We’re seeing a growing demand for digitally-enhanced, versatile, and collaborative workplaces in every industry. The rise of hybrid and remote work means the cloud is quickly becoming the new “hub” for productivity among distributed staff. Specifically, tools like Microsoft Teams offer an all-in-one environment where employees can connect, share knowledge, and innovate with colleagues.
Over a quarter of a million monthly active users take advantage of Microsoft Teams to improve productivity. However, among these customers are a wide variety of different institutions, all with their own specific functionality, security, and privacy needs.
Microsoft offers different versions of the “Microsoft 365” productivity suite, with Microsoft Teams to specific groups. For instance, there’s a Microsoft 365 version for Commercial users, Education users, and even the “Government Community”.
Microsoft GCC High is one of the most secure and compliant tools on the market for Government entities with specific regulatory requirements.
What is Microsoft 365 GCC High?
In its quest to deliver collaboration and productivity tools to people from every background, Microsoft has introduced several versions of its software for Government groups. Microsoft designed the basic “Government Community” or GCC solution for government users needing “data residency” controls, which allows for managing locations where data is stored.
Microsoft built 365 “DOD” specifically for the Department of Defence, built on Azure Level 5 “authorisation for impact” environment. However, this cloud only allowed access to DOD personnel, preventing the addition of outside entities. GCC High was born to deliver a higher level of security to government agencies while still providing cloud access to external agencies and contractors.
GCC High copies the DOD cloud environment used by cleared personnel and meets with FedRAMP high impact requirements. However, this environment allows for slightly more flexibility than the standard DOD environment. GCC High is the only offering by Microsoft to ensure data can be kept in US-only data centres. Moreover, the environment is supported by background-checked US citizens – crucial for government groups.
What Can Users do With Microsoft 365 GCC High?
Microsoft 365 GCC High offers access to all of the features Microsoft users love in a safe and secure environment. The solution provides access to productivity tools from the Microsoft Office suite and Microsoft Teams for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Most importantly, GCC High comes with exclusive benefits like:
- Rational separation of important business content.
- Storage and management of data and content within the US.
- Screening for any Microsoft staff member with access to the content you collect.
- Full compliance with public sector security and privacy requirements.
Companies must be classified as government organisations to be eligible for a GCC High license. Eligibility can also extend to organisations working with any type of data which might fall under strict government guidelines.
Like all Microsoft 365 licenses, the GCC High product set constantly evolves to deliver new features and functionality to users. However, the level of regulation around GCC High user accounts means it can sometimes take a little longer for certain features to become available within this ecosystem, such as “direct routing” for Teams voice.
Moreover, because the security and compliance maintained by the GCC High environment are so significant, any partners offering enhancements to Microsoft assets, like voice for Teams, need to be evaluated according to the most stringent standards.
Accessing Teams Voice for GCC High
As more government groups have continued to shift their operations and communications into the cloud with Microsoft GCC High, the demand for features like Teams Voice has skyrocketed. Government groups want to be able to connect with colleagues using more than online voice and video conferencing. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t offer its Calling Plans to GCC High clients.
To bridge the gap, Microsoft added the Direct Routing feature to the Microsoft ecosystem for high-security government groups, giving these entities the freedom to leverage a range of new benefits.
Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams GCC High users allows government groups to join in team meetings and collaboration sessions from any phone device without needing an internet connection. This is particularly crucial in environments where team members may not be able to access a typical computer or internet-connected smartphone.
Direct Routing allows users to join an audio conference simply by dialling the given number for the organisation on a standard phone. Additionally, team leaders can effectively dial out to team members’ phones from within a meeting.
“Voice-enabled Microsoft 365 GCC High fills a void in the government sector that has many limitations,” noted CallTower CRO William Rubio. “A provider was needed to enable and remove these limitations, so government agencies and government contractors to easily connect and collaborate.”
The challenge for groups keen to take advantage of the flexibility and freedom offered by direct routing in Microsoft Teams was finding a direct routing provider capable of adhering to their unique compliance, security, and performance needs.
Implementing Teams Voice with CallTower
Recognising a growing demand for direct routing communications within Microsoft 365 GCC High, the innovators at CallTower resolved to create a solution for compliant, high-quality calling. Partnering with the experts at Agile IT, Call Tower began a state-of-the-art compliant VoIP solution built on Agile’s high-compliance foundation for GCC High companies.
Working together, CallTower and Agile were able to create an alternative to internet-based calling options within Microsoft Teams. The solution enables contractors and DoD professionals to remain compliant with all CMMC and ITAR requirements while ensuring they can continue taking full advantage of Microsoft Teams’ benefits.
Currently, CallTower is the only voice provider partnering with Microsoft to deliver a direct routing solution specifically in support of Microsoft 365 GCC High customers. The platform and network have been fully optimised for voice and require no extra network or edge equipment. Using CallTower’s technology, government groups can easily re-route phone calls to other communication devices whenever necessary.
Finally, high-security government groups can stay compliant and unlock Microsoft Teams’ potential for efficient, innovative collaboration.
