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Contact UsSkype to Teams Migration
Learn about the upcoming telephony transition from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams.
Overview
The Skype to Teams Migration Initiative is a year-long project to update and modernize the University’s communications systems by migrating the underlying software of the University’s telephone system from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams. Currently, MSU Denver phone numbers – whether assigned to individual employees or department lines – run on Skype for Business, either using the app or through a Polycom phone. Once this project is complete, all phone call functionality across the institution will instead run through the Microsoft Teams app. This project will also incorporate mandatory E911 call settings for emergency response.
The changes in this project are impactful to the whole University, and ITS is committed to making a smooth transition for all faculty, staff, and students.
Latest News
Last update: July 2025
Current Phase: Phased Migration
The project team has finished branch- and department-level planning meetings, as well as completed preliminary technical development necessary for the migration. They have also finished testing the migration process with pilot groups – Information Technology Services, Human Resources, Bursar’s Office, and School of Education.
Rather than shift the entire University over in a single pass, the project team will migrate different groups in a phased approach. For each phase, the project team will work closely with departmental representatives to establish clear expectations as their migration windows approach, and will conduct thorough testing afterward to make sure everything functions as expected. Direct heads-up emails to representatives will be sent at least two weeks in advance of each department’s migration date.
Knowledge Resources are Live!
The project team has developed several articles on how to use Teams for telephony in the ITS Knowledgebase. More articles will be developed as the project progresses, especially as the pilot groups provide feedback.
More to Come!
More information about the how the University’s telephony experience will change, including detailed information on how to use the new communications tools in day-to-day work, will be provided as the project progresses. Impacted departments will also be given advance notice before any changes go live. Please stay tuned for additional updates and more detailed information about the timeline and specific actions.
Timeline
Migration Timeline:
To minimize risk and facilitate the work being done, migrations will be performed in phases organized by building and/or location. Each phase will cover all departments within those locations. Please note current scheduling is only approximate, but exact dates will be shared as implementation plans are finalized.
| Phase | Buildings | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Administration 800 Kalamath Quigg Newton Center |
July 8th |
| Phase 2 | Aerospace and Engineering Sciences (AES) Hospitality Learning Center (HLC) Regency Athletic Complex (RAC) |
July 15th |
| Phase 3 | 7th Street 9th Street Park Arts Building King Center Medical Center of Aurora North Campus 965 Santa Fe Drive |
July 22nd |
| Phase 4 | PE Event Center Plaza Building Science Building Bear Creek (BRC) Rectory Office |
July 29th |
| Phase 5 | West Classroom Tivoli Student Union |
September |
| Phase 6 | Central Classroom | September |
| Phase 7 | Jordan Student Success Building – Group A | September |
| Phase 8 | Jordan Student Success Building – Group B | September |
F.A.Q.
Migrating from Skype to Teams will help reduce maintenance and replacement costs, as well as improve the University’s overall agility as communications systems continue to evolve. It will also improve and simplify support by creating a consistent user experience, as well as promote collaboration across campus by integrating technologies.
Using Teams for phone calls will be similar to using Skype for Business. You will use the Calls tab in Teams to access your call history or dial out with a virtual keypad (your Teams tabs may be in a different order than illustrated). On-screen prompts will allow you to answer when someone is calling you.
The project team has developed several articles on how to use Teams for telephony in the ITS Knowledgebase. More articles will be developed as the project progresses.
A rough outline of the migration schedule by building is provided above in the Timeline section. Exact dates are still pending as the project team meets with departments, but will be provided as implementation plans are finalized.
No! University phone numbers will not change as part of this migration.
Individual users: You don’t need to take any action, but be aware this is coming! Keep an eye out for updates in the Early Bird and from your department when the change is scheduled.
Department representatives: If you haven’t already, please contact ITS to ensure your department is included in the planning phase. To ensure a smooth transition, ITS needs information from all departments, including general departmental phone usage, headset availability, and any scheduling conflicts.
Part of the migration process will include removing desk phones across campus. The University has identified that maintaining, updating, and upgrading physical desk phones across campus is a non-trivial business expense — which is made redundant with a fully-digital telephony solution like Microsoft Teams.
The project team recognizes this may be a major change to some. Rest assured, all desk phone functionality will still be available through Microsoft Teams. Knowledge resources on how to use Teams for telephony will be developed and distributed as the project progresses.
Physical phones will not be removed from shared-use spaces where a computer-based phone app may not meet the telephony needs of the environment. This includes conference rooms, classrooms, lab spaces, and emergency call boxes. Please share any specific areas of concern with your department representative(s) so those spaces can be accounted for during planning.