Why are we changing the phone system?   Although purchased used our old Nortel system has served us well over the last 9 years but it is beginning to show it’s age with a variety of problems necessitating periodic restarts of the system.  

What is the new system?   The system we are installing is software based.  The software is called Pingtel SipXchange.   Pingtel is a leader in the VOIP marketplace.  VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol  what this means that in most cases we will no longer be using the copper phone lines in our offices but using our network infrastructure to move calls around campus.  Tech Services has been using this system for 6 months with very few issues. 

Will we get new Phones?   Yes, everyone on the new system will be getting a new phone.  This phone will closely match your existing phone in function and capability.   

Will I be able to do all the things I used to do with my old phone?   Yes, in most cases functionality will increase although there may be a few things that are done differently in the new system.  

When will this upgrade be taking place? The upgrade is scheduled to take place over several weeks starting next week.

What is involved in the changeover? For the end user not much will change.  Tech Services will come into the office and set up the new phone and provide some basic instruction on the use of the phone and new voicemail.  More detailed instructions will be provided to Administrative personnel with more complex multi-line phones. 

Does this mean my phone calls go over the internet?  No, calls will still go over our phone circuits provided by our phone vendor PAETEC.