Operator Connect is quickly capturing the attention of countless business leaders and partners in the Microsoft ecosystem. Introduced as an alternative “Bring Your Own Carrier” solution to the popular Direct Routing method, Operator Connect aims to simplify the process of building a Microsoft Teams UCaaS environment.
With Operator Connect, telecom providers partner with Microsoft to deliver PSTN services to the Microsoft Teams ecosystem. The deep level of integration means end-users can view the services and phone numbers available from within the Teams Admin Centre, removing the need for a third-party portal for communications.
There are a number of specific technical and contractual requirements that need to be met by carriers wanting to join Operator Connect, so Microsoft introduced the Operator Connect Accelerator programme to address this issue.
What is Operator Connect Accelerator?
Operator Connect Accelerator is a programme created by Microsoft, allowing certain partners to help carriers become certified for Operator Connect.
There are only a handful of operators on Operator Connect, but many more are going through the certification process. Being approved for Operator Connect requires the companies to go through stringent technology and performance checks, as well as configure an approved native integration to Microsoft’s network.
While carriers can choose to handle everything themselves, some will need assistance – particularly if they are not used to working with Microsoft.
Operator Connect Accelerator Partners help to address the gaps in a company’s technology or skill arsenal so that they can reach accreditation much faster.
Tips for Choosing an Operator Connect Accelerator Partner
The key to choosing the right Operator Connect Accelerator partner is ensuring they have a strong understanding of the Teams ecosystem and a comprehensive toolset capable of addressing common Operator Connect program problems. The best partners should offer access to:
- Comprehensive insights and reporting for different users
- Rolling SIP, IoT, and API update systems
- Professional services for custom integrations
- Flexible SBC public/private cloud deployments
- Integrations with powerful, flexible toolsets
“Operator Connect uses the Teams Admin Center to make it easy for businesses to find a service provider. Carrier Automate extends that digital engagement model with digital forms, automated responses, and intuitive workflows so prospects are immediately engaged and routed to the right sales team.
I truly believe our solution is best in class. We have been able to draw on our years of experience of working with Microsoft and delivering our world-leading DRaaS solution, Call2Teams. Ribbon’s market-leading SBC services are integrated seamlessly with our Carrier Automate cloud management and API bridging, so operators have a complete offering. As a Microsoft Accelerator Partner, the solution is pre-engineered and pre-certified. When a Carrier has gone through the Azure Peering we can get a partner to market in a few weeks.”
– Mark Herbert, Head of Partner Innovation, Dstny Automate
While there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for choosing the ultimate partner, companies should consider a few points when investing in the Operator Connect Accelerator Program.
- A Strong Connection with Microsoft
Microsoft has a handful of approved partners for the Operator Connect Accelerator program. These operators have been certified to deliver exceptional onboarding and support services in line with the requirements of the Operator Connect ecosystem. While it’s possible to work with an un-certified partner, certified solutions offer a higher reliability level.
For instance, companies like Ribbon and Dstny are certified by Microsoft to deliver Operator Connect to service providers. Thanks to a deep relationship with Microsoft, these teams can offer a complete solution for Operator Connect, which complies with the requirements for Teams telephony.
- Convenient toolsets
The primary purpose of working with an Operator Connect Accelerator partner is it provides business leaders and vendors with an opportunity to reduce the burden on their team when leveraging Operator Connect. To take part in the Operator Connect program, companies need to be able to address specific SBC capabilities, API integrations, and onboarding processes.
The correct Operator Connect Accelerator partner will be able to reduce the burden on communication providers with a variety of high-level tools and services. These should include UC API bridging features, customer provisioning and compliance management tools, managed network operations, and flexible policy and call routing options.
- Exceptional Professional Services
Different communication providers may have different requirements from an Operator Connect Accelerator partner. Many operators turn to partners in the Microsoft ecosystem for help bridging their APIs or setting up a specific cloud-native SBC infrastructure. Accelerator partners can also assist with verification and managed network solutions.
A wide range of professional services offered by an accelerator partner will ensure business leaders can access the specialist skills, consulting, and technical knowledge they need to overcome the issues of joining Operator Connect.
- Speed and simplicity
The purpose of the Operator Connect Accelerator program is to reduce the time it takes to bring a new Operator Connect solution to market. A self-build strategy can take around 18 months on average to implement and often requires additional investment in knowledge and expertise. What’s more, self-service solutions also usually require third-party certification.
Alternatively, the right Operator Connect Accelerator can fast-track the onboarding process, reducing the time involved in going to market by several months. Business leaders gain access to flexible SBC deployments, industry experts (so fewer consultations are required) and better cost savings. Plus, certification is included as part of the package.
- Future proofing
Finally, an Operator Connect Accelerator partner should be able to help any communications vendor or provider to ensure their solution remains consistent and powerful for the years to come. As the Microsoft Teams environment continues to evolve, APIs and integrations will need to be kept up-to-date, according to the agreement in place with Microsoft.
