Purdue phone replacement project starts rolling

A project to replace nearly 13,000 telephones on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus over the next year is now rolling, and faculty and staff can expect to be notified well before their new phones are to be installed.

Purdue’s 1990s phone system is being replaced with Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones that run on the University’s data network rather than a separate telephone network. Quick reference pamphlets come with the new phones to assist people in setting them up, including creating new PIN numbers and greetings.

The project website contains a schedule of the planned installation locations, an FAQ about the project and links to training videos. Information also is available in Purdue’s GoldAnswers knowledgebase.

For answers to questions about the VOIP phone replacements, email VOIP-Rollout@purdue.edu.

The new VoIP phones offer a variety of advantages for faculty and staff, including the ability to take calls on a mobile device and to forward voice mails via email. The switch also makes it easier to get phones moved when moving to a different office. No paperwork required. Just plug the phone into a network port at the new location.

Other features that may benefit faculty and staff include:

• Self-service web portals to set up phone and voice mail options.
• Audio, web and video conferencing services if desired.
• Enhancements that should allow faster recognition, troubleshooting and resolution of issues.
• Automated emergency location tracking, giving 911 operators precise locations.

The upgrade project, headed by ITaP and partner Presidio, replaces the University’s 20-year old-phone system, which is long overdue for an upgrade, and will leave Purdue with a single, more efficient data and telecommunications network. Phones are being replaced and necessary infrastructure work accomplished building by building on a rolling schedule with Dec. 31, 2018, the deadline for completion.

In an added benefit, Presidio plans on using more than a dozen Purdue student interns, hired through Purdue's Pathmaker program, on its installation crews.

When campus phones have needed replacing in recent years, ITaP has replaced them with VoIP phones. The all-campus project comes as part of a major upgrade to Purdue’s network to make it more robust, responsive and secure – now and in the future – and to enhance wireless access on campus.

Writer: Greg Kline, science and technology writer, Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP), 765-494-8167 (office), 765-426-8545 (mobile), gkline@purdue.edu

Last updated: February 7, 2018