DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) might not be the latest technology in the communications market, but it’s still among the most commonly used. The DECT market is still growing at a phenomenal rate, particularly as companies continue to invest in more flexible, mobile tools for their distributed workers.
For companies using a Microsoft Teams environment for UCaaS, the good news is Microsoft has taken steps to ensure DECT technology is compatible with its ecosystem. During Enterprise Connect in March 2022, Microsoft announced it can now support DECT native integration, via a SIP gateway.
What’s more, Microsoft already has partnerships with various market leading DECT providers, including Poly, Spectralink, Gigaset, Yealink, and Ascom. All of these vendors have invested in creating powerful DECT solutions specifically for Microsoft Teams.
The Use Cases for DECT in Microsoft Teams
For companies already using DECT handsets via a SBC (Session Border Controller) and brands keeping their legacy PBX system running in parallel with the Teams Phone environment, it’s now possible to add DECT handsets to a deployment, just like an ordinary desk phone.
However, for many organizations, it may be worth exploring the potential use cases for these devices first. For a while now, many business leaders have been dithering over switching away from DECT phones completely, so they can embrace the benefits of softphone mobile apps. However, for the most part, DECT has proven itself to be a consistently beneficial tool for specific use cases.
While soft phone solutions may work in certain scenarios, there are also a multitude of use cases where a DECT phone can deliver more security, reliability, and protection. The top use cases for DECT in Microsoft Teams include:
1. Warehouse Operations
In the standard warehouse, most people aren’t tied to a specific desk where they can make calls through a corded phone. They’re reliant on mobile solutions to keep them connected to colleagues and contacts while still on the move. While a standard mobile device offers this flexibility, it often lacks the durability required for a fast-paced warehouse environment.
Employees on forklifts and working with machinery can easily lose their devices and cause irreparable damage. This is where rugged devices built for Microsoft Teams with DECT technology can be particularly useful. Tools like the Spectralink 75 series are designed with warehouse and factory environments in mind.
These reliable devices come with a range of crucial features including automatic key lock, speaker automatic answering, vibration mode, display flash, and alerts for low coverage and battery. The products are both drop and dust proof, and more portable than the standard desk phone.
2. Healthcare
In hospitals, care homes, clinics, and other health-focused environments, there are a lot of additional regulations and compliance policies in place which don’t always affect the average worker. As a result, the tools, and systems in use within healthcare environments need to be designed carefully.
The most effective phones for the healthcare space come with niche functionality and features, such as a disinfectant-resistant coating and automatic alarms. Products like the phones in the Spectralink 77 series are designed specifically for healthcare employees in mind.
These phones come with pre-built integrations for healthcare tools like equipment monitoring and nurse call systems, as well as tear-off pull cord strings for emergency notifications. There are automatic alarms and “man-down” triggers, as well as waterproofing elements in place. Users even get an easy-to-clean keypad membrane for hygiene.
3. Retail
Retail employees spend a lot of time moving around an environment, interacting with, and engaging customers. They can’t always rush back to the front of the store to answer a call. In these scenarios, it’s important to have a system in place which allows employees to answer overflow calls, or direct them to other available members of staff.
Fortunately, DECT phones designed for Microsoft Teams can help to direct calls to the right employee in an instant, reducing the risk of missed opportunities. The Poly Rove devices, for instance, offer roaming between bases, wall mounting options, and basic calling functions. They’re designed to help teams in the retail space share the load of customer service, to ensure every client gets a consistent and valuable experience.
4. Security
Although some pop culture references seem to depict security guards as individuals spending most of their time behind a desk, this is rarely the case. Supervising people, buildings, and events is one of the most mobile jobs out there, and it requires a phone system that can keep up. Whether they’re completing routing rounds or responding to alerts, security teams need a way to maintain instant communication with each other.
Microsoft Teams already comes with features specifically designed for these on-the-move employees, such as walkie-talkie capabilities for internal communications. There’s also the option to build-in external communication options too. This ensures team members can consult with local police, emergency services, and other subject matter experts.
Handsets designed for Microsoft Teams with DECT functionality can be excellent for the security landscape. Products designed by market leaders like Poly and Spectralink come pre-built with long-lasting batteries and state-of-the-art voice quality, so no-one has to compromise on communications.
Choosing DECT Phones for Microsoft Teams
While mobile apps and BYOD solutions with softphone capabilities might be suitable for some use cases, there are still various environments which rely heavily on access to the right DECT phones. Microsoft’s decision to support DECT Phones with Teams now makes it easier for any business to build the handsets they need into their communication workflow.
As of September 2022, Microsoft had already introduced a range of handset devices available from both Poly and Spectralink. By the end of 2022, Gigaset, Yealink, and Ascom will be introducing their own dedicated devices for the Teams ecosystem. Each vendor offers a range of solutions for niche use cases, as well as entry-level products for budget-conscious companies looking to support basic mobility and calling features.
