District VOIP Telephone System

The district has transitioned to a VOICE OVER IP, (VOIP) telephone system manufactured by Cisco Systems. VOIP technology integrates the district’s phones into our digital network environment and provides an extensive array of options and services.

What is VOIP?

Understanding the term is a first step toward learning the potential of this technology:

• VOIP refers to a way to carry phone calls over an IP data network, whether on the Internet or an organization's own internal network. In our case, our internal phone calls are carried over the district’s data/IP network.
• VOIP provides a the full suite of services provided by a telephone system, including the interconnection of phones for actual communications; related services such as billing and dialing plans; and basic features such as conferencing, transfer, forward, and hold.
• VOIP communications evolves the concept another step to include applications that enhance communications to enable applications such as unified messaging, integrated contact centers, and eventually media conferencing that combines voice, data, and video.

The districts phone system uses IP connections within and between the district’s buildings. Phone calls made out of the district are connected via Verizon’s Public Switched Network.

Unified Messaging

Unified Messaging integrates the district’s voice-mail and email. All staff with phone accounts and voicemail set up correctly will receive voicemails though Outlook or WEB Outlook. This allows users to login to any computer and get to their email and voicemail at one location.

Voice Mail Setup

To set up the voicemail for your first use:

Press the Messages button.
Enter the default password - 12345#
The recording will guide you to:
Record your name (say your name and press #)
Record a greeting (press # when you are done)
Set a new password (press # when you are done)

Making outside phone calls

Outside calls made from non-classroom or office phones can be made by dialing 9+1 then the area code and number. Even when calling local 201#s the area code should be included.

Making internal calls

Calls made to district extensions can be dialed using the four digit extensions in the building directories. Extensions can also be found through the corporate directory available through the phone system.

Instructions for use of the corporate directory are available through the phone tutorials available on the Technology Services Web page.

Instructions for use of classroom phones

Phones located in classrooms require that user’s login prior to being able to make or receive outside calls; follow the login instructions below.

First time users must login and then set up their voice mail.

How to Login

Press the MENU button. (It's on the right and looks like a globe with intersecting lines.)
Select "Services"
Select "Extension Mobility"
Enter your user name and pin.

For more information, call the Help Desk at 201-662-6560.

Voice Mail setup

To set up the voicemail for your first use:

Press the Messages button.
Enter the default password - 12345#
The recording will guide you to:
Record your name (say your name and press #)
Record a greeting (press # when you are done)
Set a new password (press # when you are done)

Once logged in, you will remain so for 6 hours or until you log out. If you log into another Cisco phone, you will automatically be logged out of the first phone. Only one person can be logged into a phone at one time so if some one logs in to a phone the previous user is automatically logged out.

Making outside phone calls

Outside calls made from non-classroom or office phones can be made by dialing 9+1 then the area code and number. Even when calling local 201#s the area code should be included.

Making internal calls

You do not need to be logged into a phone to make a call to a phone within the district.

Calls made to district extensions can be dialed using the four digit extensions. Extensions can also be found through the corporate directory available through the phone system.

Instructions for use of the corporate directory are available through the phone tutorials located on the Technology Services Web page.

Incoming calls to classroom phones

When calling classrooms the district main number has to be dialed: 201-662-6800. At the main greeting your extension can be dialed and your call will be routed to your phone. If you are not logged in the call will automatically go to voice mail.

Helpful Hint: If you want to login to your phone but don’t want to be disturbed by calls you can reduce the volume control to the point where you will not hear the phone ring.