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Barracuda
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
BCT
BroadConnect, the telecommunications company chosen by U of T for VoIP phone services
BroadConnect
The telecommunications company chosen by U of T for VoIP phone services (BCT)
Bell Centrex
The existing analog (non-VoIP) phone system currently in use throughout U of T departments
Call Centre
A system for handling a large volume of calls. BroadConnect offers call centre solutions with a variety of configurable options
CallXprress
The voicemail service associated with Bell Centrex service
Centrex
See Bell Centrex
Communicator 7
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)
DID
Direct Inward Dialling: for the user, simply put, this is just a phone number associated with a line
Discovery Sheet
Google Chrome Dialler
Extension for the Google Chrome browser that allows you to dial calls from the Chrome browser on your computer
IP
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
ITS
Information Technology Services, U of T’s central IT department that facilitates the delivery of IT services across the University’s divisions
My Room
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
Migration
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
PacketSmart
Tool to assess your network by simulating voice traffic on the network and to report on the network’s readiness for VoIP implementation
POE
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
Polycom
Phone brand that is being supplied for VoIP use. See here for the models available.
Porting
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
S4B
Skype For Business, a screen sharing and meeting application that integrates with MS Office
soft client
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.
soft phone
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
Unified Communications
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
Visual Voicemail
Displays your voicemails in a list on a screen
VoIP
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