Now, Slack users can call those on Microsoft Teams
In the wake of the COVID-19 situation, work communication apps Slack and Microsoft Teams have become the focal point for many businesses. Both platforms have seen a major increase in their user-base, and now, to help people connect more easily, Slack is bringing a way to let you call those on the Microsoft-owned platform. Here's all you need to know about it.
Integration to launch, join Teams calls
As Slack CEO had suggested a few days ago, the app is getting the integration to launch Teams' calls or hop onto ongoing meetings - after seeing who has already joined. The feature solely requires you to download/install the 'Microsoft Teams Calls' beta app in Slack and set up your Office 365 Teams' account using it. Once that is done, you can start calling.
You can set Teams as default calling option
After setting up the Teams app in Slack, you can quickly start a call by typing the "/teams-call" slash command in any channel. Alternatively, you can also customize call settings on the platform to make Microsoft Teams Calls the default calling provider. The integration even allows joining a Teams call through event reminders from the Outlook/Google calendar Slack apps.
Calls won't take place directly within Slack
While the feature would be welcomed by millions of people active on Slack and Teams, it is imperative to note that the calls won't take place directly within Slack, at least for the time being. If you launch or join a call from Slack, using this integration, the call would open in Teams instead of the main Slack app.
Other calling services are also coming
Along with Teams, Slack is also bringing voice over IP integration with Zoom, Cisco Jabber, RingCentral, and Dialpad. This will let you make phone calls using any of these services through the Slack interface and further boost Slack's adoption of calling features. The company already claims calls have grown by nearly 350% on its app over the last one month.
