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General Information
Click each question to expand for more information.
What is changing?
UTC is transitioning campus telephone services from Avaya to RingCentral as part of a broader modernization effort to improve reliability, flexibility, and the overall telecommunications experience across campus.
Why is UTC making this change?
The transition to RingCentral will replace aging phone system infrastructure with a modern cloud-based platform that better supports the current and future communication needs of the campus community.
Has this project been approved?
Yes. The project has officially been approved and is now moving forward.
When will the transition begin?
The migration is scheduled to begin in June 2026.
How will the rollout happen?
The migration will occur one building at a time to help keep the process organized and manageable while minimizing disruption to campus operations.
Will departments be notified before their phones are migrated?
Yes. Before work begins in a specific building or department area, IT will communicate directly with department leadership to share details, timelines, and expectations for that phase of the transition.
Will the transition disrupt communication between departments?
IT will maintain interoperability between Avaya and RingCentral during the migration so departments with staff in different buildings or at different phases of the rollout can continue communicating without interruption.
Will phone service be unavailable during the transition?
IT’s goal is to make the transition as smooth and minimally disruptive as possible. Some brief service interruptions may be necessary during cutover activities, but departments will receive advance communication before any scheduled work.
Phone Numbers and Features
Will my phone number or extension change?
No. Existing phone extensions will remain the same throughout the transition.
What is RingCentral?
RingCentral is a modern cloud-based telecommunications platform that provides phone services with enhanced flexibility, reliability, and functionality.
What benefits does RingCentral provide?
RingCentral offers several improvements, including:
- A more modern calling experience
- Enhanced flexibility for desktop and mobile use
- Improved reliability through cloud-based infrastructure
- Better support for evolving campus communication needs
- A more scalable platform for the future
Will text messaging be available through RingCentral?
Text messaging through RingCentral will not be available during Phase 1 of the project. During Phase 2, additional options will be available for departments interested in enabling SMS text messaging.
Should I use RingCentral for video conferencing and collaboration?
RingCentral includes video conferencing and messaging capabilities; however, Zoom and Microsoft Teams remain UTC’s preferred and supported platforms for virtual meetings, video conferencing, and team collaboration.
RingCentral will serve as UTC’s primary platform for business voice services and should be used by employees who need to make or receive calls using their UTC phone number.
Can I forward my UTC calls to my personal cell phone?
Direct call forwarding to a personal cell phone will no longer be offered as a standard feature. Instead, users who need to make or receive UTC calls from a mobile device should use the RingCentral Mobile App.
The RingCentral Mobile App allows users to manage their UTC calls from their mobile device while keeping their personal phone number private. Users can also configure work hours and notification preferences to help manage when work-related calls are received.
Department Preparation and Support
What should departments do now?
Departments can begin preparing by:
- Reviewing any special phone needs, such as shared lines, common-area phones, or call handling requirements
- Identifying business processes that rely heavily on telephone service
- Watching for communication from IT about their building’s migration timeline
Who will IT coordinate with?
IT will work directly with department leadership before each building or area is scheduled for migration.
Will IT provide support during the project?
Yes. IT staff will work closely with departments throughout the transition and will be available to assist with planning, coordination, questions, and support.
Ongoing Communication
How will I learn more about the transition?
Additional updates and information will be shared as the project progresses.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Departments and employees should contact Information Technology by submitting a ticket with questions about the RingCentral transition, timelines, support, or special phone requirements.