What Is Direct Routing as a Service (DRaaS)?

When implementing Direct Routing for Microsoft Teams, companies must manage their direct routing setup independently or embrace Direct Routing as a Service (DRaaS). Each choice carries distinct cost implications and potential benefits, demanding careful consideration.

Below, we explain what DRaaS is and how it works, compare its costs and benefits with self-managed Direct Routing, and share what to look for in a provider.

Want to learn the ins and outs of direct routing? Check out our blog.

What Is Direct Routing as a Service?

Direct Routing as a Service (DRaaS) connects Microsoft Teams to the public phone network (PSTN) through session border controllers (SBCs) that a provider hosts and runs for you. Your users make and receive calls in Teams, and the provider handles design, deployment, maintenance and support.

You get the flexibility of Direct Routing, such as your choice of carrier and your own routing rules, without running the infrastructure yourself.

How DRaaS Works

Step 1: Setup

You subscribe to a DRaaS provider, which designs your solution and sets up the SBCs and supporting infrastructure.

Step 2: Call routing

The provider configures how inbound and outbound calls are handled, for example routing calls to specific departments or locations.

Step 3: Connection to the phone network

The provider connects Teams to the PSTN through its carrier relationships. Because those agreements are already in place, this is typically much faster than arranging carrier connectivity yourself.

Step 4: Ongoing management

After go-live, the provider monitors and maintains the service. Many also offer user support and training.

Who Needs DRaaS?

DRaaS suits organizations that want the benefits of Direct Routing without managing it themselves, including those with:

Limited IT resources: outsourcing Direct Routing frees your team for other work.
Complex telephony requirements: operating in several countries or strictly regulated industries is easier with specialists handling your voice service.
Growth plans: DRaaS scales as you add people and locations.

How to Conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis

Before we discuss the costs and benefits of each option, let’s review the basics of cost-benefit analysis.

First, list the costs and benefits. These will include the obvious stuff like buying equipment or paying for services, but also think about the time and effort you’ll need to put in and the new staff members you’ll have to train. On the flip side, note down the perks of each option, like having more control or getting expert support.

Second, price out the benefits. For instance, calculate how much money you’ll need upfront for self-managing Direct Routing or the monthly fees for DRaaS. Doing so helps you compare them more easily.

Third, think short-term and long-term. Some costs hit you right away, while others stretch out over time. Similarly, some benefits might only show up in the long run. Keep this in mind when thinking about the costs and benefits of each option.

Fourth, watch out for risks and uncertainties. Consider any potential risks or uncertainties that come with each option. Maybe a self-managed system could be less reliable, or a DRaaS provider might not be as stable. Thinking about these risks helps you make smart decisions and plan for anything unexpected.

Next, decide what matters most. Not all costs and benefits are equally important. Some might be a bigger deal for your organization than others. Take a moment to think about what matters when you’re deciding between self-managed Direct Routing and DRaaS.

Finally, don’t make this decision alone. Talk to the people who will be affected by it—your IT team, folks in the finance department, and anyone else who needs to be in the loop. This way, you will get a well-rounded view and make a choice that fits with your overall goals.

By following these steps, you can make the decision-making process less overwhelming and more straightforward. Let’s do some analysis with that in mind.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Self-Managed Direct Routing

Our team has assembled a quick list of typical costs and associated benefits for those considering managing your direct routing implementation yourself.

The Cost of Self-Managed Direct Routing

Initial Investment: Significant upfront capital expenditure is required for hardware like Session Border Controllers (SBCs) and potential networking equipment.
Learning Curve Costs: Integrating Microsoft Teams with telephony involves a steep learning curve, requiring expertise in Microsoft PowerShell, Microsoft Graph API, and SIP protocol. This expertise can take up much valuable time unless you hire experts from the start.
Staff Hiring or Training Expenses: Skilled IT staff is necessary for setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting, potentially leading to increased payroll or training costs.
Ongoing Maintenance: When you manage direct routing yourself, you must continuously monitor and adapt to Microsoft’s frequent API updates, which leads to a greater investment of time and money than you may have. Plus, you must budget for ongoing operational costs like licensing fees and network-related charges.

The Benefits of Self-Managed Direct Routing

Complete Control: You handle everything about your telephony environment – top to bottom – allowing you to configure your direct routing implementation to fit your business needs like a glove.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Direct Routing as a Service (DRaaS)

If the costs seem to outweigh the benefits of self-management – or you’re looking for a faster way to implement it – DRaaS is a great alternative.

The Cost of DRaaS

Regular Service Fees: These are paid to the DRaaS provider as a predictable monthly operational expense (OpEx).
Potential for Premium Pricing: Some DRaaS solutions may command a premium, especially for high-level service agreements or customized configurations.

The Benefits of DRaaS

Access to Advanced Expertise and Technologies: DRaaS providers offer cutting-edge solutions and specialized expertise in telephony systems and Microsoft Teams integration, eliminating the need to develop such expertise in-house.
Scalability and Flexibility: DRaaS solutions are designed to be scalable, allowing enterprises to easily expand or contract services based on their evolving needs.
Enhanced Security and Compliance: DRaaS providers are often better equipped to handle security and compliance requirements, reducing risks in multinational contexts.
Predictable and Streamlined Budgeting: Direct routing offers a predictable expense model, simplifying budgeting and financial planning for organizations managing complex budgets across different departments or regions.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: DRaaS providers often have robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans, ensuring telephony services remain operational during unexpected events.
Access to Global Infrastructure: Organizations operating in multiple countries benefit from a DRaaS provider’s global infrastructure, ensuring consistent service quality and compliance with local regulations.
Improved User Experience and Innovation: DRaaS providers continuously update and innovate their services, providing organizations with modern, user-friendly experiences without additional investment in research and development.

How to Choose a DRaaS Provider

Once you’ve decided DRaaS is right for you, compare providers on these factors:

Cost

Understand setup fees and ongoing charges. Look for transparent pricing and predictable monthly payments, not simply the lowest price.

Expertise and support

Choose a provider with deep experience in both telephony and Microsoft Teams. Look for certifications and case studies, and make sure knowledgeable support is available when you need it.

Scalability and flexibility

Ask how they handle growth: whether changes carry fees, how quickly change requests are completed, and whether contract terms are flexible.

Security and compliance

Check encryption, data backup procedures and compliance certifications. Ask for documentation relevant to your industry and regions, and for their breach response plan.

Reliability and uptime

Look for a proven track record and a service level agreement (SLA) that commits to specific availability.

Disaster recovery and business continuity

Ask how they keep calls running during outages, including redundancy, failover and data replication.

Keep Learning About Direct Routing

Whichever option you choose, the decision shapes operating efficiency and cost for years, so take the time to compare carefully.

Service providers can offer DRaaS under their own brand with TeamMate’s SIP Trunk Connector, which automates Direct Routing and includes SBCs in 9 Microsoft Azure regions.

Direct Routing as a Service (DRaaS): What It Is, What It Costs and How to Choose a Provider