Get Text Messages in Teams using Twilio SMS

Introduction

Welcome to our tech lab! Today, we’re diving into a practical and innovative solution that bridges the gap between mobile messaging and team collaboration. We’ll be configuring Twilio to send incoming text messages directly to a Microsoft Teams channel. This integration is particularly useful for businesses looking to implement an emergency ‘break glass’ account or streamline communication with software vendors.

Why Integrate Twilio with Microsoft Teams?

In the era of multi-factor authentication (MFA), it’s crucial to have an emergency access account that isn’t tied to an individual’s personal device. However, with MFA becoming a standard security measure, even these accounts need to be tied to a phone number. Additionally, software vendors often require full licensing for all accounts, which can be costly and inefficient for those not actively using the software.

The Inspiration Behind the Teams Integration

The concept for this integration came to me a few years back while setting up Apple Business Manager and grappling with outdated admin account practices. Fast forward to today, and the need for such a solution has only grown. Just recently, I encountered a hurdle with Google’s limit on the number of accounts tied to a single phone number, further proving the necessity for a more flexible solution.

YouTube Video

If you want to watch the process, Here is the video I made to go along with this guide.

Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

Setting Up the Teams Channel in Microsoft Teams:

• In the Microsoft Teams channel where you wish to receive SMS messages, create an incoming webhook. If you don’t have a channel set up yet, do that first.

Creating a Twilio Account:

• Sign up for a Twilio account. During the setup, you’ll need to verify your phone number, which is a standard part of the process.

Choosing the Right Phone Number in Twilio:

• Twilio may assign you a 1-800 number by default. Since this is overkill for our purposes, release it and select a local number instead.

Configuring The Integration Flow in Twilio Studio:

• Navigate to Twilio Studio and create a new flow. Add an HTTP request widget and configure it to POST to the Teams webhook URL.

Formatting the HTTP Request in Twilio Studio:

• Set the content type to ‘application/JSON’ as Teams operates with JSON. For the request body, use the JSON format provided in the blog post below.

Code

Here is the exact syntax to use on this step.

{"text": "From: {{trigger.message.From}}\n\nMessage: {{trigger.message.Body}}"}

Copy and paste that into Twilio Studio and it will work successfully.

Link the Twilio Studio Flow to the Twilio Number Message Action:

• Link the Trigger to the HTTP Request, Then click on Publish.

• Under the phone number the flow needs to be selected as the action to perform when a new SMS message comes in.

Testing the Twilio to Microsoft Teams Integration:

• Send a test SMS message to the Twilio phone number from a verified phone number and verify that you received it in Teams.

Cost Analysis

After the trial period, maintaining this setup is surprisingly affordable. A local Twilio number costs around $1.15 per month, and each incoming text message is just $0.008. This makes it possible to have a shared admin access or emergency account for less than $20 a year.

This cost could very region to region.

Final Thoughts

This integration is one of the more clever solutions I’ve crafted over the years, and it’s a testament to the power of simple, effective communication tools in the business environment. If you’ve found this guide helpful, consider supporting the channel through the links provided below.

Conclusion

Thank you for following along with this guide. If you like this content, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and leave any questions or comments below. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Until next time, keep building and innovating!

*Note: Some links are affiliate links and TDSheridan Lab may earn a commission from them.