ITS Issues Fuze Transition Update

06/22/2018

Information Technology Services (ITS) has been working on a rollout and training plan to move up the planned availability of Microsoft Skype for Business to University faculty, staff and students, and has updates for the campus community.

As part of the change last year to the Microsoft Office 365 platform, a project to move the University to Skype for Business as SLU’s web collaboration platform has been underway. Skype for Business is an easy-to-use interface that allows users to communicate through text chat, voice calls, video calls and online meetings. It can be used on campus or anywhere in the world where Internet access is available.

Fuze will be discontinued on Tuesday, July 31, when the vendor stops support of our version of their web conferencing application.

ITS has provided the following timeline for the switch:

• Prior to Tuesday, July 31, ITS recommends downloading any saved Fuze recordings. Recordings can be downloaded by logging into the applicable Fuze account, clicking the “Recordings” link in the left menu, and clicking the “Export” button next to the desired meeting. The server will take some time depending on meeting length to export the file into downloadable format. Once the recording is available, the “Export” button will change to “Download.” The desired recording can then be downloaded and saved accordingly. Recordings in Fuze will not be available after Tuesday, July 31, if not downloaded beforehand.
• On Monday, June 25, Skype for Business access will be available to all faculty, staff and students.
• On Monday, July 2, Skype for Business will be deployed on shared workstations.
• Between Tuesday, July 10, and Friday, July 13, Skype for Business training sessions will begin, with more sessions to be offered.
• On Tuesday, July 31, all current University Fuze accounts will expire per the application’s vendor.

How to get Skype for Business

For Windows users

• First, check to see if Skype for Business is already installed by using the “Search Programs and Files” box.
• Click “Start,” and then type, “Skype for Business.”
• To install Skype for Business, go to the Software Center on the PC and select “Office 365 Pro Plus – With Outlook.” Skype is included in this package. Install the “Office 365 Pro Plus –With Outlook (remove old)” option if older versions of Office are no longer need on the machine.
• Office 365 & Skype for Business will be installed in training rooms, classrooms, conference rooms and on shared workstations by Monday, July 2, and older versions of Office will be removed.

For Mac users:

• To install Skype for Business on a Mac, click here.

Skype for Business Training Sessions

The first training sessions for Skype for Business will be held at the Wool Center, third floor, Training Room 372, on the following dates and times: 

• Tuesday, July 10, 9 to 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, July 10, 1 to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 11, 9 to 10 a.m.
• Thursday, July 12, 1 to 2 p.m.
• Friday, July 13, 9 to 10 a.m.

Training will also be held throughout the summer and fall. To register for a training session, click here.

For help with Skype for Business installation, contact ITS by visiting the division’s Web page, calling 314-977-4000 or calling toll free at 1-314-977-4000. The Helpdesk is also available by email.

For additional Fuze support, contact the application’s Direct Support Team by email or by calling 1-800-844-4118. International callers should dial 1-415-692-4800.

For questions or more information, contact Kyle Collins, assistant vice president for technology transformation or call 314-977-1842.