Working remotely? Here is an update on the UB technology tools to help you succeed

Two women work on laptops on the front porch of their home.

Published January 19, 2022

Are you aware of the many technology resources UB provides to help you work flexibly?

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UB is participating in SUNY’s telecommuting pilot program, meaning more of us have an opportunity to work from home.

Depending on the work you do, working remotely can present logistical challenges worth considering. Wondering which UB technology tools are right for your remote work? Read on to see what’s available, and how you can take advantage.

Virtual meetings with Zoom

By now almost everyone has had the opportunity to get familiar with Zoom, which was introduced to UB in March 2020 and continues to be the standard for remote meetings.

Even if you’re well versed in Zoom by now, chances are there’s still more to explore. Did you know Zoom can now transcribe your meetings live? Or that Zoom is built into UB classrooms so guest lecturers and students can join an in-person class remotely?

The UB community has found so many interesting ways to use Zoom. Why not take a moment and consider how Zoom might serve your needs outside of basic meetings?

Answer your UB Phone anywhere with Jabber

For some of us, our UB Phone is integral to the work we do. Jabber extends and augments your work phone’s functionality by making it possible to send and receive calls using your UB phone number from any laptop running Windows or macOS, or from any iPhone or Android phone.

But with Jabber, you can do a lot more than answer your phone:

Contact your departmental IT support to install Jabber on your UB-owned device, if it isn’t already.

Microsoft 365 apps for working (and collaborating) anywhere

It’s no surprise that Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel are among the most commonly used apps for getting work done at UB.

Now these apps are available from any web browser, thanks to Microsoft 365. Log into the Microsoft 365 portal using your UBITName credentials, and you’ll have access to your email and every Microsoft app at UB, all in one place. If you use OneDrive to store your files, you’ll also have access to all your documents, no matter where you are.

Not only can you use Microsoft 365’s online apps to create and edit documents, but you can collaborate with others in real-time, making the transition to remote work even easier.

Avoid changing your UBITName password until back on campus

The best time to change your UBITName password is while on campus. This is because some computers won’t synchronize your login information until you’re on UB’s network.

This means that, if you change your password while working remotely, the login for your work computer may not update automatically with it (however, you’ll still be able to log in using the old password). Once back on campus, you’ll need to log out and then log back before your computer will accept your new password.

This only affects logging into your UB-owned computer with your UBITName and password. All other UB online services will recognize your new password immediately.

If you’ve been asked to update your password as part of UBIT’s password reset initiative, you will have 30 days to do so. If possible, wait until you are on campus; if you cannot return to campus within the 30-day window, contact your departmental IT support and inform them you will be changing your password while not on campus.

If you believe your account has been compromised, regardless whether you are on campus, you should change your UBITName password immediately. If working remotely, continue to use your old password to log into your computer until you return to campus. 

Staying secure while working remotely

Security is a consideration whenever you’re working with digital technology. This is especially true if you work with sensitive information, like Category-1 Restricted Data, or Category-2 Private Data.

Visit the UBIT website for more information about what is required to stay secure while working remotely. 

Get help with technology for remote work

The key to a smooth remote work assignment is to have your technology tools ready to go. Your departmental IT staff can help you install UB software on your UB-owned device. 

Once you’re working remotely, contact the UBIT Help Center with questions or problems relating to your UB software, or your UB laptop.