As part of our unified communications initiative, we are pleased to announce that Queens College will replace the Avaya Telephone System with a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system. This upgrade is part of Queens College's modern, unified approach to communication through the use of the CUNY login and cloud technology. These provide an integrative approach to communication which gives users access to a set of systems that has a consistent user interface and experience across multiple devices and media types. This project will be accomplished through capital funding.
The Avaya Telephone System currently in use was deployed in 1995 and provides approximately 4,000 extensions, 2,300 analog handsets, and 1,650 digital connections to staff and faculty. It is in need of an upgrade as there have been recurring performance and service issues. Our business needs, particularly since the transition to distance education and remote work, have outpaced the system. The current telephone handsets will be replaced with user-friendly handsets that feature technology such as intuitive call controls, optimal HD audio, visual voicemail, directory access, accessibility features, enhanced mobility with built in WiFi and Bluetooth, adjustable displays, touch screens and hard-key buttons, and a dedicated Microsoft Teams button. The new VoIP phone system will support our growing and ever-evolving institutional needs by facilitating team collaboration, on-the-go communication between different devices with a single click, and Microsoft Teams integration.
Continuant has been engaged as the vendor for this system, and the project is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2022. A project status page is available at
www.qc.cuny.edu/Computing/Pages/PMO-Projects.aspx so you can follow the progress of this and other projects. We will also provide monthly project status updates. As we prepare to launch this new system, we will host Q&A sessions, provide training, and build a comprehensive documentation repository. For FAQs, go to our Fresh Service knowledge base at
https://support.qc.cuny.edu/support/solutions/articles/15000053662.