• Allen ISD Lync/Skype Calling using VOIP
    VOIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol or in more common terms phone service over the Internet.  If you have a reasonable quality Internet connection you can get phone service delivered through your Internet connection instead of from your local phone company.  Allen ISD has a strong internal network and began to use phone service over the Internet in Spring 2013. 

    If an organization allows it and your hardware supports it, you can use Microsoft Lync/Skype Online communications software to make and receive voice calls within your organization. You will need Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capability, a microphone, and speakers. You can also use any device recommended by your organization, such as a USB headset, for these calls.  In our case, AISD will be using IP phones for calling and several users are already using speakers and webcams equipped with mics for Lync/Skype calling.
     
    View a You Tube video experience of a Skype caller for the kind of calling that will be available for those with headsets or speakers and mics.  Others without that hardware will be able to use USB phones to leverage other features of Lync/Skype.
     
    And this video shows the power of simultaneous ring, which our teachers using Citrix desktops can set up in their classroom, and call forwarding, which our administrative users could use if traveling or away from the office.