Knowledgebase:
Introduction to Microsoft Teams Direct Routing for Resellers
Posted by Albert Diaz, Last modified by Albert Diaz on 22 September 2023 06:45 PM



What is Direct Routing for Teams

Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams is a bring your own carrier solution that turns Teams into a powerful phone system with built in collaboration.

It's an alternative to expensive Microsoft Calling Plans that allows a Tenant to use any 3rd party service provider.

Direct Routing requires the use of a certified Session Border Controller and a has fairly sophisticated implementation.

To help simplify the configuration, RingLogix offers its resellers a white label MS Teams Direct Routing solution that includes a fully automated provisioning system built on a multi-tenant SBC.

Using Microsoft’s Graph API and on-behalf-of PowerShell commands, we replace a rather complicated manual process with a single click operation that only requires a Microsoft Admin User and the correct Microsoft licenses.

The solution can be packaged, sold, and priced however you wish, breaking free from Microsoft’s own Calling Plans.


What to Know Before Getting Started

Microsoft has a few requirements for Tenants wanting to configure Direct Routing. Service Providers have no control over these requirements and proper preparation is necessary.

You will need to prepare these requirements BEFORE activating and setting up the service. 


1. A Licensed Microsoft Global Admin User.

Direct Routing can only be configured by a Global Admin User in the Tenant. After the service is activated in RingLogix, the automated provisioning is initiated by clicking a “Setup” button. That will trigger a Microsoft login window where you will need the Global Admin User credentials to proceed.

Most IT Admins we've talked to have an Admin User on the Tenants they manage. If you do not have access as an Admin User, the customer can click the Setup button later on.

The Global Admin User must have a compatible Main license assigned to them.


2. Microsoft Phone System User Licenses.

To activate Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams, certain 365 User licenses are required.

Each User that will have Direct Routing enabled must have a compatible Main license and an Add-On Phone System license.

The Add-On Phone System license can only be assigned to a User AFTER they have a Main license. Microsoft will not show you or allow you to assign an Add-On Phone System license to a User that does not have a pre-existing and compatible Main license.

Microsoft Auto Attendants and Call Queues are assigned to special Users called "Resource" accounts. Resource accounts require a free Virtual User license that must be purchased and assigned before they can have a Phone Number assigned to them. Resource accounts ONLY require a free virtual license and nothing else.


3. A Spare Main License.

The Tenant will need a spare/unassigned compatible Main license available on their Microsoft account before trying to Activate or Setup the service.

One of the several steps in configuring Direct Routing for Teams is to "activate" the domain used for the SIP trunk that connects the Microsoft Phone System to the RingLogix SBC.

This "activation" process requires adding a temporary "activation user". This user is then temporarily assigned an available compatible Main license which is what triggers the activation.

Once the setup is complete the "activation user" is removed from the Tenant and the license will be released.

This license is only needed temporarily, between 2-24 hours. If you need to purchase a license for this step we recommend getting the cheapest Basic license.


Getting Started with Direct Routing

1. Supported Licenses for Microsoft Direct Routing
2. Activate a Direct Routing Service in RingLogix
3. Assign a Phone Number to a User in Teams
4. How to Delete Previous Direct Routing Settings
5. Troubleshoot Direct Routing Setup and Sync