1. In the July update for Microsoft Teams Room version 4.5.35.0, a new feature known as Direct Guest Join was released that allows MTR devices to join Cisco Webex meetings directly without any gateway or cloud interop service. This feature expands the capabilities of Teams Room Devices and allows interoperability with Cisco Webex meetings with one.
2. Webex delivers pre-built integrations with the tools you use every day, such as Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce. Other integrations can be set up using the Webex App Hub to connect your teamwork with the work happening in tools such as ServiceNow, Trello, Asana, and Jira. Learn more about Webex integrations Explore more collaboration solutions.

Both Teams and Webex are products of the behemoth companies, Microsoft and Cisco, which has zero tolerance for compromise in security. Both Microsoft and Cisco have taken respective steps to strengthen security for Teams and Webex, respectively. Microsoft Teams comes with. Introducing New MS Teams and Webex Integrations. At PeterConnects we are very excited to show you a new suite of solutions that have been in development for some time. In this blog we would like to introduce our new Receptionist integrations for Microsoft Teams and Cisco’s Webex Teams.

Have you integrated Cisco Webex Device with Microsoft Teams? In my experience, Webex devices and participants with devices in Personal mode invited to a Microsoft Teams meeting can join the meeting directly from their devices with One Button to Push. For more details, you can refer to.

At PeterConnects we are very excited to show you a new suite of solutions that have been in development for some time.

In this blog we would like to introduce our new Receptionist integrations for Microsoft Teams and Cisco’s Webex Teams. We will also outline our Hybrid Configurations and License Management platforms.

PeterConnects Cloud: Designed For Continuous Delivery Our cloud platform, which launched last year, now has hundreds of users. A futureproof platform designed for continuous delivery, it was built using Microservices architecture – which comprises small autonomous components that are loosely coupled.

In this way it’s different from traditional and larger systems as we can add, replace, and scale different process elements as needed. If one component fails, another can easily take over.

We also support automatic provisioning – meaning new users can be added via an automated process without manual actions – and handle all operation, fixes and updates (so customers and partners don’t need to worry about technical details).

Both secure by design and GDPR-compliant, our cloud service can support 0Auth 2.0 single sign on – compatible with both Microsoft and Cisco. With all of the measures in place, we were able to use it to create a new Unified Communications app with a single, customisable user interface – one that works across BroadWorks, Webex teams, and Microsoft Teams – through a single platform.

Microsoft Teams: Integrating Receptionist With A Multi-Layered Approach

Right now, Microsoft Teams is experiencing a wave of uptake by businesses as they adopt remote working. However, those on the frontline of calls and communications can enjoy a streamlined omnichannel process as our Receptionist console can now be fully integrated with Microsoft Teams.

Soon available in the platform’s app store, it’s aimed at those using Microsoft’s calling plans and direct routing telephony into Teams. One of the service’s main features is that it also connects to Microsoft 365 – using all available APIs – which enables the best possible user experience, as users can handle calls in a Microsoft environment. It also means that they can pull in Office 365 calendars and personal contacts’ details.

Webex Teams: Similar, But With Key Differences

While the Webex application is very similar to its Microsoft Teams counterpart in many ways, but there are some key differences.

Firstly users need to have a Webex calling license to get started. Those that do can log in via Cisco’s single sign on function. New subscribers can choose one of three packages: Essential, Advanced, and Premium.

The biggest difference from Microsoft Teams, however, is that the Receptionist console itself runs in a browser – in conjunction with Cisco phones and soft clients.

The service can be accessed easily via Cisco’s App Hub, but it won’t be part of the same environment – at least not when it launches in Q3 this year (TBC). While it’s co-hosted by both PeterConnects and Cisco, Webex Teams users and partners will see a single transparent solution.

Hybrid Configurations: Enabling Diverse Functionality

A lot of the diverse functionality we can offer right now comes from the fact we can combine services run both on-premise and in the cloud – Hybrid Configurations – across numerous Unified Communications platforms.

This is in part thanks to the Microservices architecture in our own server. As we can host so many connectors, we have a unique ability to have solutions from many different providers. This is what enables us to run both integrated and browser applications in a single ‘pane of glass’. Essentially, we could run a version of Webex Receptionist with a Microsoft Teams presence.

Go Live Dates Planned, But Delays Possible

While we’re working hard to ensure all of our new offerings are available as soon as possible, the current pandemic means that there could be some delay in bringing them to market.

As it currently stands, we’re hopeful we can make our first commercial release of Webex Teams in June or July. Our Microsoft Teams integration and Hybrid Configurations will launch in the second half of 2020.

If you or your customers would like to be a part of our initial wave for any of these solutions, please either contact your PeterConnects partner or get in touch with us directly.

In the pre-COVID era, the collaboration software market was only growing at a decent pace. In 2020, it grew exponentially when the world was put under lockdown. While stuck in the quarantine, we all diligently used collaboration platforms, more than ever before. It took a pandemic to realize the vital importance of collaboration technology. It has allowed everyone to stay connected in testing times. Be it professional communication or personal ones, it has helped conversations get going. A crop of collaboration platforms became popular overnight including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, and more.

