Teams Phone for Calling

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Teams Phone for Calling

FAQs and Common Issues

Changes to SFU Phones

How-To Guides

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:  

The migration to MS Teams Phones will occur in phases to ensure a smooth transition. This change will primarily be automated, but staff will be provided with training, training resources and IT support to ensure a successful migration to Teams Phone usage. 


Due to their unique nature, each phase will be individually planned and executed. Following is the projected implementation sequence, with initial target dates.

The major elements of the transition include the following:

Planning and Preparation

  • Telco Vendor Selection and Negotiation
  • Prepare Funding, Support Models
  • Refine and approve implementation approach

Implementation / Roll-out

Implementation will include: 

  • Pilot- target Q1/2025 
  • Faculty and Staff, General office lines
  • Classrooms and Meeting Spaces 
  • Emergency Phones 
  • Special Cases (as necessary)

Decommissioning and Clean-up

MS Teams Phone Planning and Preparation flow diagram

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.  

  • 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.   

Questions? Please contact phones@sfu.ca

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