Webex Calling vs Microsoft Teams Voice for your collaboration needs

November 9, 2023
Neal Marksberry
Solutions Enablement Manager

Collaboration solutions have become increasingly popular in response to the rise of hybrid work environments. Companies searching for a high-quality voice solution will want to explore Webex Calling vs Microsoft Teams Voice. These two solutions offer high-quality video and voice calling, messaging, and collaboration tools in secure and seamless platforms that span devices.

But how do you decide which collaboration solution is ideal for your business? Let’s explore the specifics and distinctions of Webex Calling vs Microsoft Teams Voice.

Both offer comparable services, so it’s essential to examine the details of each service and analyze them side by side. Once you understand the differences, you can choose an implementation partner that helps you install, optimize, and manage the solution in a way that aligns with your organization’s unique needs and key business outcomes.

Webex Calling vs MS Teams Voice: Where to begin?

Comparing Webex Calling vs MS Teams Voice, both offer similar functionality, so assessing your organization’s communication needs is essential before deciding.

Factors to consider include your current communication systems, the features your company requires, your IT budget, and the resources you have available for managing communications security. If your enterprise is already using Microsoft Teams or other Microsoft tools, enabling Teams Phone can be straightforward. Teams integrates easily with the Microsoft Office Suite and is compatible with hundreds of third-party Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, making it a seamless addition to your existing workflow.

On the other hand, Webex comes with a pre-installed Voice solution and integrates well with other Cisco products like Webex-integrated cameras or meeting rooms. This simplifies switching between voice, messaging, and video conferencing.

If your organization already uses communication solutions from Microsoft, Cisco, or other providers—or if you’re looking to transition from a legacy phone system—consulting with an experienced IT partner can help you explore your options and integrate them with your existing systems.

Telephony

Microsoft Teams Voice

Microsoft Teams may be the perfect choice for organizations that need calling support within the company’s directory. However, if you need to make outside calls, you must enable the Microsoft Phone system.

The MS Teams Phone system offers several calling plans, including Direct Routing, which is ideal for large companies that require a high degree of flexibility. Operator Connect is Microsoft’s latest in Voice connectivity options and offers a feature-rich environment like Direct Routing while enabling deeper integration and controls within Teams Admin Center.

The Microsoft Teams Phone system:

  • Fully integrates with Microsoft Office products like Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
  • Has ability to create custom workflows and applications within the platform using low-code solution PowerApps.
  • Provides an intuitive platform for making, receiving, and managing calls.
  • Includes various features like unlimited local and long-distance calling, intelligent call routing, call parking, auto attendants, and advanced admin and management controls.

Read more: Simplify your Microsoft Teams Voice migration with CBTS professional services workshops

Webex Calling

Webex telephony features:

  • Hosts calls on a VoIP business phone system with end-to-end encryption, allowing users to reach their business phone number from any device. Webex telephony features include:
  • Offers unlimited calling with a basic account and advanced performance and security for users utilizing legacy Cisco endpoints.
  • Integrates with hundreds of Cisco and third-party applications, including Microsoft Teams.
  • Advanced call management tools such as call merging, transfers, visual voicemail, and more.

Read more: Upgrade to future-proof phone services with Webex Calling

Meetings

Microsoft Teams Voice

With the scheduling tools integrated into the Calendars tab in Teams, scheduling sessions has never been more accessible. Live transcription is also available in six different languages, and each meeting generates a unique tab for collaboration purposes. Additionally, there are many engagement tools, including virtual backgrounds, screen sharing, whiteboards, and hand raising. The speech coaching feature also allows users to receive real-time feedback on their presentation skills. 

Webex Calling

Webex Calling is also an excellent solution for hosting company-wide meetings and seminars with video conferencing. It can accommodate up to 1,000 participants for 24 hours and integrates with popular scheduling apps such as Google Calendar and Microsoft 365. The engagement tools in Webex Calling include polls, Q&A functionality, picture-in-picture, and whiteboards. An immersive screen sharing feature allows speakers to customize their backgrounds over a slideshow or image. 

The AI-driven transcription in Webex Calling automatically saves meeting notes in the Cloud and creates searchable keywords and meeting recaps. Gesture recognition technology is also available, translating hand gestures into emoji responses. Finally, the high-quality noise removal feature optimizes the speaker’s voice, even in noisy environments.

Security

Top-of-the-line security measures are more critical than ever. Organizations can expect integrated security features when choosing between Webex Calling vs Microsoft Teams Voice.

Microsoft Teams Voice

  • Enterprise-grade security that shares its security foundation across the Microsoft suite—thus minimizing the risk of data breaches.
  • Integration with compliance tools and management systems.
  • Hands-off approach to security, with most features already included in the platform.

Webex Calling

  • End-to-end encryption for all communications makes it an excellent option for organizations with robust security teams.
  • Advanced admin configurations available to the entire organization.
  • Smaller companies with smaller IT teams may need additional resources for training and management. They can also consider seeking support from a managed security services provider such as CBTS.

Read more: Optimizing security for your UCaaS solutions

Collaboration

Microsoft Teams Voice

The Microsoft Teams next-generation messaging platform lets your team quickly organize chat groups based on department, location, or project.

  • Chat message translation into over 35 languages.
  • Activity tab that makes it easy to catch up quickly.
  • Secure file sharing integrated with Microsoft Cloud platforms, such as SharePoint and OneDrive, allowing you to work simultaneously on files within the Microsoft suite.
  • Optimized workflow with hundreds of built-in apps for polls, forms, and project management or integration with hundreds of other SaaS tools via API.

Webex Calling

Webex calling is an excellent option for those who want to utilize personal devices to make calls from their business number, message colleagues, and share files with end-to-end encryption through Webex Go. Features include:

  • Implementation with devices such as cameras, Wi-Fi gateways, and monitors.
  • Ability to seamlessly add equipment like a softphone or headset into the workflow..
  • Integration with hundreds of applications (including Teams) lets users stay within the Webex app and reduces time spent navigating between tabs or applications.

Analytics and admin tools

Microsoft Teams Voice

  • Access valuable data insights through real-time reports, call quality dashboards, and activity logs.
  • Use reliability and usage reports, surveys, and charts to understand enterprise-wide call quality and performance better.

Webex Calling

  • With the Control Hub, a single pane of glass dashboard, administrators gain greater visibility and oversight by creating and tracking custom analytics.
  • Manage real-time KPIs, monitor employee engagement call quality, and gain insights with interactive data visualization.
  • The Engagement tab provides a dedicated space to chart the usage of each channel and identify any performance issues.

A vendor-agnostic partner

Looking at Webex Calling vs Microsoft Teams Voice, both offer robust collaboration tools, high-quality video and audio calls, and a wealth of integrations to tailor the platform to your organization’s communication needs. Ultimately, choosing between the two depends on your company’s current communication situation and the goals you want to achieve through the migration.

The key benefit of choosing Webex Calling or MS Teams Voice is their ability to seamlessly integrate with your company’s workflows without causing significant disruptions. Seeking the help of a managed service provider like CBTS, who can assist in selecting and implementing the new systems, will ensure a smooth and successful transition for your company.

CBTS has extensive experience planning, managing, and implementing unified communications solutions, Contact Center as a Service, and security solutions. Our highly certified professionals will guide you through every step of the process, from choosing the best platform to optimizing it for your short and long-term goals and managing it for the long haul.

If you’re unsure which plan is correct, an implementation partner like CBTS can help you customize a plan tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of Webex Calling vs MS Teams Voice.

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