The purpose of this article is to assist in choosing the best alternate location work phone solution if routine work functions are disrupted due to prolonged campus or building closures. Information Technology Services (ITS) provides a variety of work phone solutions to connect you with students and colleagues remotely so that work can continue uninterrupted.
Note: please refer to these instructions regularly as we change technologies and adapt to scenarios.
These solutions are offered on the premise that you have one or more phone line extensions on a desk phone in your U of I office/workspace.
Please read the solutions carefully as some require you have Internet at home or have a smart phone.
ITS makes the following recommendations, provided in order of preference. If none of these recommendations fits your situation, please contact your TSP or Local Support.
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Single Number Reach: It is recommended to use Single Number Reach (SNR) feature of our phones. SNR allows incoming calls to ring simultaneously on your university desk phone and smart phone. The con is when when calling out to non-UI phone number, your smart phone number will show as the caller ID instead of your university phone number. UI extension numbers dialed out will show your UI extension as the caller ID.
- You can place the Single Number Reach (SNR) function on a schedule to fit your needs. This allows you to automatically disable the function after work hours or on weekends by setting the time when you do want the SNR automatically enabled. Instructions are found at the link above in bullet 1a.
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Forward All: You can forward all your calls to a specific number. We recommend this for landline number. Use this feature if you do not want use your personal cell phone. Using this feature means you will use your landline to make calls so those receiving the call will see your personal phone number (outbound caller ID is your personal number).
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Soft Phone: Soft Phone is an application (Cisco Jabber) on your desktop (Windows and macOS) or smart phone (Android and iOS). It is like the physical phone on your desk (less features). The caller ID for all outbound calls is your university extension. Using a soft phone requires an Internet connection (wireless on a computer/smart phone or cellular service on a smart phone) and will consume data service.