Transforming campus communications! Here’s how AudioCodes helped the University of Glasgow upgrade from outdated legacy systems to a seamless, cloud-powered solution with Microsoft Teams Phone and Cisco Webex Contact Center.
The Customer
Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is one of the world’s leading research institutions. Serving a diverse student and faculty population, the university is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities and has a global reputation for academic excellence.
The Challenge
The University of Glasgow faced significant challenges with legacy communications systems, including a Cisco IP PBX and ISLX PBX, along with a Cisco Unified Communications Manager/Unified Contact Center Express solution, that couldn’t meet the demands of a modern, growing institution.
These outdated on-premises setups were unable to integrate with Microsoft Teams and struggled to support communications across multiple sites, including historic buildings with analog infrastructure.
The university needed a reliable, cloud-ready solution with better resilience, simpler management and seamless Teams integration to support thousands of users and drive its digital transformation forward.
The Solution
To modernize its communications and support digital transformation, the University of Glasgow teamed up with AudioCodes and Nasstar to move to Microsoft Teams voice calling and Cisco Webex Contact Center. The phased migration ensured minimal disruption while maintaining legacy system continuity.
At the heart of the solution were AudioCodes’ Microsoft Teams-certified Mediant Virtual Edition (VE) session border controllers (SBCs), supporting Direct Routing voice connectivity in a high availability setup for resilience and seamless voice traffic management. MediaPack 1288 analog gateways kept legacy devices like fax machines and PBX systems connected within the new IP-based network.
Over 1,000 AudioCodes 405HD IP phones were deployed and linked to Teams via the Microsoft SIP Gateway, backed by local SBCs for failover support. Centralized management was delivered through AudioCodes’ One Voice Operations Center (OVOC), streamlining monitoring, provisioning and performance tracking across all devices.
The plan also included converting 800 analog phones to SIP and integrating SIP carrier services. With local survivability built in, the university ensured robust communication across its sites. Thanks to thorough testing and flexible design, the hybrid solution – combining Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex – delivered a scalable, resilient environment ready to grow with the university.
The Results
The University of Glasgow’s move to Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex Contact Center – powered by AudioCodes – transformed its communications into a unified, cloud-based platform, replacing its outdated legacy systems. AudioCodes Direct Routing SBCs delivered robust resilience, ensuring reliable calling even during periods of reduced network quality, while support for analog devices allowed the university to modernize while protecting its investments and maintaining key functionality.
With OVOC in place, managing the network became far simpler thanks to real-time monitoring and remote device control that reduced IT overhead. The shift to the cloud also cut hardware maintenance costs and boosted operational efficiency. Staff now enjoy flexible, remote access to the telephony system, and enhanced QoE monitoring ensures a smooth experience for all users.
This future-ready solution not only met immediate needs but also laid a strong foundation for continued digital transformation at the university.
“The migration to Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex Contact Center has been a game-changer for our university. We now have a resilient, future-proof communications system that integrates seamlessly with our existing infrastructure while dramatically improving reliability and manageability.”
Steven Jack, IT Specialist, University of Glasgow
