Ģ����Ƶ

Ģ����Ƶ University is modernizing its phone system by implementing Microsoft Teams Calling as the primary telephone solution.

This change is part of the Telephone Modernization Project (TMP), which replaces outdated desk phones with a flexible, reliable system that works on computers, tablets and mobile devices. 

What is Teams Calling?

Teams Calling allows faculty and staff to make and receive calls directly from the Microsoft Teams app on their computer, tablet or mobile device—without needing a separate desk phone. Early users say the biggest benefits are reliability, the ability to work from anywhere, and the convenience of removing extra hardware.

How the migration worked

From May through August, OHIO IT began migrating individual user, single line desk phones, one planning unit at a time.  Phones in shared spaces and safety-related phones will remain on campus.

To minimize disruption and support users, OHIO IT:

• Communicated with planning unit leadership
• Provided knowledge base articles and unit training sessions
• Validated phone data
• Met with individual stakeholders to discuss use cases
• Collected user feedback through surveys

Results so far

• 89% of faculty and staff who attended training agreed they had the tools, support and resources needed to succeed with Teams Calling.
• More than 1,600 faculty and staff are already using Teams Calling successfully, with a low number of follow-up support requests.

“The transition from hardwired desk phones to Teams phones for the College of Business was remarkably smooth,” said Linda Johnston, executive assistant in the College of Business.  “We provided the team with a list of all current employees and their phone numbers, and they expertly guided us through what to expect, offering valuable training tutorials along the way. Faculty and staff are especially appreciating the newfound freedom and flexibility of being wireless—taking calls from anywhere without being tethered to their desks. The process of collecting the old phones was seamless as well, with a central drop-off location in the building and students going office-to-office to gather them, making it easy for recycling to pick them up.”

Next steps

In the coming weeks, OHIO IT will be reaching out to planning unit leadership with remaining faculty and staff to plan the migration of all eligible users by Dec. 1, 2025.  If you’d like to make the switch today, you can submit your request by