How IT Services has spent the summer

Published on 29 August 2024

As we move towards the new academic year, IT Services has continued to maintain and enhance your digital experience while working and studying at the University. From new software to help you manage your time to workshops to help you manage your processes, we’re working hard to make your digital experience the best that it can be.

If you’ve been away over the summer, you might have missed something that could help you with your day-to-day work, so we wanted to update you on everything we’ve been up to help you start the new academic year with your best digital foot forward.

What’s new from IT Services?

• Windows 11 is now available for your staff computer
  Windows 11 offers great new features and enhanced security and is now available for compatible University Managed Windows Service (MWS) computers. Windows 11 is an operating system (OS) which is the software which manages your computer hardware and software resources. Upgrading to the latest version of Windows provides more security for your and the University’s data, and gives you access to great new features.
  
  
• Bookings with me: A new way to manage your appointments
  Bookings with me allows you to make specific times available for others to book one-to-one meetings with you, without you needing to share your whole calendar.
  
  
• Important information about printing
  University printers have previously been managed by Equitrac software; however, IT Services is currently moving over to new software, Papercut. This move will be completed by close of business on 13 September 2024.
  
  
• Introduction to Process Mapping workshop
  If you have an interest in understanding how processes work and a passion for improving them, you may be interested in attending our hands-on workshop on 18 September or 4 December which will cover the fundamentals and benefits of visually mapping processes.
  
  
• Helping you keep your systems up to date
  You can help IT Services keep the University safe by ensuring the software you are using is up-to-date. To help you ensure that you are not using out of date software, IT Services is currently monitoring the use of some programmes and will be removing out of date versions from any devices they are installed on. Essential maintenance will be carried out on the My Liverpool Content Management System (CMS) from 5pm to 6pm on 3 September and Banner from 5pm to 6:30pm on 6 September during which times these systems will be unavailable.
  
  
• Rollout of Bitlocker encryption
  IT Services uses Bitlocker encryption on MWS computers to protect the data on your device against unauthorised access. If Bitlocker encryption isn't currently enabled on your device, IT Services will be rolling out a process to enable it.
  
  
• IBM SPSS Statistics and Amos
  The licence for the statistical software IBM SPSS Statistics and Amos 29 expired on 31 July 2024 and you will need to renew this if you use the software on a personal computer.
  
  
• 24/7 online chat support from the IT Service Desk
  The IT Service Desk is always available to help you resolve your technical issues and queries quickly and effectively. You can speak with someone over the phone 24/7 by calling +44 (0)151 794 4567 (External) or 4 4567 (Internal), and our online chat facility is now also available 24/7.
  
  
• New guidance on Virtual Machine (VM) use available now
  As you are aware, IT Services is always reviewing and updating the guidance available to you to make the most of the technology the University has to offer. The recently released Virtual Machine Hosting Standard and Virtual Machine Hosting Use Case Guidelines define the procedural and technical standards for VM hosting for all IT systems managed by IT Services, and describe standard use cases for VMs provided by IT Services.

What do I need to do?

• If you would like to upgrade to Windows 11, IT Services has put together some simple instructions to help you. It’s a simple process which will take up to 4 hours to complete, so you may find it beneficial to begin the installation at the end of the working day.
  
  
• If you would like to see how Bookings with me can help you manage your appointments with students and other contacts in a new way, there are some simple instructions and a video guide to help you.
  
  
• When your nearest printer has been moved to Papercut software, the printer panel will have a new look and feel, and you will need to select the new appropriate print queue.
  
  
• If you would like to attend our Process Mapping workshop, please book now.
  
  
• If any out-of-date programmes are removed from your device and you need to use them, you can easily install an up-to-date version using Install University Applications (IUA). Using IUA ensures you are using an up-to-date secure version of your software and keeps everyone at the University secure.
  
  
• If you are logged on when Bitlocker encryption is enabled on your device, you will need to reboot your computer. If you log on while the rollout is in progress, you will see notification messages about the rollout which is expected to happen, and you do not need to worry or report this to IT Services. If you are logged out when the rollout completes, you will not see any prompts or messages on your computer.
  
  
• If you use IBM SPSS Statistics and Amos on a Managed Windows Service (MWS) machine or via Apps Anywhere, this has been updated by IT Services and you do not need to take any action. If you currently use this software on a personal computer, you will need to renew the licence.
  
  
• If you have a technical query, you may find the answer on our knowledge base, which features a wealth of useful information and answers to commonly asked questions to help you when working with technology at the University of Liverpool. If you are unable to find the answer to your question in our knowledge base, there are lots of ways to contact the IT Service Desk. If you call or chat with the IT Service Desk after 5pm, or on weekends, bank holidays and University closed days, your call or chat will be directed to a staffed out-of-hours service.

IT Services is always happy to help you ensure you are using all of our technology to its full potential, so if you have any questions at all, please get in touch with the IT Service Desk. Sign up to YOUR I.T. Insight, a go-to resource for staying informed about the latest developments. Each edition features a curated selection of news, updates, tips, and trends to keep you ahead in the rapidly evolving world of tech.