All these products were lying under the radar under the gamut of products from their parent companies. Today, these collaboration software drive maximum attention and are flagship products for them.

Webex Quick User Guide

Interestingly, the two big brands Cisco and Microsoft coming with reputed products: Teams and Webex. How will you determine the best collaboration platform for your organization?

We have already compared Microsoft Teams vs Zoom in our previous posts. In this article, we look to provide a feature comparison of Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex.

Let us compare the basic features of Teams vs Webex:

Looking at the table above, it seems that both Teams and Webex have all basic features. In other words, no important feature for a smooth collaboration is missing in either of the platforms. Now, we must compare enhanced features by digging deeper into the products to find differentiation.

Teams vs Webex: Telephony feature comparison

One of the standout features in the comparison between Teams vs WebEx is the way telephony solutions are offered on either platform. Microsoft offers Teams with Phone System, a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) solution for businesses with Microsoft 365 for an integrated cloud solution.

Cisco takes a different approach to fit every type of customer requirement: on-premises or one-tenant platforms hosted by a partner, and Webex calling for small and midsize organizations. Cisco’s partners including West, IntelePeer, and ThinkTel offer the PSTN access for Webex.

Teams vs Webex Pricing Comparison

Determining pricing as per the licensing requirements can be a bit perplexing for Teams vs Webex comparison. When we look at the bare minimum pricing to get started with the platform, Microsoft Teams has a clear advantage. Microsoft Teams is also available for free with limited features, allowing anyone to get a taste of it without paying anything. If one gets the bare minimum Microsoft Office 365 subscription (Microsoft 365 Business Basic at $5/user), the features unavailable in the free version can be unlocked. Higher the Office 365 plan, the better the features with Microsoft Teams. Though Cisco Webex also offers a free version, in comparison, Microsoft Teams offers far more generous features in the free version. Cisco Webex’s cheapest plan starts with $13.50 per user per month and calling service add-ons would be priced extra. When you must decide between Teams vs Webex with cost as a factor, Microsoft Teams wins hands down.

Teams vs Webex Security Comparison

When it came to comparing Zoom with Teams, security was a pertinent problem in Zoom. This is the reason many large organizations shied away from using Zoom. But what is the case when comparing Teams vs Webex for security?

Both Teams and Webex are products of the behemoth companies, Microsoft and Cisco, which has zero tolerance for compromise in security. Both Microsoft and Cisco have taken respective steps to strengthen security for Teams and Webex, respectively.

Microsoft Teams comes with Office 365 platform. It enjoys high-level encryption and enterprise-grade security built for the rest of Office 365. Office 365 Enterprise comes with premium security features (eDiscovery, Archiving, Legal Hold, Retention) which will be required for compliance such as HIPAA, GDPR, and more. Overall, Microsoft invests $1 billion every year in its bid for robust security.

Similarly, Cisco Webex Teams has a huge number of certifications that attest to their security promise. Like Microsoft Teams, it has compliance features such as eDiscovery, unique device PINs, idle time, content retention flexibility, and more. Marginally more control for the end-users is available in Webex, while it may be troublesome for uninitiated or IT admins if they have a strict organizational policy as compared to the end-users.

Teams vs Webex Integration with Other Software

Microsoft Teams is tightly integrated with all other Microsoft products due to the Office 365 ecosystem. If you use Microsoft Office along with Teams, it would be smooth user experience. Though Cisco has a long list of applications that can be installed and integrated from the App Hub store, Microsoft Teams is built for better integration with third-party applications.

Webex Microsoft Teams Comparison

Microsoft Teams vs Webex: Suggestions or Recommendations?

If you are looking for a simple answer, there is obviously difficult to pick a firm winner because there are a number of factors in selecting the right collaboration platform. Just comparing the fundamental characteristics of Webex vs Teams would not provide a definitive answer. But if we dig deeper to compare the peripheral features such as telephony extensions, security, room format, integration with other software, and pricing would help you decide between Microsoft Teams vs Cisco Webex.

Both Teams and Webex are excellent products coming from technology giants Microsoft and Cisco, respectively. Therefore, it is a tough choice to make. Like all other platforms including Webex, Microsoft Teams caters to all the requirements of a Unified Communications (UC) platform. Microsoft has increasingly pushed for Teams to become the numero uno UC platform in the coming time. This means that it will keep on evolving the product until it gets way better than its competitors. Keeping this perspective in mind, we recommend you opt for Microsoft Teams for the promise of the future.

Ms Teams And Webex

Get help to get started with Microsoft Teams

Moreover, there are a plethora of Microsoft Partners who can assist you get started with Microsoft Teams with minimum disruptions. Apps4Rent is a Tier 1 CSP and Microsoft Gold Partner, which means we are handpicked by Microsoft itself for offering services and products of Microsoft. You can get started with a basic Office 365 subscription which will also include popular productivity suite such as MS Office along with Teams. Apps4Rent can help you get started with Microsoft Teams in no time. We offer 24/7 real-time support via phone, chat, and email if you have any issues on deployment, on-boarding, and operations.

Webex In Ms Teams

If you want any further clarifications or have any questions, feel free to contact us now!