Microsoft Teams Migration Project

Migrating èßäÊÓƵapp's Unified Communications services from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams to modernize èßäÊÓƵapp's voice infrastructure.

èßäÊÓƵapp is migrating Unified Communications services, including voice, video conferencing, and additional collaboration modalities from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams. This migration will allow us to leverage existing investment in Microsoft 365 cloud applications to modernize èßäÊÓƵapp's voice infrastructure.



Timeline

High-Level​ Overview of the Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams Migration

Skype to Teams Migration High-Level Timeline
* Please note that the schedule is subject to change.

Figure:

Why the Switch to Microsoft Teams?

TeamsMicrosoft has ended mainstream support for our version of Skype for Business (SfB), which is now in extended support until October 14, 2025. The replacement for SfB is Microsoft Teams, which has been growing in use since its launch in 2017, and we will be migrating our SfB instance to Teams starting in 2024. Microsoft Teams users will find they can send cross-platform messages, make video calls and meetings, manage projects, and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations all from within the Teams interface.

This project aligns with the following èßäÊÓƵapp strategic goals:

  • Improve and modernize aging èßäÊÓƵapp infrastructure
  • Enhance the academic stature of the University by providing improved resources to faculty, staff, and students

Project Timeline

The timeline for completion of the Teams Migration Project is approximately 11 months from the start of analysis phase. Our plan for implementation includes a phased approach with completion before Q3 of 2024. The èßäÊÓƵapp's main èßäÊÓƵapp and èßäÊÓƵapp-in-Taos are in scope of this project.

Update: We are scheduled to begin the actual migration to Teams in June 2024.  The current schedule by building is .

Communication Efforts

A number of communication efforts for this project are planned during the project timeline including surveys, blog posts, and executive summaries and presentations. As the actual implementation progresses, our communication efforts will focused on direct email to impacted users and on this website, as well as our blog (blog.smu.edu/itconnect) and newsletters.  As we get closer to launch, communications to employees within each area will be provided in addition to training and workshop opportunities. Regular updates to Governance and Executive Leaders will also be facilitated.

Update: As we begin the migration, individuals will receive multiple communications prior to the migration of their account. 

  • An email will be sent three weeks and then one week prior. 
  • The week before the migration, our team will deliver the new handsets and headsets. 
  • An email will be sent the day prior to your migration. 
  • Migrations will then occur outside of business hours (5:30am-8:00am). 
  • A final message will be sent to confirm completion of the migration for each user.
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Video

Welcome To Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is the hub for teamwork in Office 365 that brings together the tools that teams need for complete collaboration and communication. Watch the 2-minute intro video to find out more.

Microsoft Teams Migration Project Updates