Microsoft recently announced it would release a series of cost-effective IP phones, seemingly providing a line of direct competition for the companies that typically develop hardware for Microsoft. This includes the likes of Poly, AudioCodes, and Yealink. But the major difference between what Microsoft's introduced to the market is that the devices come equipped with physical buttons, rather than a touchscreen display, making them less sophisticated for users.
This separates these devices from what would be direct competitors with companies like AudioCodes - but it does provide a cheaper alternative, that might entice some companies to go with Microsoft-developed devices, over third-party, more advanced offerings, depending on the use case, that is. I asked Mohamed Alaa Saayed, ICT Industry Director, Frost & Sullivan, why he thought the collaboration giant went through all the trouble of developing a single user interface (UI) across all certified Teams endpoints only to intro support for third-party basic endpoints? He told me:
"While the user experience of Microsoft-certified phones will continue to exceed the experience of standard open SIP phones - the move doesn't surprise me"
He continued, adding in a statement, Microsoft-certified phone shipments are relatively modest when compared to other Microsoft-certified devices such as speakers and headsets in the first place. Would this anger the Poly and Yealink? Saayed shared, he thinks both vendors might actually enjoy the extended support now offered by Microsoft.
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Alaa Saayed[/caption]
Microsoft's new affordable Teams IP and USB phones will extend a faster route to adopting Microsoft Teams for smaller businesses that wish to gain the power that Microsoft Teams can unleash within an organization - but they can achieve that on a reduced budget. The devices look like a basic desk phone and come equipped with a handset and dialpad, along with a screen where users can scroll through relevant information. There's even a dedicated Teams button, although the USB solution doesn’t have a dedicated network connection.
The perk, in the end, is affordability, and ease of access for those looking to migrate to the Microsoft Teams environment via a simple-to-operate dialpad and a Microsoft Teams modern user interface, with a modest screen. He does not suppose that this will provide 'any actual competition' for Poly and Yealink, because both vendors are leading names in the open SIP phone space, adding:
"At the end of the day, customers who still want a superior UI will go with Microsoft-certified phones, while there are now alternatives for those who only need phones for core calling"
Zeus Kerravala, Founder and Principal Analyst, ZK Research, told me in a recent interview, the phones, will be good for Microsoft Teams users. "Microsoft needs some lower-cost phones; because customers buy a wide range of them." He also believes SMBs will enjoy the offering, adding: "Even larger companies want lower-cost phones for lobbies, temporary workspaces, etc. For SMBs, the current set prices them out of the needs of many customers."
It shows that Microsoft is starting to understand the market a bit better, he continued. "It seemed like Microsoft thought all companies wanted to work like Microsoft, but that isn't the case." Until recently, Kerravala added, Microsoft has mainly focused on knowledge workers. If the company wants to become a mainstream telephony vendor - it needs to think more broadly, and this is a solid start." In an email statement, a Microsoft spokesperson told me about the availability:
