the full scope of Office 365’s cloud productivity and collaboration apps, including video conferencing and meeting broadcast capabilities, alongside Telstra voice calling. By combining what have traditionally been separate collaboration channels, we’re helping to increase productivity while simplifying the experience for employees,” she said.
Microsoft Australia chief operating officer, Rachel Bondi said, “We’re excited to be partnering with Telstra to bring this pure cloud offering to our customers in Australia and enabling all components of our modern workplace solution with the addition of voice services. Telstra Calling for Office 365 is a unique solution to enable cloud voice within Office 365 and is testament to the strong partnership our two organisations have built over many years”.
Commenting on the collaboration benefits of the solution for Enterprise customers, GlobalData Asia Pacific, director of research, Dustin Kehoe said Office 365 plus Telstra’s voice network combines a carrier-grade service with Microsoft collaboration platforms. “The result is a rich user experience. Business grade voice coupled with collaboration apps, like Office 365, will accelerate the migration from traditional services, such as an IP PBX, to the cloud.”
Caption: Michelle Bendschneider and Rachel Bondi