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Exam MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer

Exam MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer

The Microsoft Exam MS-721 is for professionals who specialize in planning, deploying, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting collaboration communication systems. This role focuses on ensuring seamless communication and collaboration within modern workplaces through Microsoft technologies. As a candidate for this certification, you are expected to demonstrate expertise in working with a variety of Microsoft collaboration tools, including:

  • Microsoft Teams Phone
  • Microsoft Teams Meetings, including Webinars and Town Halls
  • Microsoft Teams Premium
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot
  • Microsoft Teams Rooms
  • Certified and Supported Collaboration Devices
  • Flexible and Hybrid Work Environments

Core Competencies

To perform effectively in this role, you should have a solid foundation in:

  • Networking and Telecommunications
  • Audio/Visual and Meeting Room Technologies
  • Identity and Access Management

You must also be skilled in administering collaboration systems using tools such as:

  • Microsoft Teams Admin Center
  • Teams Rooms Pro Management Portal
  • PowerShell Scripting
  • Microsoft Call Quality Dashboard

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

As a Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer, you work closely with various roles across the organization and beyond, including:

  • Microsoft Teams Administrators
  • Microsoft 365 Identity and Access Administrators
  • Microsoft 365 Tenant Administrators
  • Workload Owners such as:
    • Facilities Managers
    • Network Engineers
    • Security Engineers
    • Telephony Providers
    • Device Manufacturers
    • Microsoft Certified Solution Providers

Exam Details

The MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer exam is designed for professionals at the intermediate level, primarily targeting individuals in administrator roles. Candidates are given 100 minutes to complete the exam, which is proctored and closed-book, ensuring a secure testing environment. The exam is available in multiple languages, including English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish. To successfully pass, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 700.

Course Outline

The exam topics are:

1. Planning and designing collaboration communications systems (20-25%)

Planning and designing Teams meetings

Plan and design Teams Phone and PSTN connectivity

Plan and design Teams-certified device solutions

  • Recommend a room configuration based on the meeting space, including Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
  • Recommend a room configuration based on customer and business requirements
  • Choose between Teams Rooms Basic and Teams Rooms Pro
  • Recommend a Teams Rooms device platform, including Windows and Android
  • Recommend Teams-certified devices
  • Recommend Teams Rooms certified components (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Teams Rooms security, Plan Microsoft Teams Rooms)
  • Recommend an interoperability solution for Microsoft Teams Rooms, including Cloud Video Interop (CVI), Direct Guest Join, and SIP Join via CVI
  • Identify the requirements for a Microsoft Teams Rooms resource account
  • Identify the enrollment requirements for Microsoft Intune
  • Identify the enrollment requirements for Microsoft Intune (Microsoft Documentation: Enrollment guide: Microsoft Intune enrollment)
  • Plan for advanced features on shared devices

Prepare the network for Teams

2. Configuring and managing Teams meetings, webinars, and town halls (15–20%)

Configure and manage Teams meetings

  • Create and manage meeting policies (Microsoft Documentation: Manage meeting and event policies in Microsoft Teams)
  • Configure meeting settings
  • Configure avatars for Teams meetings
  • Configure and manage meeting features, including meeting apps, polls and forms, Q&A, breakout rooms, and Teams Premium features
  • Create and manage Teams meeting templates and meeting template policies (Microsoft Documentation: Manage team templates in the admin center)
  • Configure controlled content meeting policies
  • Configure Cloud Video Interop policies
  • Configure meeting recording and transcription to support Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Teams Premium
  • Configure virtual appointments, including advanced features

Configure and manage audio conferencing

Configure and manage Teams webinars

  • Configure webinar roles and presenter and attendee experience
  • Manage access to scheduling Teams webinars
  • Configure policies for Teams webinars
  • Configure in-org vs public webinars
  • Configure advanced webinar features
  • Configure attendee interaction for webinars

Configure and manage Teams Town halls

  • Configure Town Hall settings
  • Configure a Microsoft eCDN for Town halls
  • Configure advanced Town hall features
  • Configure Town halls with Teams, Viva Engage, and Microsoft Stream

3. Implementing and configuring Teams Phone (30–35%)

Create and configure Teams Phone policies

  • Create and configure a dial plan
  • Creating and Configuring calling policies (Microsoft Documentation: Calling policies in Teams)
  • Creating and Configuring call park policies
  • Creating and Configuring caller ID policies (Microsoft Documentation: Manage caller ID for users)
  • Creating and Configuring IP Phone policies
  • Creating and Configuring mobility policies
  • Creating and Configuring voicemail policies
  • Creating and Configuring call hold policies
  • Creating and Configuring outbound call restrictions
  • Creating and Configuring inbound call blocking (Microsoft Documentation: Block inbound calls)
  • Creating and Configuring routing of unassigned numbers
  • Creating and Configuring compliance recording policies
  • Creating and Configuring Shared Calling policies

Create and configure auto attendants and call queues

Configure emergency calling

  • Configure emergency calling locations
  • Configure emergency call routing policies
  • Configure emergency calling policies (Microsoft Documentation: Plan and configure dynamic emergency calling)
  • Configure networks and locations (Location Information Service (LIS))
  • Validate emergency address and emergency calling from Teams clients (Microsoft Documentation: Emergency addresses for remote locations)
  • Assign a verified emergency address location
  • Troubleshoot dynamic emergency address

