URAC’s current phone system will reach “end-of-life” this year, meaning it will no longer be supported by our vendors. The new phone system is “cloud-based,” integrates with Skype for Business and Salesforce, and has some convenient capabilities, such as not having to dial 9 to get an outside line, and not having to look up a staff person's four-digit extension (since we won't have extensions anymore!). There are some action items for you this week and next week -- detailed in this article.   

Before I get to the features of the new phone system, here's what you need to know about the dates and what you need to do (don't worry - we'll send reminder emails).

To do now:
To get ready for the change to our new system, please change your URAC password by using Ctrl-Alt-Delete and clicking on Change Password. You can do this anytime between now and tomorrow (Friday June 2). The current Skype for Business client will stop working tomorrow at noon, and you won’t be able to reconnect to Skype for Business until you’ve changed your URAC password.

Wednesday June 7:
We’ll be getting the new phone equipment on June 7, the day our system is switched to the new system. Please be sure to retrieve any voicemails you have saved prior to June 7, because they will not be available after the switch over.

• For Office-based Employees: When you come into the office on Wednesday June 7, you’ll see an additional phone on your desk. At noon Eastern Time, landline service will be unavailable for up to 60 minutes. You may use your cell phone if you need phone service during this time. IT will be circulating around the office to swap the phones. Then, you’ll need to do a one-time login to your new phone using your email address and password (IT will provide instructions with your new phone). If you'll be out of the office on June 7, don't worry -- you can get set up when you return to the office.
• For Remote Employees: You will receive the phone and power brick shortly (please do not connect it until noon Eastern Time on June 7). We’ll send you instructions via email on how to connect your phone. You’ll need to do a one-time login to your new phone using your email address and password.

What are the new features?

Our phones will be integrated with Skype for Business, allowing you to perform many of the things you currently use your phones for within the Skype app, even if using the physical phone for calls. This includes: 

• Placing calls by entering the number into Skype 
• Placing calls by clicking on a phone number on a website that you wish to dial 
• Placing calls by selecting a “favorite” in Skype and selecting call 
• Transferring live calls 
• Setting up and adding or removing users from conference calls 
• Much more! 

What’s happening to our current features? 

• Voicemail: Everyone will have a new Voicemail box. You will be able to access your voicemail from your physical phone, by calling in, or through Outlook. It's your choice. 
• Hold: You will still be able to place your caller on a Hold, and they will hear On-Hold music as well as information about URAC. 
• Directories: You will continue to have access to the corporate directory on your phone, and you will also be able to look up a contact in Skype for Business and place a call to that person using your phone. 
• Speakerphone: You will still have speakerphone.  
• Conference Calls: You will have expanded conference calling abilities. 
• Dialing 9 for an outside line: You will no longer need to dial 9 for an outside line. 
• Phone Number: You will have the same phone number. There's no need to change those business cards. 
• Extension: There will be no need to use the URAC phone list to look up an "extension", as we will no longer have 4-digit extensions. To call a staff member, use any of the options listed in the next bullet point. 
• To reach a URAC staff member, you can: 
  • Select them in Skype and select call
  • Dial their full number
  • Find them in the directory on your phone 

  • Mark them as a favorite. If you mark them as a favorite, they will appear on your phone as a “Quick Dial”

What does the new phone look like?

What training will be available?

• Getting started: Telephone Quick Start Guide
• Pre-recorded Webinar: "Using the Skype4Business client for call handling, conferencing, and meetings," is available at Skype4Business client
• Additional training is available from CallTower, please see their training calendar: Training Calendar
• In-person training will be available. You will receive a calendar invitation.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss please feel free to contact me by email or by phone at 202-962-8828.