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Photo: University Communications

Next Generation Unified Communications

The Next Generation Unified Communications initiative set out to evaluate, select and implement a solution that would unify all or some of the Voice offerings that ISC manages for Penn today. Following an RFP and proof of concept process, ISC chose Vonage as its cloud communications provider with an initial contract of five years and the anticipated 30-month rollout will commence in early 2020.​  Vonage’s cloud-based unified communications solution will continue to provide you with the same quality of service you’ve come to expect from PennNet Phone, plus optional enhanced features and functionality including a mobile and desktop app with messaging and audio/video conferencing. 

Penn has re-branded the new service as PennFlex Phone.  For resources to aid you in the migration, please visit our service and migration resources page.

Benefits

  • Cloud Architecture – Choosing a cloud-native provider allows Penn to support more rapid adoption of modern features and integrations. 
  • 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.
  • Modern features – Schools and Centers may choose to leverage new capabilities such as voicemail transcription, intercom, group paging, and hoteling.
Selection Process

 

 

Proof of Concept with Campus Partners Summary

41 volunteers participated in the Proof of Concept (PoC) representing APPC, Business Services, Dental, DRIA, College Houses and Academic Services, Nursing, Penn Purchasing, Provost, SAS, SEAS, Undergrad Admissions, VPUL and Wharton.  In coordination with the Van Pelt Library IT Staff, we established a mock office space to showcase more advanced features and functionality.

These were the goals:

  • Validate that the proposed vendor(s) service features and functions match or outperform existing PennNet Phone capabilities.  Record test results.
  • Validate User Stories.  Record and analyze criteria for success in Schools and Centers. 
  • Discovery. Engage with vendor(s) to discuss migration process and training options

For those of you that volunteered, we thank you! 

Project Team



Project Timeline

NOTE:  Due to COVID-19, several milestones are at risk.  However, the overall timeline is not at risk.