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3 minute read
The Brief: Cisco has introduced Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams, a new solution aimed at enhancing enterprise calling functionality within the Teams interface. This offering integrates Webex Calling—known for its 99.999% availability, robust feature set, and AI-powered enhancements—directly into the Teams environment. Designed to work seamlessly without interrupting the native Teams experience, this solution supports features such as presence synchronization, voicemail transcription, and upcoming AI-generated transcriptions and translations. Cisco also offers advanced capabilities like multi-call windows and a customer assistance module, with a simple, per-user pricing model. Cisco Call supports multiple deployment models, ensuring enterprises can migrate to the cloud on their terms.
Read full details of the announcement about Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams at blog.webex.com.
Source: WebexCisco Call for Microsoft Teams Leverages Webex for Enterprise Communication
Analyst Perspective: Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams addresses a common challenge faced by enterprises using Microsoft Teams for collaboration but requiring more advanced voice features. Through embedding Webex Calling within Teams, Cisco provides users with a single app experience and access to a broad feature set, including AI-powered tools and real-time call monitoring. The integration offers presence synchronization, E911 support, and enterprise-grade reliability without disrupting familiar workflows. The solution fits into Cisco’s broader cloud strategy, allowing customers to transition from legacy systems to the cloud gradually.
Source: WebexEnterprise-Grade Calling Experience Within Teams
Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams delivers full Webex Calling functionality directly into the Teams interface. End users interact with a single application—Teams—while benefiting from Cisco’s established voice capabilities, including an intuitive dial pad, voicemail transcription, and recent calls tracking. Presence status syncs between Teams and Webex, enabling users and colleagues to view accurate availability. This transparent integration eliminates the need for additional apps or branding elements, supporting a cohesive experience. With features like E911 and planned call recording capabilities, the solution supports compliance and employee safety. All calling activities are embedded into the familiar Teams interface to maintain continuity and reduce training needs across enterprises.
Advanced Tools for Power Users and Call Centers
Cisco Call introduces functionality designed for users managing multiple lines or high call volumes. A new multi-call window enables efficient call handling from a compact, repositionable interface. Teams users can access this directly from the calling dock, simplifying navigation between calls. Additionally, Webex Calling Customer Assist brings real-time queue monitoring and supervisor tools into Teams. Features like agent monitoring, queue analytics, and planned sentiment analysis allow organizations to manage customer interactions effectively. This integrated solution removes the need for a separate contact center and is priced at $30 per user per year (CSRP), delivering enterprise-level support within budget constraints.
Source: WebexAI Capabilities at No Additional Cost
Included AI features enhance Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams without adding licensing complexity. Capabilities such as real-time closed captions, transcriptions, translations, and post-call summaries are expected soon, improving accessibility and comprehension during calls. Cisco’s Audio Intelligence tools, like background noise removal and Webex AI Codec, ensure call clarity even on limited networks. These tools are bundled with the Webex Calling Professional license, avoiding incremental costs. Through removing barriers to AI adoption and embedding these enhancements into the existing platform, Cisco addresses growing enterprise expectations around intelligent communications.
Source: WebexSimplified Cloud Migration and Centralized Management
Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams supports flexible deployment models, including Cisco UCM, Webex Calling, and Webex for BroadWorks, allowing businesses to migrate to the cloud at their own pace. The consistent user experience across platforms ensures that transitions are minimally disruptive. Control Hub enables centralized management and visibility across all calling activities, reducing IT overhead. This model helps organizations modernize voice infrastructure without the risks associated with abrupt platform changes. Cisco’s long standing experience in voice systems, combined with scalable cloud architecture, positions this solution for global enterprise rollouts.
Conclusion: Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams Bridges Gaps in Enterprise Communication
Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams is a strategic enhancement to the existing Cisco and Microsoft collaboration ecosystem. Through leveraging Webex Calling, it addresses notable gaps in Microsoft Teams’ native calling capabilities, providing enterprise-grade features that were previously unavailable. This solution is particularly beneficial for businesses that need advanced call handling, seamless customer support tools, and strong AI-powered features, without the need for additional software or hardware investments. While the integration of complex features can present challenges in migration and adoption, Cisco’s commitment to a seamless user experience, backed by cloud migration support and AI capabilities, mitigates these issues. As businesses continue transitioning to cloud-based solutions, Cisco Call for Microsoft Teams ensures an intuitive, comprehensive solution tailored to large-scale operations.
