Digital Voice/Unified Communications (Skype for Business)
Quick Links: Getting Started I How-to Links I More Links I How-to Videos
Skype for Business provides unified communication that combines traditional voice calling with video, web conferencing, instant messaging, desktop sharing, real-time presence, and more. This powerful tool also integrates with My Pitt Email, Microsoft Office, and the global University directory.
The University is in the midst of a multi-year project to migrate phone service to this new digital platform that runs entirely on the data network. This will eventually allow the University to retire the dedicated (Avaya) telephone service and network, realizing significant cost savings while providing a modern, feature-rich next generation telephony service.
This upgrade provides a number of benefits, including:
- Establishing a standard set of communication and collaboration tools across the University that support the way we work today.
- Enabling faculty and staff to update phone features at any time through convenient self-service options.
- Allowing calls to reach faculty and staff anywhere, not just at an on-campus office.
Get Started in 3 Easy Steps
Ensure you have the latest version of Skype for Business installed on your computer:
- Download the Skype for Business application (requires login to the Software Download Service) and install it on your Windows PC or Mac.
- Sign-in to the Skype for Business application on your computer:
- Launch Skype for Business from your start menu or desktop icon.
- Sign-in with your primary user@pitt.edu email address and, if prompted, enter your University Computing Account password.
- Sign in to your handset:
Helpful How-to Links for Common Phone Tasks
Getting to know a new technology can be challenging, especially when the replaced technology is as simple to use as a desktop telephone. The following links will provide instructions on some of the most commonly-asked questions from new users of the digital voice system.
- Transferring a Call to Another Number
- Checking Your Voicemail
- Changing Your Voicemail Greeting
- Forwarding Your Calls using the Polycom Handset
- Merging Two Calls using the Polycom Handset
- Creating a Conference Call
- Adding Favorites to Your Phone Display
- Reviewing Your Call History
- Setting up Simultaneous Ring to Another Number (Such as a Mobile Phone)
- Disabling Reminders on Your Phone
Additional Digital Voice Help Links
More detailed Polycom phone and Skype for Business instructions and videos are below:
Getting Started with Your Digital Voice Polycom Phone
- Signing In
- Signing In to a Skype Phone Using a Windows PC
- Restarting Your Skype Phone
- Checking Your Voicemail
- Forwarding Your Calls to Another Extension or to Voicemail
- Recording or Changing Your Voicemail Greeting
- Using an Alternate Voicemail Greeting
- Adding Favorites to Your Skype Phone Display
- Increasing the Number of Favorites Your Phone Can Display
- Reviewing Your Call History
- Merging Two Calls
- Setting up Simultaneous Ring at Another Number
- Disable Reminders on Your Phone
Transferring Calls on the Polycom Phone
- Transferring a Call (Blind) to Another Number Without Picking Up
- Transferring a Call (Blind) to a Contacts Listing Without Picking Up
- Transferring a Call (Blind) to Another Number After Answering
- Transferring a Call (Blind) to a Skype Contact After Answering
- Transferring a Call (Consultative) to Another Number
- Transferring a Call (Consultative) to a Skype Contact
- Creating a Conference Call with Another Number
- Creating a Conference Call with a Skype Contact
- Changing the Default Transfer Type to Blind
Digital Voice (Skype for Business) Training Videos
- What Does Unified Communications Mean for Me?
- View the (Pre-Recorded) Skype for Business: Maximizing Your Experience Webinar
- Introduction to the Polycom VVX 501 Phone
- How to Set Up and Use Voice Mail
- How to Transfer a Call (Consultative) with the Skype Phone
- How to Transfer a Call (Blind) with the Skype Phone
- How to Initiate a Conference Call with the Skype Phone
- How to Merge Two Calls with the Skype Phone
- How to Transfer a Call to the Boss's Voice Mail
Getting Started Managing Calls with the Skype Application
- Signing In to the Skype Application
- Answering a Call
- Placing a Call to a Phone Number Using the Skype Virtual Keypad
- Placing a Call to a Listing in the Global Directory
- Checking Your Voicemail
- Transferring a Call (Blind) to Another Extension
- Transferring a Call (Consultative) to Another Extension
- Merging Two Calls (Creating a Conference Call)
- Forwarding Your Calls to Another Extension or to Voicemail
- Recording or Changing Your Voicemail Greeting
- Using an Alternate Voicemail Greeting
- Adding Favorites to Your Skype Application
- Reviewing Your Call History
- Setting up Simultaneous Ring at Another Number
Advanced Calling Features Using the Skype Application
- Telling if Someone is in their Office or on a Call
- Call Forwarding - Routing Incoming Calls to Another Number
- Call Forwarding – Searching for a Number/Account to Route Calls to
- Simultaneous Ring - Routing Incoming Calls to Ring Simultaneously at a Second Number
- Delayed Simultaneous Ring - Routing Incoming Calls to Ring Simultaneously at another Number after a Delay
Digital Voice Skype Application Training Videos
- What Does Unified Communications Mean for Me?
- Introduction to the Plantronics Headset
- Transferring a Call (Consultative) Using the Skype Application (Windows)
- Transferring a Call (Blind) Using the Skype Application (Macintosh)
- Start a Conference Call and Add a Participant Using the Skype Application (Windows) Client
- How to Merge Two Calls Using the Windows Skype Application
Boss-Admin Call Coverage Procedures
- Designating a Single Delegate or Multiple Delegates
- Call Forwarding – Routing Incoming Calls to a Delegate or Group of Delegates
- Simultaneous Ring - Routing Incoming Calls to Ring Simultaneously to a Delegate or a Group of Delegates
- Simultaneous Ring – Routing Incoming Calls to Delayed Simultaneous Ring to a Delegate or Group of Delegates
- Simultaneous Ring - Routing Incoming Call to Simultaneous Ring to a Delegate or Group of Delegates Only During Work Hours
- Group Answer - Setting Up One or More People to Cover a Lead-in Number Using a Resource Account
- Group Answer – Routing Incoming Calls to a Lead-in Number to One or More People Using a Call Queue
- Group Answer – Setting Up Advanced Lead-in Number Coverage Using an Auto Attendant