Teams Phone for Calling

*** COMING SOON ***

OVERVIEW

Aligned with the university’s What’s Next Objective: Transform the SFU experience and SFU's digital transformation, SFU is transitioning from traditional desk phones to Microsoft Teams Phones, a modern, cost-efficient telephony solution. Teams is already in use across the university as a meeting and instant messaging tool. This move is part of SFU’s ongoing efforts to enhance communication infrastructure and better accommodate the evolving faculty and staff needs at the university.  

 

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

Timeline:  

Transition to Microsoft Teams Phones will occur in phases to ensure a smooth transition. This change will be automatic, requiring no action from the SFU community. IT support will be available throughout the transition. 

Pilot:  Scheduled to start in Q4 - 2024

Phase 1: Staff, Faculty, General Office Lines, Department Numbers, and Switchboard Agents are planned to start in early 2025.

Phase 2: Meeting Rooms.

Phase 3: Emergency Phones, Elevator Phones, Code Blue Phones, Classroom Phones, EOC Phones, Lab Phones are projected for 2025. Consultations are currently taking place to ensure a seamless transition for these specialized communication needs. 

Following these phases, the university will start decommissioning obsolete equipment as part of the upgrade process. 

Note: The implementation dates provided are tentative and subject to change. 

Why this change: 

Transitioning to Microsoft Teams phones will improve our operational efficiency and collaboration. Some of the benefits include:  

• Significant Cost Savings: By integrating phones into MS Teams, SFU will reduce its yearly phone expenses. 

• Centralized Communications: One platform to handle all forms of communications - calls, video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing - eliminates inefficiencies and complexity that comes with using multiple systems.  

• Improved Call Management: With MS Teams, users can manage their calls seamlessly across multiple devices - whether from a computer, smartphone, or tablet - and from any location, be it the office, home, or while traveling.  

• Better Call Quality: MS Teams improves call quality by reducing background noise and echo.  

• Improved Call Routing: Better call routing will ensure calls are answered more quickly and efficiently.  

• Retention of Existing Phone Numbers: To ensure continuity and convenience, all existing numbers will be migrated to the new system, making the transition smooth. 

To learn more, see the FAQs or explore the How-to-Guides section.