In today’s interconnected world, it is more important than ever to ensure that business communications devices are compatible with unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) platforms. According to IDC research, about half of all enterprise buyers prefer to work with a single UCaaS (unified communications-as-a-service) platform combined with easily integrated solutions like videoconferencing, contact center solutions, and collaboration applications.
In this article, we examine some of the devices and platforms that integrate well with Microsoft Teams, the industry leader in the UC&C space with more than 300 million users. The fact that businesses subscribed to Microsoft 365 Business already have Teams as a free add-on has helped propel Teams to the top of the UC&C heap.
TeleDynamics carries a wide range of Teams-compatible devices and solutions from a number of manufacturers. Here, we focus on four of our featured partners that have made significant investments in ensuring easy integration and hassle-free compatibility: Yealink, Yeastar, Grandstream, and Ribbon Communications.
Difference between “Teams-certified” and “Teams-compatible”
When reading spec sheets of different devices and systems, it is useful to keep in mind the difference between “certified” and “compatible.” Microsoft maintains a program for Teams-certified devices, which includes desk phones, conference phones, headsets, cameras, and also session border controllers (SBCs) for Direct Routing.
Certified devices undergo rigorous testing in partnership with Microsoft to ensure they meet quality and interoperability standards. For example, in the context of telephony integration, Microsoft certifies certain SBC hardware/software to work with Teams Direct Routing, and only certified SBCs are fully supported by Microsoft for connecting external phone systems to Teams. If an organization uses a non-certified SBC or solution, Microsoft reserves the right to decline support for any telephony issues.
“Compatible,” on the other hand, means the product can work with Teams (often via third-party integration or basic SIP interoperability) but lacks Microsoft’s formal certification.
A note about Microsoft AppSource
The approval process that applications go through to be offered on Microsoft AppSource differs from the certification process for hardware. Publication on AppSource indicates that Microsoft has authorized the app’s integration scenario and has approved its use with the applicable service, in this case, Teams. The solution support for AppSource apps is provided by the third-party vendors, rather than Microsoft.
Yealink’s Team-certified solutions
We have written many detailed articles about Yealink’s Team-certified devices, so here we provide an overview and provide a link to the other articles for those interested in digging deeper.
Yealink offers an impressive range of endpoints and videoconferencing systems that are officially certified for Teams. Integration is largely plug-and-play, with any required setup (account sign-in, network configuration, updates) being straightforward and well-documented.
Teams Rooms systems that run on Windows
Yealink MVC conference room bundles are kits that include all the components of a complete videoconferencing experience, for rooms of all sizes. These bundles include select devices from the following list, depending on the deployment.
- An MCore Pro mini-PC running Teams Rooms
- A camera system such as the UVC34 USB video bar, the SmartVision 40 camera bar, the SmartVision 60 all-in-one camera, or the UVC86 dual-eye 4K intelligent camera
- Microphone arrays
- Speaker
- RoomSensor for capturing participant headcount as well as environmental factors such as light, temperature, and humidity
- MTouch Plus meeting control panel with a spacious touch screen
- The MShare E2 screen-sharing box
- VCR20 remote control
MeetingBoards for either Windows or Android
The Yealink MeetingBoards support native Teams, General Mode Dual-System (Windows/Android) and also Zoom. Available in three variations to suit different meeting room sizes, this powerful device comes with a triple-eye camera system with AI-powered IntelliFocus and Video Fence, whiteboard collaboration, and Pro Sound with noise cancellation.
MeetingBar for Teams Rooms that run on Android
For Teams Rooms running on Android, Yealink offers its MeetingBar series. These are all-in-one video bars for small to mid-sized meeting spaces. They integrate camera, mics, and speaker in a single bar that runs the native Android Teams app.
Yealink Teams desk phones
Yealink’s MP E2 series phones are powered by Android 13, which delivers extra speed and data security. All models feature a touch screen and a dedicated Teams button. Yealink also offers the MP45 USB Teams phone, which connects to a PC via USB to give softphone users the familiar experience of a desk phone with an ergonomic handset and hands-free microphone (ideal for hot-desking or common areas).
Once the phone is connected to the network and powered on (MP phones support PoE), it boots into a Microsoft Teams sign-in screen. User authentication is required on first use. After sign-in, the phone automatically retrieves the user’s Teams profile, including contacts and calendar.
See a comparison chart of the different MP E2 desk phone models.
Yealink conference phones and speakerphones for Teams
Yealink also offers a range of Teams-certified conference phones and portable speakerphones. The flagship CP965 conference phone for mid-sized to large meeting rooms features a 5-inch touch screen and a 13-microphone array, and runs the native Teams application for calls and meetings. Of special note as well is the intelligent MSpeech USB speakerphone, developed jointly by Yealink and the Microsoft Smart Voice team. It has voice recognition that delivers transcription, real-time translation and Cortana voice assistant.
Yealink Teams-certified headsets
Rounding out this vast array of Teams-certified solutions are Yealink headsets. All three of Yealink’s headsets series ― the WH DECT headsets, the Bluetooth BH headsets and the UH USB wired headsets ― offer Teams-certified variants.
Additionally, these headsets are compatible with upwards of 100 platforms and operating systems, ensuring seamless connectivity and effortless collaboration all day long.
For more details about specific Teams-certified Yealink products, contact your TeleDynamics rep, consult our previous articles, or browse our product catalog for Yealink conferencing and collaboration solutions or SIP phones.
