The Future of the Phone System @ SUNY ESF

The SUNY Digital Transformation Project (DTP) Unified Communications effort is revolutionizing the way we connect and work by integrating a new SUNY hosted phone system with Microsoft Teams (communication meets collaboration). This innovative solution addresses the challenges of our current antiquated system, such as low usage, limited capacity, and high maintenance costs, while enhancing communication and collaboration across the SUNY system of campus networks. With the SUNY Unified communications system and Microsoft Teams, employees can make and receive calls from anywhere, even with campus public phone numbers, ensuring seamless connectivity and supporting our increasingly hybrid work environment.

Timeline

Spring 2025

CNS will work with SUNY to set up the infrastructure to:

• Connect the campus network to the SUNY UC system.​
• Transfer campus outward-facing telephone numbers to the SUNY system (like transferring a phone number between carriers).
  • All inward calls begin coming directly from SUNY to the campus.
  • Outward calls go from the existing Mitel phone system to the SUNY system.
• Identify all analog devices (some phones, fax machines, etc.) and connect them locally to devices that will send these calls to the SUNY system.

Summer 2025

Coming Soon.

Fall 2025

Coming Soon

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get a headset for my desk?

CNS is currently looking for headsets that will work with the broadest cross section of the computers people use. Once a headset is identified CNS will stock them and provide them as needed. A few things to note:

• If you already use a headset, airpods, or other headphones with a microphone we encourage you to continue to do so. 
• If you do not share an office and your computer has a webcam with built-in microphone you can use that in place of a headset.
• Headsets are hard to clean so it is recommended that they are used by a single person.

Is there a way to prevent teams ringing after hours if we have teams on our cell phone?

Yes. There are multiple ways to accomplish this:

• Set your Teams status to Do Not Disturb
• iPhone focus modes allow you to configure what apps are allowed to push notifications based on a set of criteria. To setup a focus mode visit the Apple support site.

How do you call an outside number that isn’t in teams?

When your identity gets your number included and gets moved to the Teams side of the SUNY system, a number pad will appear under 'Calls' in Teams. You can then enter any number anywhere and your device will call that number through Teams.