Microsoft Teams Tannoy
Integrate a Microsoft Teams Tannoy solution to make paging, public address (PA) and tannoy announcements from Microsoft Teams clients.
What is Microsoft Teams Tannoy?
To help answer this question, we first need to understand some audio related terminology… ‘Tannoy’ is a term used colloquially here in the UK by many people, to describe an audio system designed to provide sound reinforcement and voice broadcast through one or many speakers. ‘Paging’ and Public Address or ‘PA’ are terms used commonly and interchangeably with ‘Tannoy’. Teams Tannoy, Teams Paging or Teams PA – all describe the same function of making voice announcements through speakers and audio systems. Tannoy announcements are traditionally made using microphones. However, to provide additional flexibility, announcements can also be made using telephones, web and mobile apps and yes… MS Teams.
Microsoft Teams Tannoy (or Teams Tannoy for short) is not a dedicated Microsoft product or service, but describes a solution for Teams users to integrate with speakers and audio systems to make tannoy announcements. To do this, MS Teams uses a real-time communications signaling protocol called, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to initiate, maintain, and terminate audio connections. SIP is also widely used by VoIP / telephony and IP multi-media solutions providers, helping to simplify and streamline Teams Tannoy integration with SIP systems and devices.
How do I implement MS Teams Tannoy?
The answer to this question largely depends on two primary design / integration elements.
- The technology and design of the audio system installation.
- Teams paging / tannoy integration option – SIP Gateway, Session Boarder Controller (SBC) or Service Provider (SaaS).
1. Audio technologies
The site/s audio technology and system entities will generally dictate the possible ‘depth’ of MS Teams tannoy integration. For example, it’s possible for AoIP sites with SIP Speakers to integrate directly with Teams on a single device level. Whereas a traditional analogue system needs to integrate with Teams via one or more IP gateway/adaptor device/s. These devices will typically provide integration on an audio ‘zone’ level basis (groups of analogue speakers).
- Traditional analogue audio systems & speakers.
- AoIP audio systems & SIP / IP speakers.
2. Teams integration options
There are three integration options to enable voice announcements (paging / tannoy) from MS Teams.
- MS Teams SIP Gateway
SIP Gateway allows businesses and organisations to integrate ‘natively’ with compatible third party SIP devices for use with Microsoft Teams. This proposition seeks to protect existing SIP device investment as well as widening scope for Teams use. Compatible SIP speakers can integrate with SIP Gateway on a device basis (ie. a Teams user can select and make tannoy announcements through SIP speakers). SIP Gateway can also integrate with compatible paging / tannoy gateways, enabling audio zone and even site wide paging and tannoy announcements from MS Teams.
Teams SIP Gateway
- Session Boarder Controller (SBC)
This is a hardware/software device employed at the private/public ‘edge’ of business networks to securely manage SIP based real-time media traffic and communications (audio, voice and video). SBC’s are regularly used by VoIP service providers and by enterprise organisations running VoIP, especially those requiring service between multiple sites. Microsoft ‘Direct Routing’ lets you connect a Microsoft approved, customer-provided Session Border Controller (SBC) to Teams Phone System. This capability enables Teams integration with 3rd party SIP telephony and audio systems.
Teams Tannoy via SBC
- Service Provider (SaaS)
Simple, scalable & low cost, this option is for organisations without an approved Microsoft SBC or for those looking to keep their Teams paging integration as easy and straightforward as possible. Service Provider ‘Software-as-a-Service’ (SaaS) Teams Tannoy allows organisations to integrate AoIP and Traditional analogue audio systems without requiring further investment:The following are NOT required when using SaaS Teams Tannoy.
- A Microsoft approved (or indeed any) Session Border Controller (SBC)
- A SIP Controller or Gateway
- MS Direct Routing, Calling Plan or Operator Connect
- Additional PSTN phone numbers for your tannoy devices and system
Teams Tannoy via SaaS
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