Case Study: McMaster University achieves seamless, cost-effective migration and improved collaboration with Avaya Aura

McMaster University Improves Collaboration and Communication Between Students and Faculty

McMaster University, a top-100 research institution in Hamilton, Ontario, needed to modernize an aging, Nortel-based communications infrastructure that spanned 50+ buildings and served more than 10,000 licensed users. With two new off-campus facilities opening, a coordinated five-digit dialing plan shared with local hospitals, and an ongoing administrative systems change, the university required a low‑cost, low‑disruption migration that preserved extensions and day-to-day operations.

McMaster implemented a phased migration to the Avaya Aura platform—leveraging Avaya’s Software Investment Protection Program and compatibility with existing CS1000 systems—deploying Communications Manager, Session Manager, System Manager, soft clients and IP phones. The approach preserved extension numbers, enabled mobility and remote work, and allowed pilot testing; so far 1,100 users have been migrated. Results included multimillion-dollar savings, seamless cutovers with no downtime, improved collaboration and scalability, and reduced campus footprint and infrastructure costs.

McMaster University

Paula Brown-Hackett

Senior IT ManagerEnterprise Networks