Can I send SMS using Microsoft Teams?

In today’s remote work environment, seamless communication tools are essential. Microsoft Teams is a popular platform for internal collaboration, but can it handle SMS messaging?

Microsoft Teams has become a cornerstone of remote work, providing a unified platform for team collaboration. As businesses seek to streamline all forms of communication, the ability to send and receive SMS through Microsoft Teams is increasingly valuable.

Let’s dive into how texting in Microsoft Teams functions, why it’s beneficial for your business. In this blog, compare it with traditional SMS texting, and explain how you can enable SMS capabilities through third-party integrations.

Table of contents

• Is It Possible to Send SMS Using Microsoft Teams?

• How Can I Enable SMS for an MS Teams Number with Falkon SMS?

• MS Teams Texting vs. Traditional SMS Texting

• List of Ways Businesses Can Use Microsoft Teams Text Messaging

• Benefits of Text-Enabling Your MS Teams Number

• FAQ: Microsoft Teams Texting

Is It Possible to Send SMS Using Microsoft Teams?

Many users wonder, "Can I send SMS using Microsoft Teams?" The answer is YES. Here’s how you can send SMS messages directly from Microsoft Teams:

Using Microsoft Teams Limited SMS Functionality

In certain countries, including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Great Britain, India, Mexico, and the United States, Microsoft Teams offers a limited SMS functionality. You can send SMS messages to phone numbers within the Teams interface. However, recipients will receive a notification prompting them to join Microsoft Teams to continue the conversation. Note that sending pictures or other media is not supported.

Using Third-Party Integrations with Teams

Microsoft Teams does not offer built-in solutions for sending regular SMS messages, but a third-party text marketing software can bridge this gap. For instance, Falkon SMS provides seamless SMS integration within Microsoft Teams. This integration allows you to send and receive SMS/MMS messages directly from the Teams interface, even if the recipient does not have the Teams app installed. This approach is similar to sending SMS from Outlook.

With Falkon SMS, you can use your existing Microsoft Teams business phone number for SMS, eliminating the need for separate personal and business text lines. Alternatively, Falkon SMS can provide a new business number if needed.

How Can I Enable SMS for an MS Teams Number with Falkon SMS?

1) Text-Enable Any Business Number

With Falkon SMS, text-enabling a number for Microsoft Teams is straightforward, whether it’s a business landline, toll-free number, or VoIP number. Falkon SMS can set up text messaging for any of these numbers quickly and easily.

Just book a meeting, register with Falkon SMS, complete a simple Letter of Authorization (only if the number is from another provider), and start texting. It’s that simple!

This streamlined setup centralizes communication, improves workflow, and allows you to maintain a unified platform without needing multiple channels.

2) Text-Enable MS Teams Numbers on Microsoft Calling Plans

For businesses using a Microsoft Teams Calling Plan, Falkon SMS enables SMS by porting the number to Falkon VoIP Direct Routing. Other VoIP numbers don’t require porting. Here’s the porting process:

• Fill Out the VoIP Onboarding or Porting Form: Start by submitting this form to initiate the porting process.
  

• Sync Numbers: You can choose one of two options to sync your numbers:

  • Provide Global Admin Access to Falkon: Either share existing credentials or create a dummy user with Global Admin access and provide these credentials to Falkon.

  • Run PowerShell Commands with Your IT Team: Your team can execute the necessary PowerShell commands to complete the sync.
    

• Get Registered with Falkon SMS: Complete the Falkon SMS registration.
  

• Start Texting: Once registered, your Teams number can handle both voice and SMS communication.

This setup allows seamless SMS integration within Microsoft Teams, eliminating the need for separate communication lines.

Watch this video to learn How to Port Your MS Teams Number to Falkon VoIP Direct Routing

MS Teams Texting vs. Traditional SMS Texting

Microsoft Teams Texting:

Pros

• Business-Oriented Features: Includes functionalities like two-way texting, automated responses, scheduling messages, and integrations with business software.

