Project Overview
Information Technology Services is undertaking a project to fully adopt Microsoft Teams for campus communication and collaboration needs. During the project, faculty and staff already using softphones (a software-based app that allows for phone calls using a computer or laptop rather than a dedicated physical phone) will transition from Cisco Webex to Microsoft Teams for phone calls. A compatible physical phone solution will be offered for those who continue to need one. The project also will transition the university’s preferred tool for group meetings, and webinars from Webex to Teams.
Microsoft Teams is already a widely used collaboration tool on campus, for chat, video calling and small group meetings. With its popularity, Microsoft Teams was chosen to consolidate calling and collaboration needs.
The transition to Teams for calling and collaboration efforts simplifies the number of tools the campus community must maintain on their devices and can lead to cost savings for departments. Teams will include the features already available for softphones as well as many enhancements like better location services for emergency calling.
The project will include transitioning away from physical phones and analog technology in preference of Teams for all voice calling.
The preferred video conferencing, webinar and group meeting application will also transition to Microsoft Teams.
Project Details
The first phase of the migration will transition faculty and staff to the new solution. This migration will occur in groups of departments and colleges to move both physical and software phones. Those impacted will be notified in advanced and provided instructions and training for their new softphone service.
Teams will become the preferred videoconferencing solution. The campus community will be encouraged to utilize Teams over other videoconferencing and meeting apps.
As the project progresses, transitioning identified physical phones to softphones using Teams will be completed as needed.
The project will also focus on solutions for campus call centers and steps needed to replace aging analog technology.