More and more Swiss companies are replacing their traditional PBX systems with Microsoft Teams Phone. The solution unifies telephony, chat, video conferencing, and collaboration in a single platform – while meeting Swiss requirements for compliance and emergency calling.

Options

Teams Phone

Microsoft Teams Phone System is the cloud-based telephony solution within Microsoft 365. It enables calls to and from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) directly from Teams. Various calling plans and add-on licenses are available for Swiss companies. Porting existing Swiss phone numbers (+41) is supported through certified partners.

Direct Routing

Direct Routing connects your existing SIP trunk infrastructure with Teams. Swiss SIP trunk providers such as Swisscom, Sunrise, or Peoplefone offer certified solutions. This option is particularly suitable for companies with complex routing requirements or existing carrier contracts. You retain full control over your phone numbers and call rates.

Operator Connect

Operator Connect is the newest approach, combining the simplicity of calling plans with the flexibility of direct routing. Swiss telecom providers deliver PSTN connectivity directly through the Teams Admin Center. Configuration is significantly simpler than direct routing and ideal for mid-sized organizations.

Benefits

Unified Communications

All communication channels – phone, chat, video, voicemail – run on a single platform. Employees can seamlessly switch between devices and are reachable through a single number. Integration with Outlook calendar and presence status optimizes reachability across time zones.

Cost Savings

Eliminating local PBX infrastructure significantly reduces hardware and maintenance costs. Swiss companies typically save 30–50% compared to traditional phone systems. Emergency calls to 144 (ambulance), 117 (police), and 118 (fire) are reliably transmitted with location information as required by Swiss regulations.

Flexibility

Compliance recording for regulated industries such as financial services is available through certified partners. Migration from legacy PBX systems can proceed gradually – hybrid scenarios enable a smooth transition without business disruption or downtime.

Conclusion

Teams telephony is a real alternative to classic PBX. With the right partners and careful planning, Swiss companies benefit from a modern, flexible communications solution that scales with their needs.