Staff Technology Resources for Remote Working

In the event of staff needing to work remotely, it is important that business and administrative activities can continue. Become familiar with the TU technology tools that make remote working possible.

Prepare in advance

Have this recommended office equipment 

  • A computer (PC or Mac)TU desktop computers should not be removed from campus as they are configured to work within the university environment.
  • Peripherals (headphones and camera)
  • Secure, reliable high-speed internet. Research and optimize your home connectivity.
    • An Ethernet cable – directly connecting your computer to the Internet is more reliable and stable than Wi-Fi, which is important when participating in online courses, events, meetings and presentations.
    • A hotspot – if you don't have reliable, high-speed Internet access, check with your mobile provider to see if you can activate your phone’s hotspot feature. This allows connection of laptops to the Internet, and usually, hotspot data is counted differently than regular phone data use.

See specifics for recommended hardware.

Do these things before leaving campus

Follow these basic recommendations

Connecting, accessing­ and storing­­

These tasks are ordered from basic to more complex.

Task Use this service How to use it
Access TU email and calendar

Outlook for the web 

M365 Self-Help webpage
Access Microsoft 365 suite (TU email, Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, OneDrive) Microsoft 365

 

M365 Self-Help webpage
Work as if at your TU Desktop (including email and your drives). *You can remote in from a Mac or PC to your TU PC, but not into a TU Mac. If remoting into an office Mac, use Microsoft 365 to access your email and drives. Remote Desktop Self-Help articles

Reset or change an expired password before leaving your office

NetID Tools Self-help articles (login required to view)
Change your password remotely while working on a TU computer NetID Tools Self-help articles (login to TechHelp to access)
Store non-confidential files and share documents OneDrive (Microsoft 365) M365 Self-help webpage
Store confidential data Your existing Secureshare Available through Remote Desktop
Access online university items like network shares such as DeptShare, JumboShare, CustomShare, O: and H: drives, etc. 

Available through Remote Desktop or Virtual Workspace

Self-help articles (sign into TechHelp to access): Remote Desktop and Virtual Workspace  

Online meetings and collaboration

To determine which option best fits your needs, see an overview.

Task Use this Service How to use it
Schedule and attend meetings remotely using voice and video Webex Meetings or Zoom

Webex: You'll first need to activate your account. 

Zoom: Follow steps on webpage. Make sure to use your TU account (PDF).

Create online spaces for your team to quickly collaborate, chat, and meet Webex 
Webex at TU

Phones and voicemail

Task use this service how to use it
Check your desk phone voicemail See it in your Outlook inbox, call into your desk phone from off campus Self-help article
Forward desk phone calls

Set up call forwarding through the Phone Self-Care Portal. *This must be done before you leave the office. Self-help article
Call another Webex user with your computer or mobile device (use just audio or audio and video) Webex (formerly Webex Teams) Cisco Support

Security

  • Be aware of suspicious email (a phish) and internet scams. Report phishing by using the Report Phish button in Outlook when working from a desktop or laptop, or forward it to if on a mobile device.
  • Make sure your personal computers are protected with up-to-date antivirus software-especially if you're using it for TU business. Learn more.
  • Be sure you have the latest updates installed for your personal computer's operating system.
  • Use secure Wi-Fi. Don’t access TU resources on free Wi-Fi.
  • For resources and more info, including guidelines for hosting secure online meetings, visit TU's Office of Information Security website 

Support 

For help with technology-related issues like connectivity, service, or login issues, contact the OTS Faculty/Staff Help Center during business hours. You can also submit a TechHelp service request at any time.