About Microsoft Teams Phone for Faculty & Staff

Switching to Microsoft Teams Phone offers numerous advantages for our institution. By transitioning from traditional physical phone sets to this integrated communication platform, we can enhance collaboration and efficiency. Microsoft Teams Phone provide a seamless experience by integrating voice calls, video meetings, and messaging within a single interface accessible from any device, anywhere. This shift allows for better flexibility and mobility, enabling staff to stay connected whether they are on campus or remote. Additionally, it reduces hardware costs and simplifies IT management, as there is no longer a need to maintain physical phone infrastructure. Embracing Microsoft Teams Phone not only modernizes our communication tools but also supports a more connected and agile campus environment.

Yes, we are committed to delivering reliable communication experiences to meet your calling needs and enabling ways to stay connected even when a disruption occurs. Since Teams Phone runs on Microsoft infrastructure, it can enable reliability in ways that are difficult to replicate from other providers.

Physical phone sets are being phased out to improve connectivity, simplify asset management, and reduce costs at BCIT. This change allows BCIT to maintain fewer applications and fully utilize M365 benefits, enhancing connectivity and promoting faster work.

BCIT will coordinate with departments to schedule the retrieval of existing Cisco phones currently on desks.

Physical phones will only be retained if a proven business need is demonstrated. The expectation is that they will not be replaced.

If you believe you need a physical phone for business purposes, please discuss it with your manager.

Users will keep their existing phone number.

If users have an internal local (shared line), a new number will be allocated to them.

Currently, BCIT colleagues can use Microsoft Teams to make internal calls to other BCIT colleagues or people within their network. BCIT will now enhance Teams with inbound and external calling features, enabling you to make calls through your desktop, laptop, or mobile phone. The Telephony project will include all the services you expect, such as voicemail, call forwarding, message greetings, and more.

Please refer to these article for instructions:

Using Microsoft Teams Phone features for Windows and Mac

Using Microsoft Teams Phone on your Mobile Device

If you have been assigned a phone number, you can make one-on-one calls just as if you were using your traditional phone.

Dialing 9 is no longer needed.  To make an outside call, enter the full number.  The format will be: [Area Code] [7-digit number].

All users can make calls within Canada and the mainland U.S.
Note: Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and similar locations are not considered part of the mainland U.S.

For these calls, dial [Area Code] [7-digit number].
• Dialing 9 before the number is no longer required.

Please note that international calling is not automatically enabled for everyone.

If you have a business need to make international calls but are unable to, please submit a request to the ITS Service Catalogue to enable this feature. When submitting a ticket, please include the word “MSTEAMSPHONE” and provide a detailed description to ensure proper assignment.

Yes, Jabber is part of the Cisco solution and will be transitioning to Microsoft Teams. Until the end of 2024, you will still have access to Jabber Chat features, but not to calls. Please save any important chats from Jabber that you need to keep.

For headset needs, please coordinate with your manager, as these purchases are funded by individual departments.

BCIT has provided recommendations for suitable headsets.

Yes, Microsoft Teams Phone can handle multiple phone lines. The receptionist can manage both lines from the Teams interface, seamlessly switching between them as needed. Through delegation, the receptionist will have access to both numbers and can answer calls for each line effectively.

In the example screenshot below, the person has access to three lines:

1. Their own Personal number.
2. A department line.
3. A coworker’s line, which has been assigned to them as a delegate.

If you would like to set up a department line, please submit a request to the ITS Service Catalogue with the necessary details for programming. When submitting a ticket, please include the word “MSTEAMSPHONE” and provide a detailed description to ensure proper assignment.

To minimize disruptions on your laptop or computer while teaching, consider silencing Teams calls. Here are a couple of ways to do this.

Turn on Do not disturb

1. Click your profile picture at the top of the page.
2. Select Do not disturb from the status menu.
   Note: While in ‘Do not disturb’ mode, calls will go directly to voicemail.
   

Sign out of the app

1. Click on your profile picture at the top of the page.
2. Select Sign out.
   Note: Don’t forget to sign back in after class.