The objective for this project is to evaluate and select a Next Generation Unified Communications (NextGen UC) solution for the future direction of voice services at Penn. The proposed enterprise voice solution(s) is expected to incorporate mobility and soft clients. We may also choose to include chat and video capabilities dependent upon vendor capabilities.
ISC currently offers three voice services: PennNet Phone, Contact Center, and Tradional Telephony (Centrex). During this project, we will identify a replacement for PennNet Phone service. We may also choose to replace Contact Center and/or Tradional Telephony service components dependent upon vendor capabilities.
The project team will evaluate of up to 3 vendor’s solutions to determine if they are functional and feasible for Penn. Afterward, we will partner with a small team comprised of representatives from Schools and Centers to complete a Proof of Concept exercise. During the Proof of Concept, the project team and Campus Partners will validate whether (or how well) the proposed solution is a good fit for Penn.
Our vendor selection and evaluation process will align to ISC Cloud First Principles. Our technical direction will align to the Technology Services Strategy Review Board Strategy for Unified Communications. We will engage with schools and centers to validate potential NextGen UC solutions in Spring 2019 to inform a final recommendation.
Benefits
- Cloud Architecture – The new service architecture will align to ISC Cloud First Program objectives.
- Softphone/Soft Client– The new service will have softphone capabilities. A softphone (soft client) is an application that enables voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone calls from your desktop computer or a mobile device over the IP network.
- Mobility – Schools and Centers may choose to leverage mobile capabilities available in the new service to adapt to current and future business needs allowing for flexible workspace, hoteling, or work remote options.
Project Sponsor: Mark Wehrle, IT Technical Director, ISC TS Communications & Collaboration Technologies
Project Owner: JoDe Beitler, IT Manager Sr, ISC TS Unified Communications
Project Manager: Stacey Torres, IT Sr Project Leader, ISC TS Communications & Collaboration Technologies
Project Team:
- Barb Addario, ISC CS Client Care
- Sheila Bayes, ISC CS Client Care
- John Crann, ISC TS Communications & Collaboration Technologies
- Bob Enck, ISC TS Unified Communications
- Beth Logan, ISC CS Client Care
- Dave Menchaca, ISC TS Unified Communications
- Uresha Modi, ISC CS Client Care
- Michele Narcavage, ISC TS Unified Communications
- Emmett Rogers, ISC TS Unified Communications
- Aaron Smith, IS TS Platforms and Network Engineering
- Danielle Southerland, ISC TS Enterprise Command Center
- Matt Sullivan, ISC CS Client Care
- Tomo Takebe, ISC TS Unified Communications
- Ed Urmston, IS TS IP Engineering
- Vic WIlliams, ISC CS Hire IT
Information Sessions
The following Information Sessions will provide you with more detailed information about the project teams efforts:
- Monday, December 3, 2018, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM. Sansom Place West, Bits & Pieces Room 306
- Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM. 3401 Walnut Street, ISC Conference Room 337A
- Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM. 3401 Walnut Street, Business Services Conference Room 440A
Project Meetings with Campus Partners
During these meetings, we will provide quick project updates followed by information gathering, technical demos and Q&A. We will solicit participation, generate ideas for testing, identify user stories and develop criteria for success to guide us through the Proof of Concept phase. We hope to gain the most value by having representation from each School or Center attend at least one meeting.
- Thursday, January 3, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM. 3401 Walnut Street, ISC Conference Room 337A
- Thursday, February 7, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM. 3401 Walnut Street, ISC Conference Room 337A
- Thursday, March 7, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM. 3401 Walnut Street, ISC Conference Room 337A
- Thursday, April 4, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM. 3401 Walnut Street, ISC Conference Room 337A