General questions related to our old (Cisco) and new (MS Teams) phone system
Will all current users with phone numbers continue to have a phone number?
No, only users that have a need to contact vendors, clients, etc will continue to have phone numbers and the MS Teams softphone or Poly common area phone.
Will I still have a desk phone?
No, we will no longer have desk phones. The only hard phones will be at the Front Desk, Poly common area desk/wall phones and clean phones.
Will I still have the same phone number?
For those of you who are having your phone numbers ported, you will have the same number. There are a few users who did not have direct inward dial numbers who will be changing their numbers.
Will Cisco IPC and Finesse still work?
No, Cisco IPC will be replaced be the MS Teams phone client (softphone) and Finesse will be replaced by Cisco Webcc.
Will I need to be connected to a VPN client for MS Teams phone system to work?
No, your MS Teams softphone does not need to be connected to the VPN to work. Please note that you may have other apps that will still need a VPN connection.
When will my desk phone be removed?
We anticipate removal of all desk phones by the end of January 2025 as these leased items must be returned.
Will there be any hard phones in the NJ/PA/CA offices?
Yes, there will be clean phones, Poly common area desk/wall phones and the Front Desk phone.
What happens with my Cisco Voicemail messages?
Cisco Voicemail messages will be lost when we take down the Cisco system by the end of January 2025. We recommend setting up your MS Teams voicemail greeting if you have a MS Teams softphone.
What happens with my Cisco Voicemail greetings?
Cisco Voicemail greetings will be lost when we take down the Cisco system by the end of January 2025.
Will 4-digit dial still work between sites?
Yes, provided you are using a MS Teams softphone or a Poly common area desk/wall phone or a clean phone.
Will I still need to dial a leading 9 to dial an outside number?
No, the leading 9 does not need to be dialed however the call will be completed even if you use the leading 9.
Will users who do not have MS Teams phone system licenses be able to make phone calls
Although you will not have a softphone, you can still converse using your MS Teams client by setting up a MS Teams meeting and providing the Call In/Audio Only number or by using a Poly common area/wall phone.
How can I “call” a user who does not have a MS Teams phone system license?
Team member to team member communications can be done using MS Teams so you do not need to use the MS Teams phone system.
If a user doesn’t need a Phone system license now, will they be able to get one in the future?
If there is a business need for a MS Teams phone system license, we can provide one.
Specific questions on our new (MS Teams) phone system
What is the difference between a hardphone and a softphone?
A hardphone is a physical or hardware phone such as a desk phone, wall phone or clean room phone. A softphone is a software phone that is part of your MS Teams client if you have it installed on your computer or cell phone.
How do I make a phone call from my MS Teams client?
Simply go to the Calls tab on your MS Teams and enter the number you wish to call in the Type a name or number field and the press the Call button.
Can I make international/LD/Toll free calls?
Yes, international/LD and Toll free calls can be made from the MS Teams phone.
What are those numbers that show up below the entered number field when I enter characters in the Teams softphone?
Those number correspond to the equivalent letters on the dial pad a are used when using vanity number such as 1855-MTF-ITHD.
Can I dial vanity numbers such as 1855-MTF-ITHD or 1800-flowers?
Yes, if you type letters in the number field, the equivalent numbers will populate below the field and then you can click in them and the call button to initiate the call.
How do I know if I have missed a call?
Your missed Teams and Teams phone calls will show up in the History portion of the Calls page. You can also view only missed calls by filtering the history by Missed.
How do I transfer/conference/place calls on hold?
While in a call, you will see the options to place a call on hold, pull up the dial pad or transfer the call at the top of the call window. To conference in a number, use the People option similar to in MS Teams, then type the number or name of the person you want to conference in.
How do I set up a speed dial?
Add the number and contact information using the +contact button
How do I set up my voicemail greetings and what happens if I do not set it up?
If you do not set up a voicemail greeting, the system default greeting will play. To setup your personal greeting, go to the MS Teams Call tab, then Settings > Calls > Record a greeting button and follow the voice prompts.
How do I get my voicemail, and will I get VM to Email?
To retrieve your voicemail, go to the Calls tab and filter your History by Voicemail at the top of the screen. Select the VM you wish to listen to and press the Play button on the right side of the screen. You also have the option to play the voicemail from your email by double clicking on the audio mp3 file. Please note that if you sort your email by Focused/Other, these voicemail to emails will default to the Other section.
Are there any plans for spam call filtering and/or blocking of specific numbers?
You can manually block spam calls in the History by clicking the three dots to the right of the number (more options) then select Block from the drop-down menu. You can unblock calls that you have blocked using the same method and selecting Unblock. We have plans to implement blocking Spam Risk numbers in the future.
Can I get my Teams phone calls on my cell phone?
If you have the MS Teams client on your cell phone, it will ring anytime you get a MS Teams or MS Teams phone call. You can also setup call forwarding to your cell phone by going to the MS Teams Call tab, then Settings > Calls > slide the Forward all calls slider to the right and select the Forward to a new number or contact option. Then enter the number or contact you wish to forward your calls to.
How do I prevent the MS Teams MS Team Phone call “screen pop” from disrupting me while I’m in a mtg?
On the Calls tab, in the lower left corner, ensure that Forward to Voicemail is selected from the drop-down menu. When you complete your meeting, select Don’t forward from the drop down menu. You can also set your Teams status to Do Not Disturb. When you complete your meeting, reset your status. (Note these settings will affect both MS Teams and MS Teams phone system calls).
How can I prevent my cell phone and LT Teams client from ringing me after hours?
On the Calls tab, in the lower left corner, ensure that Forward to Voicemail is selected from the drop-down menu. When you back to work, select Don’t forward from the drop down menu. This can also be done via the Teams status selection. (Note these settings will affect both MS Teams and MS Teams phone system calls).
