Did you know that as a McMaster employee you have access to both McMaster Deskphones and Softphone ~ Avaya Workplace?

What is a Softphone?
The application brings all the functionality of a deskphone onto your computer, mobile or tablet devices, allowing employees to stay connected to the office no matter where they are working. Click here for more information.

Our solution and services will answer some of the questions that are commonly asked within the McMaster University community.

Benefits of the McMaster Telecommunications Deskphone and Softphone (Avaya Workplace)

1. Cost Savings: Both Avaya deskphones and softphones use internet-based communication, providing an improved way for long-distance calling while also removing the dependency of a traditional desk phone (when a desk phone can’t be installed).

2. Privacy: Using the Avaya phone protects the privacy of your mobile phone number by displaying the McMaster phone number on caller ID for all calls.

3. Flexibility: Avaya Workplace softphones allow users to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, promoting remote work and flexibility.

4. Ease of Use: You can call users (and vice-versa) by simply dialing their phone extension listed in the Faculty & Staff Directory.

5. Feature-rich: Both Avaya deskphones and softphones come with advanced features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, conferencing, call waiting, and more, improving communication efficiency.

6. Technical Support: Our telecommunication services are part of the University infrastructure that is supported by UTS-Telecommunications 24/7, ensuring continuous assistance and service availability.

7. HD Voice Quality: Provides higher audio quality compared to traditional analog phones, leading to clearer and more effective conversations.

8. Environmental Impact: The technology generally consumes less energy than traditional phone systems, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.

Click here to download the application.  If you need any assistance with your PHONE LOGIN credentials, please email us at telecom@mcmaster.ca

Are you coming back to work on campus and noticed your desk phone not working or logged out?  What should you do, who can you contact?

My desk phone says username and password?  What do I do?:  You need the extension (as the username) and a phone password (this is not your voicemail password) to log in to the set.

My desk phone has another extension logged in?  What do I do?:  You can log out the extension and then login with your own.  You need your extension (as the username) and a phone password (this is not your voicemail password) to log in to the set.

I have been using my McMaster Softphone ~ Avaya  Workplace, while working from home, and my phone is logged out on campus?:  You must enter the same credentials to log in as you did with the softphone.  The credentials are the same.

I don’t remember my password and/or extension.  Who do I contact?:  You can email:  telecom@mcmaster.ca or submit a form here!

My phone says: Acquiring Service.  What does that mean?:  There has been a few updates to the phones, and perhaps some power outages.  First thing to do is, if possible, unplug the set.  Check to see if it reboots and you can enter your credentials.  If not, contact us at:  telecom@mcmaster.ca

My phone says:  EMERGENCY CALLS ONLY.  What does this mean?:  This means that your phone is NOT logged in.  It can only dial out for security.  If you need to make other calls, your phone needs to be logged in.

EMERGENCY (DIALING ON CAMPUS ONLY):

• 88

911 or Security Services (DIALING ON CAMPUS ONLY):

• 9 + 911 – Hamilton Police Services
• 911 – McMaster Security

CRISIS HELPLINE:

• 9-8-8

Internal (Extension to Extension)

• Dial 5 digit extension

Internal HHSC Dialing  (University Calling a HHSC Extension & HHSC Calling University Extension):

• Dial the 5 digit HHSC extension

Local Calls

• Dial 9 + local area code + number

Wide Area Calling (formerly 86) ~ This is UNLIMITED CALLING. 

What is WAC?  It is unlimited Area Calling for North America, Canada & US (not including Alaska, Hawaii & Northwest Territories)  $7 per month.  This feature must be requested.

• Dial 9 + 1 + area code + number

Long Distance

• Dial 9 + 1 + area code + number, after tri-tone, enter your LD PIN, #

International Long Distance

• Dial 9 + 011 + country code + city code + number, after tri-tone, enter your LD PIN, #

When reporting a problem with your telephone, please be sure to include the following information:

A description of the problem
The extension number of the phone with the problem
The location of the phone (building and room number)
Complete contact information (name, extension and location)
To report an issue with a Telecommunications service, software or hardware:

Contact X24357 or submit a ticket and ensure that you put a description of the issue, the extension, the user name, location and contact information: https://macservicedesk.mcmaster.ca/plugins/servlet/desk/portal/742