Hybrid Working Proof of Concept: Project Update
IT Services is demonstrating new hardware that will provide a blended approach to assembling, meeting, sharing and collaborating at the University.
A proof of concept is being developed by IT Services which will demonstrate the enhanced way in which staff and students can meet on campus - and remotely - in a virtual and collaborative working environment. This new way of working will offer a blended approach to assembling, meeting, sharing and collaborating flexibly across organisational and geographical boundaries. The project will also look to utilise digital space and planning tools to improve capacity planning and predictive analytics, helping to provide the most appropriate space to suit individual and collective user needs.
The Hybrid Working Proof of Concept will be introduced to the Foundation Building from June 2023 commencing with the Linear wing followed by the 5th floor.
This new concept is provided by Cisco WebEx, a powerful video conferencing and collaboration tool developed for organisations. The tool allows colleagues and students across the University to stay connected whilst working remotely. With the application, we can create a secure virtual workspace, and manage day-to-day business operations efficiently. It comes with a range of file-sharing and messaging capabilities, as well as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) functionality, which supports high-definition audio and video. Additionally, the application offers digital whiteboard features, screen sharing functionality, and more.
How will this affect my work and meetings?
Practically speaking, with this new technology, when you’re in a room with others on a video call or meeting, the camera will pick up who’s talking and pan to that person. There will also be diminished feedback and echoing from voices in the same room, meaning no more “please mute yourself” requests and minutes wasted with “could you repeat that please?”.
Furthermore, this equipment will work seamlessly with other video conferencing tools such as Microsoft Teams.
Initially, the new Cisco WebEx system will be deployed to the 5th floor of the Foundation Building. Assuming that the proof of concept is successful, there is scope to roll it out more widely across the University to both conferencing suites and teaching spaces.
Training
A plethora of training activities will be provided to support the roll out of this equipment. Formal training sessions, how-to articles, quick reference guides and on-premise floorwalking will ensure that everyone is familiar with - and can successfully engage with - the new systems. A Cisco WebEx Help for Staff course will be available within Canvas shortly.
Further information
Members of the project stakeholder group will be attending Education Committees to provide project updates. Additionally, all queries can be directed to the project manager Carl Walsh.