Information Technology has gathered the following information to help all employees have access to the technology tools they need while working from home.
In addition to the information below, faculty members will find information specific to facilitating remote teaching on the Keep Teaching and Working page.
Special Considerations for Working Remotely
Information Technology Requirements for Working Remotely
If you are a Ball State employee who is planning to work remotely, review the information technology requirements document. It provides information about approved computer equipment, taking Ball State equipment home, a list of essential skills for remote work, as well as information about how to get technology assistance.
Security Tips for Remote Workers
There are things we can all do to protect ourselves from cyber criminals. Everyone that is working remotely is encouraged to carefully review the Security Tips for Remote Workers to learn more.
Staying Connected
Ball State Webmail
Log into your Ball State email, from anywhere, by visiting www.bsu.edu/webmail.
Cisco Jabber to answer your Ball State Phone
Using Cisco Jabber on your laptop/macbook is a great way make and receive calls from your Ball State number, over the internet, when working away from campus. If you have a telephone and number assigned to you on campus, you can download and install Jabber at any time. You can also use Jabber as an instant messaging tool to communicate with your co-workers who may also be on or off campus.
If you’d like to use Jabber on your smartphone or tablet, request Cisco Jabber be setup for your device. Be sure to include your Ball State number (285-xxxx) and the type of device (tablet, iPhone or Android smartphone). Once the appropriate Jabber profile has been created for your mobile device, simply download Cisco Jabber from your device’s app store. The app is free, and any calls made to/from your device will utilize WiFi when connected or your mobile data plan.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a team chat and collaboration tool that allows many ways of communication, including group chats, private messages, video and audio conferencing as well as screen sharing. Learn how Microsoft Teams can help you communicate.
WebEx Video Conferening
All employees can use use WebEx to facilitate meeting. Up to 200 people can participate in a WebEx. Attendees can dial-in via a standard telephone for an audio only connection. Anyone with a PC, Mac, or Smartphone can join for a complete audio, video, and collaboration experience. Installing the WebEx productivity tools can streamline the process of scheduling WebEx meetings, as it allows you to create WebEx meetings from within Outlook.
Zoom Video Conferencing
In addition to WebEx, Ball State employees may choose to use Zoom for video conferencing. Access helpful information about using Zoom at www.bsu.edu/zoomhelp.
Printing from Remote Locations
Employees can print to campus PrintSmart printers while working remotely. To do this requires you to have VPN running and have the printer configured on the device you are printing from. You would then be able to release the print jobs by visiting the printer. For additional information or assistance setting-up your device to print, contact the Technology HelpDesk.
Access to Software and Applications
Adobe
Employees are eligible to request free access to download Adobe software. Once the request is approved, you may download Adobe applications on your work computer and may also install Adobe applications for work-at-home purposes on a personally-owned computer.
Antivirus
Running a good antivirus is an important thing to do to protect your computer from malware and viruses. When Information Technology (IT) sets-up Ball State-owned computers, a University-provided antivirus will be installed for you. Check-out information from IT regarding antivirus programs for your personally-owned computer.
Microsoft Office 365
Ball State employees can download and install Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel on your personally-owned computer, to facilitate working from home.
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a cloud storage solution from Microsoft. As part of your Ball State Office 365 account, all Ball State students, faculty and staff have free online storage on OneDrive. Utilizing OneDrive provides you with an easy way to store and access your Ball State work as well as share files with others. To find out more about OneDrive, visit www.bsu.edu/onedrivehelp.
SPSS
IBM is granting free access to SPSS for home use for the duration of our current agreement, anyone needing SPSS for work, research, or study can obtain SPSS for home use, free of charge.
Udemy
Udemy is an online teaching and learning platform that provides self-paced training courses that help you learn a new skill or expand your knowledge on a wide-range of topics . Ball State students and employees have free access to Udemy. Udemy courses also provide an effective way for supervisors to help employees expand their skill set.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Some Ball State computing resources will require you to utilize Ball State’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) to gain access when you are not on campus. Learn what systems require VPN for off-campus access. If you need to use VPN, you may review the Ball State VPN FAQ to view step-by-step instructions for installing and using VPN on your computer.
Other Software, Applications and Technology Services
As a University employee, you have access to a wide-range of software, applications, and technology services, which can assist you as you work remotely.
Help Resources
Contact the Technology HelpDesk
If you have any questions or technical issues, please contact the Technology HelpDesk by calling 765-285-1517 to speak with a HelpDesk representative or submit a support ticket to request help. Our staff can provide remote support in almost all cases.