Enhancing Campus Communication: Upcoming Phone System Change
We are making a significant upgrade to our campus calling system to enhance the quality and reliability of our communication services. In 2025, the university will transition to Microsoft Teams Calling. Teams Calling is a cloud-based phone system that integrates with Microsoft Teams, allowing you to make and receive calls directly within the Teams app from your computer or mobile device, enhancing communication and collaboration. This upgrade is crucial to better support the calling needs of our university community, providing more flexible phone services to connect whether on campus or working remotely.
Migration from Cisco Phone System to Microsoft Teams Calling
We are excited to announce the transition from our current physical handsets/desk phones to Microsoft Teams Calling. This campuswide initiative connects the university with the latest telephony technology. This change aims to streamline our communication systems and remove the reliance on physical handsets/desk phones for the delivery of telephone service, while making it easier to connect not only across the campus, but also with remote and hybrid faculty and staff.
We will provide further updates and detailed instructions as we approach the transition dates. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Service Desk.
Service Improvement
We have received your feedback and, after extensive data collection, it was determined that the current system was no longer the ideal provider to meet the evolving needs of the university. As working conditions have advanced to include more remote and hybrid team members, we need an enterprise solution that will better serve the campus both in accessibility and quality of service. Microsoft Teams Calling allows you to make and receive calls directly within the app from your computer or mobile device, enhancing communication and collaboration.
What is changing for users
The biggest changes that users will see are an improvement to service quality and physical equipment. With Microsoft Teams Calling, you can receive calls to your work phone number on your computer or mobile device, as long as Teams is installed on that device. This means you can stay connected and take important calls whether you're at your desk, working remotely, or on the go.
Physical handsets/desk phones will be removed as they are only functional with the current phone system. Departments, units or individuals with a demonstrated business need (such as reception desks, lobby phones and labs) will receive a new physical desk phone. The department or individual will need to make a request and we will work with you to find the best solution that will meet your needs.
Headsets will be used instead of physical phones for all other users. If a department, unit or individual needs a headset and does not already have one, we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.
What is not changing for users
While the provider and equipment will be changing with this migration, there are key services that will not be changing for users.
Current billing and existing phone numbers will not be changing with this migration. Your department will be billed the same amount as it was with Cisco and you will continue to be assigned the same phone number.
For more details, please review the FAQ below.
Getting Started
Following are Microsoft resources to help prepare you for using Teams Calling:
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Transition Terms
While the university makes these changes, it's important to be aware of some key terminology. To help alleviate confusion, please see the table below.