What, exactly, is the Internet of Things? It’s a catchall term for the increasing connectivity between devices of all kinds. Find out more below.

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If you’d like to further explore the Internet of Things, check out thisbrief yet thorough introduction from consulting firm McKinsey.

Simmons Technology continues the behind the scenes work necessary to installing the College’s new telephone system.

Pilot Testing
The project is proceeding on time and the next major step is to begin a pilot test in early March. This testing period will involve a small scale rollout of new equipment to the Technology department. Team members will provide feedback and assist in troubleshooting any issues that arise. The knowledge gained from the pilot will ensure a smoother deployment across campus later this spring.

Voicemail to Email
A new and exciting feature of the new telephone system will be its voicemail-to-email capabilities. You’ll be able to listen to voicemail on your phone and have it sent via email as an audio file. This feature provides access to your voicemail from anywhere you check your email, whether on your computer, phone, or tablet.

For more information about the new telephone system, please visit ourproject website.

Before the semester break, Technology kicked off a project to install a new telephone system, which will include a full overhaul of the existing phone infrastructure at Simmons.

Department Outreach
A major component of the project is the replacement of office telephones. When the project is complete, all employees will have access to a set of features that mirrors our current phone service and provides some additional upgrades, such as enhanced emergency notifications, mobile phone twinning, and a voice-activated campus directory. During February, Technology will also coordinate with administrative assistants in each department to ensure that we’re capturing the needs of employees who require advanced telephone functionality.

Voice-Activated Directory
As the project progresses, we’ll also be highlighting some new features that will be available after the transition. We’re very excited about the forthcoming voice-activated directory search and we think you will be too. This search tool provides a simple way to find phone numbers of colleagues and departments. Just pick up your phone, dial the directory extension, and say the name of the person or department you’re looking for. The system will automatically route your call to the correct extension. It’s that easy!