Glossary of VoIP Terminology

The proof-of-concept VoIP system that was implemented in some departments at U of T. Where it was in place, Barracuda has now been replaced with BroadConnect

BroadConnect, the telecommunications company chosen by U of T for VoIP phone services

The telecommunications company chosen by U of T for VoIP phone services (BCT)

The existing analog (non-VoIP) phone system currently in use throughout U of T departments

A system for handling a large volume of calls. BroadConnect offers call centre solutions with a variety of configurable options

The voicemail service associated with Bell Centrex service

See Bell Centrex

The application that facilitates using your U of T BroadConnect VoIP number on your mobile phone and PC, and provides for enhanced collaboration tools, such as audio and videoconferencing, and screen sharing (with the Premium license)

Direct Inward Dialling: for the user, simply put, this is just a phone number associated with a line

Document populated by the Telecommunications department and the department wishing to migrate to BroadConnect VoIP to indicate their telephony requirements, including number of lines and phones. This document informs which existing Bell lines need to be migrated to VoIP, and which license type and hardware should be ordered

Extension for the Google Chrome browser that allows you to dial calls from the Chrome browser on your computer

The IP part of VoIP stands for Internet Protocol; the Internet Protocol address (or IP address) is a unique address that devices, such as personal computers, tablets, and smartphones, use to identify themselves and communicate with other devices in the IP network

Information Technology Services, U of T’s central IT department that facilitates the delivery of IT services across the University’s divisions

A feature offering by BroadConnect with their Communicator 7 application, this is their virtual meeting space delivering HD audio and video conferencing, chat, and screen sharing

In the context of telecommunications, it refers to the transfer of one phone or communications device or system to another with as little disruption to the service as possible

Tool to assess your network by simulating voice traffic on the network and to report on the network’s readiness for VoIP implementation

Power Over Ethernet: some network switches provide power as well as internet connectivity, allowing devices to be powered via the Ethernet. In the VoIP context, this means that phones that are connected to switches that carry POE will not require separate power adaptors

Phone brand that is being supplied for VoIP use. See here for the models available.

The act of transferring an existing phone number to a new phone system. In the context of migrating to VoIP, your U of T number, with service currently provided by Bell, will be ported to the new provider, BroadConnect

Skype For Business, a screen sharing and meeting application that integrates with MS Office

An application that allows you to use VoIP’s communications tools, such as chat, conferencing, and making and taking phone calls on your PC or Mac, without requiring a physical phone. The soft client for BroadConnect VoIP is Communicator 7. Sometimes soft client and soft phone are used interchangeably.

An application on your PC or Mac that allows you to make and take phones calls. Sometimes soft client and soft phone are used interchangeably.

An application that allows you to make and take phone calls on your PC, without requiring a physical phone. The soft client for BroadConnect VoIP is Communicator 7

Refers to the integration of tools that are used for communications, such as instant messaging, telephone, email, teleconference, and videoconference. VoIP systems allow for easy implementation of unified communications

Displays your voicemails in a list on a screen

Voice-over-IP: a relatively new communications system that allows phone calls to be made over the internet, rather than via traditional, analog phone lines