• Improved Sender Identification: Recipients see your business name or brand.

• Potential Cost Savings: Falkon SMS offers volume discounts compared to per-message SMS charges.

• Centralized Management: Manage all communication from one platform.

Cons

• Not Universally Accessible: Requires an internet connection for both sender and recipient.

• Additional Cost: Requires a subscription to a texting service.

• Limited to Business Use: Not ideal for personal texting.

Traditional SMS Texting:

Pros

• Universal Reach: Works on nearly all mobile phones.

• Simple and Familiar: Widely understood and used.

• Wider Range of Features: Often supports sending pictures and videos.

Cons

• Limited Communication Channels: Not suited for group chats or threaded conversations.

• Not Centralized: Conversations are separate from other communication methods.

• Sender Identification Limitations: Recipients might not know who is texting unless the number is saved.

List of Ways Businesses Can Use Microsoft Teams Text Messaging

Microsoft Teams text messaging offers several applications for businesses:

1. Internal Communication: Enhance team communication and collaboration.

2. Project Management: Use chat threads for project updates and task assignments.

3. Remote Work Collaboration: Facilitate communication among remote teams.

4. Meetings and Calls: Schedule and manage meetings, and share updates.

5. Announcements and Updates: Send company-wide announcements and reminders.

6. Customer Support: Provide support and handle customer inquiries via SMS.

7. Integration with Apps: Connect with other business applications for streamlined workflows.

8. Training and Onboarding: Conduct training sessions and onboarding programs.

9. Task Management: Manage tasks and deadlines within chat threads.

10. Feedback and Suggestions: Collect feedback from employees and customers.

Benefits of Text-Enabling Your MS Teams Number

Though MS teams are preferred for business communications, it is yet to gain popularity as a personal communication platform. So, you cannot expect everyone to have MS Teams on their phone or PC!

Integrating SMS with Microsoft Teams offers several advantages:

01. Streamlined Communication

By incorporating SMS, you streamline your communication channels within Microsoft Teams. This consolidation ensures that important messages reach your team efficiently, fostering quicker decision-making and response times.

02. Improved Workflow

The integration enhances workflow efficiency by providing a seamless platform for both chat and SMS. This unified environment reduces the need to switch between different applications, promoting a more organized and productive work process.

03. Team Collaboration

Integrating SMS into Teams makes Microsoft Teams one of the best team collaboration tools. Team members can communicate in real-time, share updates, and coordinate tasks effortlessly, leading to improved project management and overall team performance.

04. Reduced Software Clutter

Integrating SMS directly into Microsoft Teams eliminates the need for additional communication tools, reducing software clutter. This consolidation not only simplifies the user experience but also minimizes the learning curve for team members.

05. High Accessibility and Open Rates

SMS integration ensures high accessibility, as text messages are commonly checked promptly. This leads to increased open rates for important messages, ensuring that critical information is more likely to be seen and acted upon in a timely manner.

The benefits of text-enabling MS Teams are numerous, and the ones mentioned above are just to name a few.

Also read: Why should you text enable MS Teams number

Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your Microsoft Teams toolkit with SMS capabilities. Contact Falkon SMS today to get started!

FAQ: Microsoft Teams Texting

1. Can I send SMS messages directly from Microsoft Teams?

Yes, you can send SMS messages from Microsoft Teams, but only through third-party integrations like Falkon SMS. Teams itself offers limited native SMS functionality.

2. Can I send multimedia messages (MMS) using Microsoft Teams?

With third-party integrations like Falkon SMS, you can send MMS messages. The native Teams functionality does not support multimedia messaging.

3. Is there an additional cost for using SMS features in Microsoft Teams?

Yes, using SMS features via third-party services often involves additional costs, such as subscription fees or per-message charges.

4. How can I enable SMS for an existing Microsoft Teams number?

To enable SMS for an existing Teams number, use a service like Falkon SMS, which can text-enable your current number as part of their setup process.