On June 14, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) successfully migrated the University’s Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system to a cloud-hosted Cisco Dedicated Instance platform. This strategic upgrade marks a significant step toward modernizing campus communications, improving reliability, and future-proofing infrastructure.
How the Migration Happened
The migration began at 7:00 AM and continued through 5:00 PM, during which all campus phones experienced a brief reboot. Voicemail delivery and access were temporarily restricted, and users who receive voicemail notifications via email were advised they might see duplicate alerts once the system came back online. While phone service was fully restored by Saturday evening, the voicemail system required additional time over the weekend to synchronize and preserve saved messages.
Why Move to the Cloud?
Migrating to a cloud-hosted Cisco Dedicated Instance offers several advantages:
- Scalability: Cloud infrastructure allows for easier expansion and integration with future technologies.
- Reliability: Hosted solutions reduce the risk of hardware failures and improve uptime.
- Security: Cisco’s platform includes robust security features and compliance support.
- Cost Efficiency: Moving to the cloud reduces the need for on-premises hardware maintenance and upgrades.
- Flexibility: This move enables remote management and better support for hybrid work environments.
This move aligns with broader trends in enterprise IT, where cloud-hosted communication platforms are becoming the standard for organizations seeking agility and resilience.
What’s Next in Communications Platforms
Microsoft Teams Dialing is available upon request. This deployment enables faculty and staff to make and receive phone calls directly within the Microsoft Teams interface—no desk phone required. By integrating voice calling into the same platform used for chat, meetings, and collaboration, Teams Dialing simplifies workflows and supports flexible work environments. If you are interested in Teams Dialing, you can request it from the IT Service Desk at ITSD@ua.edu or (205) 348-5555.