New campus telephone project underway
Improved telephone and voice mail features, unique 7-digit numbers for everyone on campus, and increased campus safety are some of the many benefits of the new telephone system. (Photo by: (stock photo))
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
By: Jan Jones
After several years of study, consultation, and vendor review, the University is about to embark on a huge project - to replace its antiquated telephone system with a new, fully integrated PBX that will tie the whole campus together and add many new services.
“This will be a huge improvement,” said Carol Parkhurst, Director of Planning for the Information Technology (IT) Division and Telephone Project Manager. “We’ve been dealing with more than 100 independent departmental key systems of various brands and vintages and 4,200 separate telephone lines. Soon, we’ll have one integrated system with a consistent dialing plan that will improve our telephone service, reliability, and even campus safety.”
New Features
Parkhurst said that the new system, which is coming in January 2007, will include an Enhanced 9-1-1 system that tracks calls to specific room locations, to help emergency personnel find the person in need.
It will also give everyone on campus a unique 7-digit telephone number and eliminate the confusion of the various dialing plans we have now. If someone already has a 7-digit number, they will keep it. Those who currently have extensions will get a new phone number.
The Timeline
Parkhurst and Western Telecommunications Consulting, Inc. have narrowed the field to two vendors. They are proceeding with negotiations and will select one of them by late summer.
In the meantime, the IT Telcomm Department is beginning a complete inventory of all telephone equipment on campus. Each department has appointed a Telephone Design Coordinator, who will facilitate this inventory process, train in the new system, and choose new equipment for their department, based on the needs of their faculty and staff.
After selecting the vendor later this summer, equipment will be ordered in late fall, with installation over Winter Break, and implementation in January 2007.
Related Links
New PBX Telephone System Coming in 2007!
