How to reset your PIN in the new voicemail system

Exchange Unified Messaging Tips & Tricks
When enabled for our new voicemail system (Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging, or UM), you received a notification email with a temporary PIN. This PIN allows you to access to the voicemail system. If you are a new user, you will need to change it when you first log in to the system.

What happens if you lose your PIN, or misplace the notification email?

There are two options for PIN recovery. 

Please note that the following options are not available for departmental accounts. Please contact the OIT Help Desk to reset a departmental account PIN.

In Microsoft Outlook:

  1. Outlook's Manage VoicemailClick File -> Manage Voice Mail and logon to the web interface.
  2. Click Reset PIN -> “Reset My Voice Mail PIN”, then click “OK”

You will receive an email with a new temporary PIN.

In Webmail:

You can get to the same screen above by logging on to webmail.smu.edu/owa.

  1. Click the gear icon, then click Options.
  2. Click General, then click Reset PIN.
  3. Click “Reset My Voice Mail PIN”, then click “OK”

You will receive an email with a new temporary PIN.

When you receive your temporary 4-digit PIN, call 214-768-8673 and enter your 5-digit telephone extension. You will be prompted to create a new PIN.

Updated 07/10/2017: Include updated instructions for the new system.

How do I change my greeting in the voice mail system?

Exchange Unified Messaging Tips & Tricks
Campus voice mail is provided by Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging (UM). A common question is, “How do I record a custom voice mail greeting?” UM offers a few options, including allowing separate greetings for when you are away from the office.

Please note: The online option (Outlook/Webmail) is not available for departmental (shared) accounts. These accounts must always be updated by phone. If you cannot recall your PIN, please contact the OIT Help Desk and a temporary PIN will be generated for you.

To change your greeting:

In Microsoft Outlook:

  1. Click File -> Manage Voice Mail, and logon to the web interface.
  2. Click Greetings
  3. Click “Call me to play or record the selected greeting…”
  4. Enter your phone number and click “Call.”
  5. You will receive a call which will allow you to record your greeting.

There are multiple other configuration options available from this screen as well.

In Webmail:

You can get to the same screen above by logging on to webmail.smu.edu/owa.

  1. Click the gear icon -> options.
  2. Click Greetings.
  3. Click “Call me to play or record the selected greeting…”
  4. Enter your phone number and click “Call.”
  5. You will receive a call which will allow you to record your greeting.

Via Phone:

You can also change your greeting by phone.

  1. Call 214-768-8673.
  2. Enter your 5-digit extension and your PIN, and then say “personal options” at the voice prompt.
  3. Press 2 and you can record your new greeting.

The prompts will walk you through these steps when you dial the number.

Updated 07/10/2017: Include updated instructions for the new system.

Issues with Outlook for Mac and El Capitan

Looks like another major application is having problems with Apple’s latest OS release, El Capitan. This time, the popular email client Microsoft Outlook for Mac is having difficulty with the OS. The problem identifies itself when the application tries to connect to the server to sync email and the application locks up. If you use Microsoft Outlook, you are highly encouraged not to update to the last Mac OS at this time.

In an emailed statement to Computerworld, a Microsoft spokeswoman said the company is looking into the problem.

“We know that some users may be experiencing issues with Office 2016 for Mac running on El Capitan,” the statement read. “We are actively investigating the matter with Apple. Until there is a fix, we recommend people install the latest updates to Office 2016 for Mac using Microsoft AutoUpdate.”

The Project Manager for Outlook, Faisal Jeelani, recently commented on a post on the company’s support forum.

We are aware of the issue with Outlook 2011 on El Capitan and of Office 2016 on El Capitan.

We are working on a fix for 2011 and for 2016 we are working closely with Apple to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Unfortunately we do not have any timelines for either fix, please stay tuned and thank you for your understanding.

While Microsoft is acknowledging that users of its Office for Mac 2016 application suite are encountering frequent crashes and that their team is working on a fix, there is no timeline for an update. Until then, Microsoft suggests that users can work around this issue by running Outlook for Mac 2011 on Mac OS X Yosemite (version 10.10) or an earlier version.

Resist the Urge to Answer the Email Now

Email-client-applicationIt’s so easy to quickly reply to email as soon as you receive it. Consider scheduling times to process email throughout the day. Otherwise, you may end up buried in your inbox! If you are working on a critical project, consider using an Outlook Alert to let others know you won’t be processing email until a specific time. Here are tips to consider when processing email.

  • Delete It
  • Delegate It – Can this be assigned as a task or forwarded?
  • Do It – Will it only take a few minutes to process? Do it now.
  • Delay It – Calendar the item or put on your task list, so you will remember it later.

Interested in learning more about Outlook?

Outlook Productivity Webinar

Wednesday, Feb 4 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Register

Do you ever feel like you are drowning in email and need some strategies to reduce inbox clutter? The Outlook Productivity session will help you beef up your inbox and calendar skills at the start of the new year! In this session, we will cover a number of time saving tips in Outlook 2013 to manage your electronic communications more effectively.

Learn how to:

  • Create quick steps to process mail in a timely manner
  • Minimize distractions by creating rules and alerts
  • Utilize task features including: categories, custom fields, view settings and more…

Tips for Using Student Email at SMU

CSC-SC2-Tip_2_02Navigate your email with ease

With Office 365, your email is even smarter. Find important messages, communicate confidently, and collaborate with others in real time.

CSC-SC2-Tip_2_05Quickly view your important messages

Take control of your inbox. People View lets you read important messages first—from those you communicate with most often. Expand or collapse this view depending on your needs.

Learn more

CSC-SC2-Tip_2_09Avoid common mistakes

Have you ever selected Reply All to a large group? MailTips warns you about common mistakes before you send an email. Turn MailTips on or off or customize which tips appear.

Learn more

CSC-SC2-Tip_2_13Always share the latest file

Your email is now fully integrated with OneDrive for Business, allowing you to easily share your work with others while always maintaining just one version.

Learn more

CSC-SC2-Tip_2_17Search your email

Find exactly what you’re looking while on the go for by searching your email directly from Outlook Web App. You can search by sender and date and filter to get what you want quickly.

Learn more