As of Spring 2024: IT has transitioned most of our existing numbers and extensions to Zoom Phones with the exception of Corporation. Learn more about the transition in our Zoom Phone phases document.
The university uses Zoom for its video telephony and remote meetings. In addition, we now use the same application for telecommunications.
What is a Zoom Phone?
Zoom is a unified communication and collaboration platform. This means in addition to videoconference meetings and chat, it can also be the phone system for an entire business. At its heart, the technology allows us to use the existing Zoom application we've used for years to make video calls to also send and receive phone calls. It’s a “softphone,” or a phone that runs in software on your operating system.
In order to do this, the Zoom application also includes the ability to:
- receive a phone call made to your existing phone extension
- dial a standard number from your phone extension
- check voicemail for that extension.
Zoom allows you to do this while logged in with your CSUMB account on a computer that already has the Zoom application installed.
Do I need any special equipment?
At a minimum, you need the Zoom desktop application installed on your operating system (i.e. desktop, laptop, or smartphone) and a connection to the Internet. If you don't have the Zoom desktop application installed, you can download it directly from Zoom. If you run into issues with the installation, please submit an IT service ticket to install it- Zoom phone will not work in the web app.
There is hardware that works directly with Zoom when connected to your desktop or laptop.
And you use that hardware in the office but can still send/receive calls when you leave if you have a cell phone with the Zoom app installed or a laptop with Zoom Desktop installed.
Logging into Zoom Phone the first time
Once you've been granted access to Zoom phone you'll need to do some first time set-up steps. To do this you'll want to use the Zoom web portal found in your dashboard apps.
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
- Click Phone tab along top menu bar, then click the Settings tab.
- Here are a few essential settings you need to set up:
- Emergency Address: Displays the address provided to first responders when dialing an emergency number. Make sure this address is correct for your office or main work location.
- Business Hours: Set your business hours in Zoom and personalize how Zoom handles calls off hours.
Using Zoom Phone
Even without hardware, you could use your computer or phone’s microphone and speaker to send and receive calls.
Log in with your CSUMB account
The most important step about using Zoom phone is to make sure you are logging in with your CSUMB Single Sign-on account (SSO) when using the desktop client. To do this:
- Log into your CSUMB Dashboard in your web browser then launch the desktop app. You'll know you're logged in when you launch your desktop app it will automatically log you in.
Making and receiving calls
Simply click on the phone tab in Zoom application labeled “Phone,” and use the keypad to enter the phone number.
Inputting phone numbers is easy:
- On-Campus numbers: Dial the four digit extension as you always have. For instance to call the help desk you'd dial 4357 and hit the blue phone button.
- Within our area code: Dial the seven digit number. For instance to call Best Buy in Marina you'd dial 884-2556 and hit the blue phone button.
- Outside our area code: Dial the ten digit number. For instance to dial Apple Customer Service you'd dial 800-275-2273 and hit the blue phone button.
Note: If you are not logged into Zoom calls received will automatically go to voicemail.
Voicemail
The best part of Zoom phone voicemail is no more having to remember your voicemail password since Zoom is part of single sign-on.
Notifications & Setting Status
Notifications are found in two places- you can see them on the phone tab or under the notifications bell.
To set your status in Zoom Phone, click on your avatar in the right corner.
Selecting busy calls will still ring through:
Selecting Do not disturb, Away, or Out of Office will have calls go straight to voicemail:
Check it out in our video:
Convert a voice call to a video call
It's easy to convert a voice call from to a video call. Once the call connects or at any time during your conversation tab the meet icon on the telephone pad (you'll only see this after your call has connected).
See it in action in our video:
Help With Zoom Phone
Check out these Zoom articles for extra assistance:
On Friday, July 28, 2023, Paul Racz from Zoom provided an online training opportunity to 140 members of the campus community:
Additional Help
For additional assistance please submit an IT Telephone ticket.