If your team or clients are using tools like Calendly, OneCal, or YouCanBookMe to schedule meetings, you might be missing out on a powerful, cost-effective alternative that’s already included in your Microsoft 365 subscription: Microsoft Bookings.
What Is Microsoft Bookings?
Microsoft Bookings is an online scheduling tool that integrates directly with Outlook and Microsoft Teams. It allows clients to book time with your team based on real-time availability, without the back-and-forth emails. It’s ideal for sales calls, support sessions, consultations, and more.
Why Use Microsoft Bookings Instead of Third-Party Tools?
Here are the key advantages:
1. It’s Already Licensed
If your organization uses Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Premium, or Enterprise plans, you likely already have access to Bookings—no extra cost, no new vendor, no procurement delays.
2. Seamless Integration with Outlook and Teams
Bookings syncs directly with your Outlook calendar, so availability is always up to date. It also integrates with Microsoft Teams, allowing you to automatically generate Teams meeting links for virtual appointments.
3. Connects to Dynamics 365 CRM
Here’s where it gets even more powerful: Microsoft Bookings can be integrated with Dynamics 365 CRM. This means you can:
- Automatically log appointments as activities in CRM.
- Trigger workflows based on bookings (e.g., send follow-up emails or assign leads).
- Track customer interactions more holistically.
This is a game-changer for sales and service teams who want to streamline scheduling while keeping CRM data complete and accurate.
4. Customizable Booking Pages
You can create branded booking pages for different departments, services, or team members. Set business hours, buffer times, and appointment types—just like Calendly.
5. Enterprise-Grade Security
Since it’s part of Microsoft 365, Bookings benefits from the same compliance, security, and data residency standards your organization already trusts.
How to Set Up Microsoft Bookings
Getting started is simple:
- Access Bookings: Go to https://book.ms
or find it in your Microsoft 365 app launcher. - Create a Booking Calendar: Set up a calendar for your team or service. You can create multiple calendars for different departments or use cases.
- Add Staff: Assign team members, define their availability, and link their Outlook calendars.
- Define Services: Set up appointment types (e.g., 30-minute intro call, 1-hour consultation), durations, and buffer times.
- Customize Your Page: Add your logo, business hours, and contact info.
- Share the Link: Send your booking page link to clients or embed it on your website, or email signatures.
Need Help? Traction Can Get You Set Up in No Time
If you’re ready to ditch third-party scheduling tools and make the most of what you already pay for, reach out to Traction. We can help you:
- Set up and customize Microsoft Bookings
- Integrate it with Dynamics 365 CRM
- Train your team to use it effectively