That phone on your desk is about to be replaced or eliminated. (In some places in the VCCS, the process already has begun.) 
The VCCS is transitioning from our current Cisco phones to Microsoft Teams Voice. Managers say the change will streamline how we connect and will offer new capabilities and flexibility. Rollout of the new system already has begun at some of our colleges and will arrive at the System Office in early March.
“We know there will be a learning curve, but this new system represents an upgrade in our ability to communicate and collaborate and we’re confident that users will appreciate the advantages that Teams Voice will give us,” said Dr. Tommy Wright, VCCS Sr. Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations.
Importantly, your current office phone number will not change; there’s no need to replace business cards or memorize a new number.
Many VCCS employees have some working knowledge of Microsoft Teams, the collaboration tool already installed on VCCS computers. The new Teams Voice capabilities will be accessed using the phone icon (seen at left) within the Teams app.
When Teams Voice is installed for you:
- All work-related calls can be made from your laptop or through the Teams app on your mobile device. Once your Microsoft profile is updated with the Teams Voice feature, you can place calls to any number—whether the recipient is a Teams user or internal or external to the VCCS community. You will log into your VCCS Teams account on any device, and you can place or receive a call using your work number.
- Calls made using Teams on your mobile phone will display your office number, not your personal number.
If your supervisor determines that you need a desk phone, several Teams Voice desk phone models will be available to replace your current Cisco unit
Not familiar with Microsoft Teams?
The Teams Voice project team will provide training videos and materials to help you get started.
Timetable: Wave 1 Implementation already has begun.
The project kickoff and discovery sessions are complete for Piedmont, Wytheville, Mountain Empire, and New River. Weekly status calls are hosted by the implementation team, which is creating the technical implementation plan for the colleges to review.
The system office is further along. The implementation plan was accepted, MS Teams was configured for Teams Voice, user acceptance testing passed, and the transition to Teams Voice has begun.
Wave 2 Implementation:
Southwest Virginia, Mountain Gateway, Blue Ridge, Virginia Highlands, and Laurel Ridge will be contacted as we complete Wave 1 implementations.
To get a preview of Teams Voice in action, take a moment to watch this Microsoft video: Using Teams Voice.