Teams integration for Yeastar P-series business phone systems
Yeastar’s P-Series phone system can be integrated with Microsoft Teams to enable calling features for Teams users. In this integration, Microsoft Teams users are associated with extensions on the Yeastar PBX, essentially turning the Teams client into a softphone registered to the IP-PBX. This allows Teams users to make and receive calls using the Yeastar PBX (with the organization’s phone numbers and SIP endpoints) and to leverage PBX features (IVR, call queues, call routing, call recording, etc.) directly from the Teams application.
Yeastar offers two different ways to integrate its P-Series systems with Microsoft Teams: Call2Teams and the Linkus app. Both enable Teams users to make and receive calls via Yeastar PBX extensions, but they differ in architecture, licensing requirements, and use cases, as explained below.
Linkus for Teams
The Linkus app provides a direct integration method by embedding the Yeastar Linkus Web Client into Microsoft Teams. This setup does not require any additional Microsoft Phone System licenses. Users install the Linkus app from Microsoft AppSource and log in with their Yeastar PBX credentials. This integration allows Teams users to access PBX functionalities such as call logs, voicemails, and recordings directly within Teams. It's a cost-effective solution for organizations looking to integrate telephony into Teams without incurring extra licensing costs.
Call2Teams
Call2Teams is a cloud-based middleware solution that connects Microsoft Teams to Yeastar PBX systems using Microsoft's Direct Routing. This integration requires users to have Microsoft 365 licenses that include the Phone System add-on (e.g., Microsoft 365 E5 or E3 with Phone System). Once set up, Teams users can utilize the native Teams dial pad to make and receive calls through the Yeastar PBX, leveraging existing SIP trunks and PBX features like IVR, call queues, and call routing. This approach is ideal for organizations that prefer using the Teams interface for telephony and are already invested in Microsoft's licensing ecosystem.
Yeastar Workplace for Teams
In addition, there is Yeastar Workplace for Microsoft Teams, a dedicated app designed to streamline office space management directly within the Teams environment. It enables users to book meeting rooms and desks, manage visitor schedules, and receive real-time notifications—all without leaving the Teams interface. Features include interactive floor plans for locating and reserving spaces, the ability to find and sit near coworkers, and automated visitor invitations and check-ins. This integration enhances productivity and collaboration, particularly in hybrid work settings.
Browse the TeleDynamics website for Yeastar business phone systems.
Teams integration with Grandstream UCM PBXs
For companies with a Grandstream UCM PBX, there are a couple of ways to integrate it with Teams. One way is via their Wave add-on that acts like a shortcut or sidecar to the Grandstream UCM system. The other way is to use a third-party SIP-to-Teams connector.
Grandstream Wave on Microsoft AppSource
Wave is a free app on Microsoft AppSource that allows quick access to UCM phone system features inside Teams. This is an easy, lightweight option for cases that don’t require native Teams calling. It provides visibility into UCM features (contacts, voicemail, meetings) inside Teams. For making calls, users need to launch the Wave app and make the calls through Wave.
Third-party SIP-to-Teams connector
For true Teams calling via the native Teams dial pad and calling interface, a third-party connector such as Ribbon Connect is needed. Ribbon Connect employs a Microsoft-certified session border controller (SBC) to bridge the Grandstream UCM with Microsoft Teams. This setup enables users to make and receive calls via Teams while leveraging the existing PBX infrastructure. The integration supports scenarios where both the Teams client and the PBX phone ring simultaneously, ensuring flexibility and continuity in communications workflows.
Browse our online catalog for Grandstream UCM phone systems.
Ribbon Connect by Ribbon Communications
Ribbon Communications provides session border controllers (SBCs), which come into play when you add PSTN voice services to your phone system (PBX). You get SIP trunks from your telephony service provider and connect the service provider’s network to your own network using an SBC, which acts as the point of demarcation between the two networks.
Microsoft-certified SBCs are required for connecting voice services to Microsoft Teams via Direct Routing. An SBC also protects your network from outside threats: it provides a voice firewall, normalizes traffic from different sources, and adds network resiliency. You can see a list of all of the Ribbon Communications SBCs that are certified for Microsoft Direct Routing here.
Ribbon Communications offers a special service called Ribbon Connect that integrates your existing on-premises or cloud PBX with Microsoft Teams. That way, workers can take incoming calls and make outgoing calls through either Teams (on their computer or smartphone) or their desk phones. Even if workers make business calls from their personal smart phone, their work number shows up on the caller ID.
Ribbon Connect is a monthly cloud service, so there is no equipment to buy or maintain. TeleDynamics is excited to be a Ribbon Connect partner. For more details, see our comprehensive article about this service.
Ribbon also offers an application on Microsoft AppSource called Ribbon Connect for Operator Connect that enables telecom service providers to deliver their services to Microsoft Teams customers in a streamlined, automated way.
Conclusion
Whether you’re outfitting meeting rooms, empowering remote workers, or streamlining enterprise telephony, TeleDynamics offers a complete portfolio of Teams-compatible and Teams-certified solutions to meet your needs. By partnering with trusted manufacturers like Yealink, Yeastar, Grandstream, and Ribbon Communications, we help businesses maximize their Microsoft Teams investment while enhancing communication, collaboration, and productivity. Contact your TeleDynamics representative to get the right solutions for your customers!
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Yealink's next-gen Teams Rooms solutions: smarter collaboration
Yealink and Microsoft Teams: the perfect pair for modern telephony
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TeleDynamics expands its relationship with Ribbon Communications
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