USF IT is completing an initiative to convert existing phone numbers to the Microsoft Teams platform, allowing for "soft phone" functionality on your existing devices (laptop, pc, mac, and mobile).

Features

• Answer your office calls from any device you install Teams on.
• Call 10-digit phone numbers from your assigned office number.
• Customize your voicemail, including your greeting.
• Call forwarding, simultaneous ring, and call groups.
• Share your phone line with a delegate.
• Put calls on hold, and transfer calls.
• View and add contacts, and easily access your call history.

Note:  The following connection methods are NOT supported for Teams Calling and may not work or work properly:

• Using Teams Calling via VMWare View
• Using Teams Calling while remotely connected (RDP) to another workstation
• Using Teams Calling on a cellular device with a connection slower/lower than 4G

Notice Regarding E911

Your soft phone's registered location is your physical campus office location by default. If you fail to update your registered location to your current location, it may result in emergency personnel being dispatched to the incorrect location. When calling 911 from your soft phone, USF recommends providing the 911 dispatcher with your current location.

Teams Automated Disconnection Policy

It is the responsibility of the subscribing department to inform IT when an employee is departing the university. Once the affiliation change is processed by IT, the Microsoft Teams phone number is no longer in service unless Telecom is notified of the new, existing user to be associated with that phone number. If there is no communication after five business days, Telecom will process a disconnect order.
for the phone number.

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Voicemail

Voicemail in Teams is enabled by default, and you can customize it, or even turn it off. 

Features

• Custom recorded greeting messages.
• Text to speech greetings
• Custom out of office message that automatically enables when you set your Out of Office in Outlook.
  
  

How do I disable voicemail?

• To disable voicemail, in your Teams client go to Settings -> Calls -> and under If unanswered setting, select Do nothing

How do I check voicemail?

• You can check your voicemail by selecting Calls ->"Voicemail" in Teams. For detailed instructions, click here.

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Main Resources

USF Teams Calling Quick Start

Microsoft Teams Calls

Manage your call settings in Teams

Polycom CCX Handset Quick Start Guide 

USF IT Recommended Devices  

It is USF IT policy that departments are responsible for providing headsets or handsets for their individual users. The Telecom Team can support any device available in the Microsoft Teams Store. To ensure appropriate sound quality, headsets should support full duplex. Available headsets can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/across-devices/devices/category/headsets/36. Available desk phone models can be found at  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/across-devices/devices/category/desk-phones-teams-displays/34. While a single device type is not mandated, the Telecom Team has successfully tested, deployed, and recommends the Yealink MP56 model of Teams phone at the university. The MP56 is available for purchase from GovConnection, as well as other sellers.

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USF IT Provided Devices  

The USF IT Telecom Team is sunsetting the Avaya phone system and will no longer be providing new Avaya handsets. IT will provide Microsoft Teams handsets for use with Microsoft Teams Calling in the following situations:

• For VIP users as defined as Dean/Vice President, or above
• For General use Departmental Phones (GDP) /common area phones (first handset issuance only or to replace a prior installed Polycom GDP device). A GDP device is defined as a handset used individually by multiple users in a generally accessible area and not associated with a single USF NetID.
• To replace an individual user Polycom handset, if malfunctioning and unfixable, for users who purchased Polycom devices based on prior recommendation from USF IT

Like computing devices, departments are responsible for providing headsets or handsets for users to use with Microsoft Teams Calling. Departments should expect to update inventory cyclically as with computing devices.

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FAQ's and Additional Resources

Hardware Requirements

• To learn about hardware requirements for Teams Callings, please visit https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/hardware-requirements-for-the-teams-app

How do I call a phone number from Teams?

• Select the Calls section in Teams and then enter the phone number. For additional directions, click here

How do I start a call from a chat in Teams?

• From your chat, select the Call button in the upper right. For additional directions click here.

How do I answer a call in Teams?

• You will receive a ring notice on your devices when you receive a call. Select the answer button on the notification. For a detailed walk through visit the Microsoft Support page.

Can I do call forwarding or groups?

• Yes, you can forward your calls within your own Teams client, and configure call groups. For a walkthrough review the information here.

How can I set up delegates to take my calls?

• To add a delegate, review the instructions here.

I want to keep my Avaya phone - can I opt out?

• No, there is no opt-out process for this. We are moving to a new system and cannot support two separate environments.

How will I take / receive calls via teams without a phone on my desk?

• Review the content above for receiving calls. In short, it works just like a Teams meeting. You can use your smartphone, headset, or other audio devices.

Will I be getting a handset or headset?

• Your department can order a compatible headset or Teams phone device however. Review the list above for approved devices.

Can I transfer calls, or screen calls?

• Yes, both of these are fully supported. To transfer to someone directly, select more options then transfer.

• You also have the option to consult then transfer, which allows you to screen your calls.

• For more information click here.

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