Zoom Phone Information

The IT department at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is taking a significant step to modernize our communication infrastructure by transitioning from our existing phone system to the Zoom Phone platform. SBCC’s current Mitel telephone system is almost two decades old, which impacts its reliability and ability to provide important features that the campus needs to operate effectively and efficiently. Zoom Phone was chosen as a replacement for our current end-of-life phone system after careful consideration and analysis of various communication solutions on the market. Aside from being a reliable and flexible phone system, Zoom Phone is also accessible through the Zoom client with which everyone at SBCC is already familiar. This upgrade will enhance connectivity, accessibility, collaboration, and efficiency across all of our campuses.

The new date for your telephone service upgrade to Zoom Phone is on May 20, 2024. This is the date when the phone carrier will be porting existing numbers over to the new Zoom Phone system. Starting May 20, 2024, users will begin using SBCC’s unified, modern telephony platform, Zoom Phone, which will replace the existing telephony hardware. Users may experience intermittent call issues for a few minutes during the transition period; this is normal as the numbers are being ported from one carrier to another. Once the numbers have been ported to the new system, we will address issues that may arise throughout the semester break and expect the project will be fully completed on June 3, 2024.

The phone icon will not show up until after May 20, 2024 though for some it might show up a little before that too.

There is a document which shows you how to find Zoom Phone once the Zoom application is started. This is for the desktop software only.

There is an introductory video about Zoom Phone’s features as well as a web page which serves as a user manual.

Yes! Since Zoom Phone works on handheld devices, the audio stream can be paired with earphones for those who have hearing challenges.

Zoom Phone, like our current phones, use our network infrastructure to relay calls. This does mean that in the event of widespread power outages or internet failure our phones will not work. This has been the case for at least the last 17 years with our Mitel phone system and has not shown itself to be an issue.

Yes, all classrooms will remain outfitted with a phone handset in its existing location.

Existing desk phone handsets in individual offices will no longer work after the migration to Zoom Phone, and all existing voicemails will be automatically deleted. Zoom Phone will be available on your District provided computer. Headsets (headphones with a microphone) are available via a request to the IT Helpdesk.

Common areas will be evaluated for desk phone handsets on a case-by-case basis.

Our intention is for the majority of people to retain their existing number.

Headsets (headphones with a microphone) will be offered by each department on a case-by-case basis. Please submit a work order request to the IT helpdesk to request a compatible standard headset. (Note: Any headset that is currently being used for Zoom video conferencing will work for Zoom Phone—no changes are needed).

As part of this project, desk phone handsets are not automatically being replaced. Users are strongly encouraged to evaluate the Zoom Phone desktop and mobile applications for their phone needs. If a physical phone is required, please work with your dean (if faculty) or your department manager.

Your voicemail greeting, voicemail messages, and speed dials will not be transferred from your current phone to your new Zoom Phone account. During training, instructions on how to set up your new voicemail will be provided. Since voicemail messages will not transfer to your new Zoom Phone, please make sure to listen to all unread voicemails and manually document any information needed prior to the cutover date.

Those will be set up starting May 20, 2024 and will be fully ready by June 3, 2024.

1. Make sure you’re prepared to get the most out of Zoom Phone. Attend the upcoming training sessions from the FRC (register now). For those who are unable to attend the training, all information will be shared on this web page.
2. Watch this two-minute video for a brief introduction to Zoom Phone. 
3. Watch the additional training videos located on this web page.
4. Since voicemail messages will not transfer to your new Zoom Phone, please make sure to listen to all unread voicemails and manually document any information needed prior to the cutover date.