IT Services to offer easier WiFi connection and user-friendly work tools beginning Sept. 4

It may not be Christmas yet, but IT Services is behaving like Santa.

Over the summer, projects designed to make wireless connection an easy one-step process, and a handy toolkit for communicating and collaborating with colleagues on and off campus, were both completed. IT will flip the switch on both upgrades Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Here's what users can expect:

Wireless Connection

Previous to the update, many mobile users turned off UAA's wireless connection because it required repeated sign-on; connection terminated whenever devices went to sleep.

Now, a new WiFi configuration allows users to set up their device once, and enjoy seamless wireless whenever they are on campus. In addition, all wireless traffic will now be encrypted.

The IT team is polishing up its Knowledge Base directions for the one-time set up of Windows, Android, iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. This post will be updated with links to those how-to articles and videos as soon as they are ready this week.

Messaging - Conferencing - Sharing - Voice
WolfLync is a powerful new set of communication and collaboration tools available to UAA faculty and staff. WolfLync integrates UAA's state-of-the-art Cisco Voice-over-IP infrastructure with Microsoft's Lync technology. Users may work with WolfLync on their computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones to:

• Participate in audio and video conferences
• Access Instant Messaging (IM) fully integrated with UAA's Exchange services
• Participate in collaboration using shared desktop and whiteboard
• Make/take phone calls to their UAA office extensions.

Instructions on how to download the Lync technology and set up your system will be completed this week. Video guides, training sessions and pilot user testimonials will be a part of the Knowledge Base information provided by IT Services. Links to those materials will be added to this post as soon as they are available.

So, expect your online life at UAA to get that much better, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 4.