Using UniCom, how do I make a phone call?

At Indiana University, the Office Communicator client for Windows no longer works with the UniCom service. Windows users should download the new Lync client instead. See About the UniCom Lync deployment.

Note: For Mac users, UITS recommends Lync for Mac to connect to UniCom at Indiana University. Communicator for Mac, available with Office 2011, still works with UniCom, but has fewer features. Messenger for Mac is not supported.

Note: In order to place a call to anyone other than another UniCom user, you must be subscribed to UniCom Enterprise Voice (formerly called UniCom with Outlook Voice Mail). UniCom Basic users can only make PC-to-PC calls, i.e., calls using the Lync or Communicator client. See IU UniCom feature comparison.

To make a call to someone by name or username (all modes):

• If the person is already in your Lync or Communicator Contact list, in the main Lync or Communicator window, click the phone icon to the right of the name in your Contact list to call the person's default number.

  If you have UniCom Enterprise Voice, you may be able to call a different number. Mouse over the phone icon, click the arrow that appears on the right, and select from the drop-down list.

• To search for someone in the IU Global Address List (GAL) and your personal Outlook Contact list (if Outlook is running), type the name or IU username into the search box in the main Lync or Communicator window. A list of names will appear; to call the person, click the phone icon to the right of the name.

  If you have UniCom Enterprise Voice, you may be able to call a different number for that person. Mouse over the phone icon, click the arrow that appears on the right, and select from the drop-down list.

  Note: If you have UniCom Basic, you will only be able to place calls to other UniCom users, who will have colored circles next to their names. A clear circle indicates someone who is not a UniCom user.

1. Type the phone number into the search box in the main Lync or Communicator window, or dial it on your UniCom-optimized phone, as follows:
   
   
   • For an on-campus number, use the last 5 digits. (You can call any number at either IU Bloomington or IUPUI from either campus by dialing the last 5 digits.)
     
     
   • For an off-campus number (local or long distance), enter the 10-digit number, including the area code, but not including the preceding 1. Do not begin with 9, as you do on a traditional university phone to reach an outside line. The number will be reformatted as +1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
     
     
   • For an international number, type 011 plus the international number. The display will show a 256 before the 011.
   
   
2. If you're dialing on a phone, the phone will automatically initiate the call when you've finished dialing. If you're dialing on your computer:
   
   
   • In Lync, mouse over the search return, and click Call.
   • In Communicator, press Enter, or click the phone icon next to the phone number.
   
   
3. For long-distance numbers, you'll hear a stutter dial tone, prompting you to enter your authorization code. Enter your code on your computer keyboard or your phone, whichever you're using to initiate the call.
   
   In the Lync or Communicator conversation window, you can also copy and paste numbers into the Dial pad. Click the Dial pad button ( 
   
   or
   
   ) to display the Dial pad.

   Note: You can also use the Dial pad to enter numbers for a voice menu.

Note: If you have a USB phone plugged into your computer and set up as your primary calling device, and you initiate a call from within the Lync or Communicator client instead of dialing on the phone, your phone will ring to alert you to pick up the handset as it makes the call. For more about audio devices, including the ability to switch between audio devices during a call in Lync, see Microsoft's Lync 2010 Help for Audio Device settings.

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