Microsoft has launched Azure Communication Services, building on top of the Azure cloud and using the same security structure powering Microsoft Teams.
Azure Communication Services enables developers to add video, voice, chat, and text messaging across applications, websites, and mobile platforms, easily tap into other Azure services, such as Azure Cognitive Services for translation, sentiment analysis and more.
Developers can add communications workflows to applications with flexible SDKs and APIs for common platforms and languages including iOS, Android, Web, .NET, and JavaScript.
Additionally, companies benefit from all communications being encrypted to meet privacy and compliance needs, such as HIPAA and GDPR.
“Azure Communication Services is built natively on top a global, reliable cloud — Azure,” said Microsoft’s Scott Van Vliet. “Businesses can confidently build and deploy on the same low latency global communication network used by Microsoft Teams to support 5B+ meeting minutes daily.”
Azure Communication Services capabilities
Video and Voice Calling
- High quality audio and video
- Low latency capabilities for an uninterrupted calling experience.
- Build and control the communication experiences you want.
- Seamlessly shift between voice and video calls in a multichannel communication experience.
Chat
- Enrich app experiences with chat capabilities that strengthen real-time connection
- Launch into a session with a single click, for real-time response.
- Personalize customer conversations with an agent chat interface.
- Easily manage growing customer service needs with a fast time to resolution.
SMS (available in October)
- Fastest growing method of connecting with customers
- Deliver important information to users anytime, anywhere.
- Improve on-the-go interactions with rich media integrations and seamless connections.
- Integrate SMS into existing applications and workflows with Azure services Logic Apps and Event Grid
Phone Numbers (available in October)
- Enable end-to-end communication scenarios with telephony capabilities
- Provision numbers that support inbound and outbound calling.
- Port existing numbers, request new numbers, or mix and match.
- Soon, integrate into existing on-premises equipment and carrier networks with SIP.
SDK’s and example apps are available for developers to download now.