Assign Teams Phone licenses, phone numbers, and policies

  • Assign a Teams Phone Standard license
  • Assign a Teams Calling Plan (Microsoft Documentation: Set up Microsoft Calling Plans)
  • Assign phone numbers to users by using the Microsoft Teams admin center (Microsoft Documentation: Manage phone numbers for users)
  • Assign phone number in bulk by using PowerShell
  • Assign phone numbers in bulk by using PowerShell
  • Assign Teams Phone policies to a specific user
  • Create and assign policy packages
  • Configure and assign Teams Phone policies by

Configure and manage calling features for Teams Phone

Configure and manage Direct Routing for Teams Phone

4. Configuring and managing Teams Rooms and devices (25–30%)

Manage and maintain Teams Rooms and devices

Configure and manage Teams Android devices

  • Configure IP phone policies
  • Create and configure device configuration profiles for Android based devices
  • Enable hotline for shared space devices
  • Deploy Android devices remotely
  • Configure custom displays for Teams Rooms on Android and Teams panels
  • Specify Intune configuration requirements for AOSP and Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) devices

Configure and manage Teams Windows devices

  • Specify domain group policy exclusions for Teams Rooms on Windows
  • Configure custom displays for Teams Rooms on Windows
  • Customize meeting room settings by using XML files on Windows
  • Configure settings for peripherals for Teams Room on Windows

Configure optional features for Teams Rooms and devices

Microsoft MS-721 Exam FAQs

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Microsoft Certification Exam Policies

Microsoft’s certification exam policies outline critical details about the exam process, including delivery formats and the rules that candidates must follow during online or in-person assessments at authorized testing centers. These policies are designed to maintain a consistent, secure, and equitable testing experience for all exam takers.

Exam Retake Policy

If a candidate does not pass the exam on their initial attempt, they must wait at least 24 hours before retaking it. This window allows time to log into the Microsoft Certification Dashboard and reschedule. For any subsequent failed attempts, a 14-day waiting period is required before the next try. This waiting period also applies between the third and fourth, and fourth and fifth attempts. Candidates are permitted a maximum of five attempts for a specific exam within a 12-month period, beginning from the date of the first attempt.

Rescheduling and Cancellation Guidelines

Microsoft provides candidates with the flexibility to modify or cancel exam appointments. No fees are applied if changes are made six or more business days prior to the scheduled exam. However, adjustments made within five business days will incur a rescheduling or cancellation fee. If a candidate fails to show up for the exam or does not reschedule at least 24 hours in advance, the full exam fee is forfeited. Under certain circumstances—such as accessibility accommodations or emergencies—Microsoft may temporarily waive associated fees.

Microsoft MS-721 Exam Study Guide

1. Understand the Exam Objectives

Understanding the exam objectives for MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer is essential for effective preparation. This exam evaluates your ability to design, implement, manage, and troubleshoot Microsoft Teams-based communication systems, including voice, video, meetings, and related infrastructure. It focuses on real-world scenarios that test your knowledge of Teams Phone, Teams Rooms, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and integration with certified devices and services. By reviewing the official skills outline, candidates can identify key focus areas—such as deploying and managing calling solutions, monitoring quality, and securing communication environments—ensuring they allocate their study time efficiently and align their knowledge with the required competencies.

2. Follow the Microsoft Learning Path

Following the official Microsoft Learning Path is a strategic way to prepare for the MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer exam. These guided learning modules are curated by Microsoft to align directly with the exam objectives, offering structured, up-to-date content that covers core concepts, practical scenarios, and hands-on exercises. Whether you’re new to certain tools or looking to deepen your expertise in Teams Phone, Teams Rooms, or Microsoft 365 Copilot, the learning path helps build the necessary skills step by step. It ensures you’re not only familiar with theoretical knowledge but also capable of applying it in real-world administrative and engineering tasks. The modules are:

3. Refer to Microsoft Docs for In-Depth Technical Guidance

Referring to Microsoft Docs is crucial for gaining in-depth technical knowledge while preparing for the MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer exam. This comprehensive resource provides detailed documentation, best practices, and real-world implementation guidance directly from Microsoft’s product teams. It covers all key technologies—such as Microsoft Teams, Teams Phone, Teams Rooms, and related admin tools—offering insights into configuration, troubleshooting, integration, and performance optimization. Using Microsoft Docs not only reinforces your understanding of core concepts but also keeps you updated with the latest features, ensuring you’re well-prepared for both the exam and practical, on-the-job scenarios.

4. Join Study Groups

Joining study groups can significantly enhance your preparation for the MS-721 exam. Engaging with a community of fellow candidates allows you to share insights, clarify complex topics, and stay motivated throughout your learning journey. Study groups—whether hosted online through forums, social media platforms, or virtual meetups—provide opportunities to discuss real-world scenarios, ask questions, and benefit from the experiences of others in similar roles. These collaborative environments often surface valuable tips and resources that might not be easily found in official materials, helping you reinforce your understanding and approach the exam with greater confidence.

5. Take MS-721 Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is a vital step in assessing your readiness for the Microsoft Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer exam. These simulated exams help you familiarize yourself with the question format, time constraints, and difficulty level, allowing you to identify areas where further review is needed. Practice tests not only reinforce your knowledge but also build your test-taking confidence by highlighting strengths and exposing gaps in understanding. Regularly reviewing your results and adjusting your study plan accordingly can greatly improve your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt.

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