Certain Cisco models were replaced with newer versions in the latest round of purchasing. The new models have the same functionality as the sets previously deployed, despite a slightly different look.

Centrix line conversion represents large cost savings for the university. Training session is in the process of being video-captured. Unity voicemail upgrade is planned for the end of January 2009.

The Rolling Project Totals include 23 PBX/Key systems retired and 2,595 VoIP phone sets working on the system. Planning for the Unity infrastructure upgrade is underway with Cisco’s support.

VoIP updates include the completion of emergency response functionality by the E911 Team and the continuation of Unity infrastructure upgrade planning.

Call Manager v6.1 is now up and running and cutovers were successful. The IPCC Call Center upgrade is being planned to occur during the week of May 19th, and will result in a more robust environment. To complete the infrastructure upgrade, Unity is scheduled to occur in July. This will provide a more solid and robust infrastructure to build upon over the next several years, according to Vasbinder.

Reaching a total of 1,372 successfully installed VoIP phone units, and approximately another 100 units expected to be in place in the next two weeks, project leader Barbara Vasbinder reported on the project progress.

Close to 1200 phones in total have been installed as part of the VoIP project, Barbara Vasbinder, project leader, reported.  The installation schedule is picking up pace, and will do so even more as the IPLogic technicians come on board.  IPLogic is preparing to install the infrastructure upgrade for the Call Center and Unity.  Installs are currently happening at Dental Medicine, and will next occur at the Ellicott Complex.  Peter Rittner, also a project leader, assured the group that 'the College of Arts of Sciences' implementation, the next major area to be implemented, should go very quickly and help the statistics of the timeline, due to its homogeneity and familiarity with the feature set.”

• Installation schedule

1,100 phones out of a planned total of 8,000, have been installed on the system to date, stated project leader Barb Vasbinder.

The implementation schedule for being converted to the VoIP phone system is the big question for the VoIP project leaders.

883 VoIP phone sets have been installed on the system! Although the project has been severely impacted because of the unexpected loss of key personnel, progress is being made due to the team members' fortitude and perseverance, reported Mark Deuell, project leader and Director of Operational Support Services.

The VoIP project is moving forward and phone sets in the School of Management are about to be deployed. Students to assist with the installation have been hired and are scheduled to begin during the week of April 23rd. Consultation meetings with the Dental School, which is next to be implemented with VoIP, have begun.

The project is on target with the implementation schedule. School of Management and the Dental School are the first two deployments and are on time. Aside from minor glitches, the project is successfully being implemented as planned.

The project team is working toward finalizing the project plan, which includes the implementation schedule, a financial plan and implementation task details. Recipient departments are currently being surveyed to provide efficient planning information about desired phone sets and required functionality. A major hardware system upgrade is being planned for late spring / early summer.

The schedule will be posted as soon as it is finalized. It is expected to be ready by the end of January 2007. Those units wishing to have their installs moved up on the schedule can do so, but outside of the project.

The VOIP project moves into the implementation stage after obtaining a green light from the steering committee. Action plans are under review to begin installations in early spring for the buildings and departments at the top of the priority list.

Funding approval for the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) project occurred, and the implementation team is actively working on the implementation schedule. The Team is hopeful to begin implementation in January. Also, Active Directory and DNS services have begun consolidating.

The VOIP project as "given the green light to proceed". Significant effort was expended on repackaging the project scope and business justification to ensure top level buy-in. The VOIP project is now poised to begin implementation.

The UB Phone System Alternative Team is working with the senior leadership on developing a sustainable financial model to implement VOIP as an alternative phone system. It should be noted that the Voice over IP alternative is currently offered to campus entities who wish to utilize this technology to augment or replace their current telephone systems, but at departmental cost. The Team expects the financial plans for consolidating the phone systems to be finalized this fall.