Supplement to the information sent out last week by email

The University is in the process of rolling out a new telecommunications package called Skype for Business.  (This was previously branded as Microsoft Lync).  The need to do this has become somewhat urgent as the University’s existing PABX telecommunications service is approaching 40 years old and has reached the end of its serviceable life to the point where it is now a significant risk for the University.

There is a window of opportunity to begin upgrading Library staff to Skype for Business beginning August 8th.  It is expected up to 60 staff could have Skype for Business installed in the first week and the rest will be completed as the team installing Skype for Business has slots available.  An appointment will be made with each staff member and one of the team installing Skype for Business will provide a 45 minute 1-1 induction showing you how it all works.

Skype for Business will provide a new experience with phone and video calling, online meetings and messaging.  Our existing phones will be retired as the new service uses computers (voice over IP) instead of the old copper network.   Headsets connected to our PCs are used for receiving and making phone calls.  There will be some changes and differences – for example the *41 Call pickup system won’t work in the same way that we have at present but there will be other options and possibilities for picking up other phones.

Initially we will still keep our old phones until we are all happy with how Skype for Business is working.  Skype for Business has some quite powerful tools (ability to integrate with Outlook and other Microsoft Office applications, Apps for using on mobile devices) along with various settings, options and preferences for handling phone calls, redirecting to mobiles and accessing voicemail.

We will explore options for retaining at least one copper connection (old phone) in each Library so we can stay in touch (eg with Security) during power outages.   We will also explore the options for the generic phone numbers in each library, perhaps through a call centre option.

Request to be part of the upgrade by adding your details here.  To the ‘Data Validation’ message, answer Yes. To the ‘Open Document’ message, select Edit, and OK.  Then please remember to save before closing the file.