DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) might not be the latest technology in the communications market, but it’s still among the most commonly used. The DECT market is still growing at a phenomenal rate, particularly as companies continue to invest in more flexible, mobile tools for their distributed workers.
For companies using a Microsoft Teams environment for UCaaS, the good news is Microsoft has taken steps to ensure DECT technology is compatible with its ecosystem. During Enterprise Connect in March 2022, Microsoft announced it can now support DECT native integration, via a SIP gateway.
What’s more, Microsoft already has partnerships with various market leading DECT providers, including Poly, Spectralink, Gigaset, Yealink, and Ascom. All of these vendors have invested in creating powerful DECT solutions specifically for Microsoft Teams.
The Use Cases for DECT in Microsoft Teams
For companies already using DECT handsets via a SBC (Session Border Controller) and brands keeping their legacy PBX system running in parallel with the Teams Phone environment, it’s now possible to add DECT handsets to a deployment, just like an ordinary desk phone.
However, for many organizations, it may be worth exploring the potential use cases for these devices first. For a while now, many business leaders have been dithering over switching away from DECT phones completely, so they can embrace the benefits of softphone mobile apps. However, for the most part, DECT has proven itself to be a consistently beneficial tool for specific use cases.
While soft phone solutions may work in certain scenarios, there are also a multitude of use cases where a DECT phone can deliver more security, reliability, and protection. The top use cases for DECT in Microsoft Teams include:
1. Warehouse Operations
In the standard warehouse, most people aren’t tied to a specific desk where they can make calls through a corded phone. They’re reliant on mobile solutions to keep them connected to colleagues and contacts while still on the move. While a standard mobile device offers this flexibility, it often lacks the durability required for a fast-paced warehouse environment.
Employees on forklifts and working with machinery can easily lose their devices and cause irreparable damage. This is where rugged devices built for Microsoft Teams with DECT technology can be particularly useful. Tools like the Spectralink 75 series are designed with warehouse and factory environments in mind.
These reliable devices come with a range of crucial features including automatic key lock, speaker automatic answering, vibration mode, display flash, and alerts for low coverage and battery. The products are both drop and dust proof, and more portable than the standard desk phone.
2. Healthcare
In hospitals, care homes, clinics, and other health-focused environments, there are a lot of additional regulations and compliance policies in place which don’t always affect the average worker. As a result, the tools, and systems in use within healthcare environments need to be designed carefully.
The most effective phones for the healthcare space come with niche functionality and features, such as a disinfectant-resistant coating and automatic alarms. Products like the phones in the Spectralink 77 series are designed specifically for healthcare employees in mind.
