Table of contents
The UMD phone system provides multiple options for maintaining access to your work phone while teleworking. In general, Call Forwarding and Single Number Reach options are the easiest to set up. If you don't need advanced features and don't mind your personal phone number appearing in Caller ID when returning calls while teleworking, these are often the best options.
If you are unsure or need advanced features please consult with your unit IT staff or telecommunications reps to discuss your needs. The options for maintaining access to your work phone while teleworking are:
Call Forwarding
Call Forwarding allows you to forward incoming calls from your desktop phone to a different destination, such as a mobile device or voicemail. Calls will not ring on your desktop phone. Voicemail will be left on your mobile phone voicemail or UMD voicemail.
Single Number Reach
Single Number Reach allows you to answer calls to your Cisco IP desktop phone or a remote destination, such as your mobile device. Calls will ring in both places. If you miss a call, a voicemail will be left on your UMD voicemail. Single number reach is recommended for departments with hunt groups.
Mobile Voice Access (MVA) is a feature linked to Single Number Reach that allows placing outbound calls from your personal phone via the campus phone system. Although this tool makes dialing calls a bit more complicated, it allows called party to see the caller's office number rather than their personal number.
Webex Softphones
Webex Softphones have nearly all the functionality of your desk phone but also include a robust set of instant messaging features.
When setting up softphones, you will need to contact your departmental telecommunications rep (usually your Business Manager).
Phone features comparison
The table below compares these options in detail.
| Feature | Call Forwarding | Single Number Reach | Webex Softphones on Computer | Webex Softphone on Mobile Device | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone and Voicemail | User can configure without DIT assistance | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can make outbound calls from work phone number | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Caller ID phone number shown on outgoing calls |
Personal Number | Personal Number | UMD Number | UMD Number | |
| Can be used with call centers | No | No | Yes | No | |
| Ability to determine missed calls made to work number | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Check and manage voicemails |
Call 301.405.5100 from any phone |
Call 301.405.5100 from any phone | Yes | Yes | |
| View call history | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Headset support | Possibly | Possibly | Yes | Yes | |
| Cisco VoIP conference calling | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Manage contacts | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Campus Directory | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Hold | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Make calls from different lines (multiline) | No | No | Yes | No | |
| Merge two phone calls | No | No | Yes | No | |
| Hunt groups | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Answer someone else's phone when part of a pickup group | No | No | Yes* | Yes* | |
| Transfer calls | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Supports E911 | Yes | Yes | Yes*** | Yes** | |
| Collaboration (with others running Webex software) | Instant messaging | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| File sharing | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Persistent group chat spaces | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Screen sharing | No | No | Yes | No | |
| Video calls with other Webex Softphone users | No | No | Yes | Yes |
NOTE:
- * DIT configuration required.
- ** When 911 is dialed from a smartphone's software app, the call is placed from the cell phone itself, not through the UMD phone system.