University at Buffalo (UB)
Webex retiring at UB November 19, 2021
Published August 30, 2021
Webex Video Conferencing and Webex Teams are retiring November 19, 2021 after the introduction and widespread use of Zoom at UB. If you’re a fan of Webex, we can help you make the transition, and save your Webex recordings and data in the process.
Why is Webex going away?
Webex was introduced at UB in 2018, but was never widely adopted.
In the 2020-21 academic year, despite a pandemic that required remote work and learning, use of Webex was down; only 1,800 people used Webex to host a meeting. By contrast, 24,000 people used Zoom at UB to host over 800,000 meetings.
If you are one of the people who continue to use Webex, don’t fear! Keep reading for resources to make your transition to Zoom easier, including ways to get one-on-one help and answers to any questions you have about your transition.
Making the transition to Zoom
Find everything you need to know about UB Zoom at buffalo.edu/ubit/zoom.
Our Service Guides cover everything related to Zoom at UB, including:
- Downloading and installing the Zoom client on your device (if it isn’t already; contact your departmental IT support for help installing Zoom on UB-owned devices)
- Scheduling and joining meetings
- Recording your meetings
- Troubleshooting common problems with video and audio
In the UB Zoom Service Guide you’ll also find customized videos covering many aspects of Zoom, from getting started to keeping your meeting secure.
Is Zoom secure?
Zoom meetings at UB have robust security settings enabled by default, and Zoom is updated regularly with new security features and patches for bugs that might cause future security concerns.
Additionally, UBIT has compiled recommendations for hosting a more secure meeting with Zoom, including ways to handle disruptions and report disruptive incidents to prevent them from happening in the future.
Can Zoom host large meetings (events, trainings, webinars)?
One of the appeals of Webex was the ability to host up to 1,000 participants in a single meeting, training or event.
Standard Zoom meetings allow for up to 300 participants at a time. While data shows this is sufficient for most meetings at UB, some UB staff and faculty occasionally need to host more people.
To support this goal, UB offers temporary use of special Zoom licenses. These “webinar” licenses allow for up to 1,000 people in a single meeting. There are also 500-person licenses available for large classes.
Contact the UBIT Help Center to request a Zoom license loan for large meetings and webinars.
How can I save my UB Webex recordings before the platform goes away?
UBIT has a dedicated guide to saving Webex recordings on other UB platforms (we recommend either UBbox or Panopto, depending on your need). Follow these instructions to guarantee your Webex recordings are available once the platform is retired.
Who can I talk to if I need help with this transition?
Contact the UBIT Help Center, online at buffalo.edu/ubit/help or by phone at 716-645-3542. Dedicated experts in both Webex and Zoom can help you understand any differences in the platforms, and help you gain the confidence you need to start using Zoom at UB.
Once you’re using Zoom, you can request help directly with Zoom.
Are you an instructor using video conferencing software like Webex or Zoom to teach? Visit buffalo.edu/teachanywhere for more support and resources for flexible teaching.