Victoria University approached Telesmart seeking a solution to replace their legacy phones with a cloud-based solution that integrated with their existing Microsoft 365 platform. The goal was to move 3,500 users from legacy desk phones to an integrated modern workplace at a pace that would work with the universities ongoing business priorities.

Telesmart carried out a rapid assessment process which resulted in the recommendation of Telesmart Cloud Calling for Microsoft Teams as an alternative to Skype for Business. Telesmart Cloud Calling for Microsoft Teams is a true cloud platform, delivering external calling to and from Microsoft Teams across Australia and New Zealand. It's benefits include ease of deployment, better call quality and improved user experience.

Victoria University understood Telesmart's Cloud Calling for Microsoft Teams was the logical solution that could be delivered for reduced cost and timeframes compared to deploying Skype for Business.

The project began as a proof of concept in late 2018, with Telesmart Cloud Calling for Microsoft Teams being rolled out initially to the ICT team of around 20 users and was completed by February 2019. To enable Victoria University to complete the rollout of the remaining users themselves at a pace that suited their requirements, Telesmart connected their legacy phone system to the Telesmart Cloud Calling for Microsoft Teams platform. The University initially aimed to have all 3,500 users migrated to the platform within three years. In response to Covid-19 this was accelerated in April 2020, with more than 50% of their users migrated in a single month.

“The collaboration with Telesmart has enabled us to extract more value from our Microsoft Licensing agreement. We've created a platform that gives the university the ability to adopt a modern workplace at a pace that is sustainable and meets our technology and organisational goals,” says Stuart Haselden, Chief Information Officer at Victoria University.

For Telesmart, the success of this project proves Telesmart Cloud Calling for Microsoft Teams is a viable and accessible technology for organisations of any size. It can be implemented smoothly, in stages without impacting day to day operations, with benefits being realised from day one. It also demonstrates that organisations can easily and quickly improve their Microsoft environment without excessive cost.