Appspace upgrade is nearly complete.

AppspaceThis month, OIT upgraded the Appspace (formerly Nexus) software that runs the various digital displays on campus. The vendor has installed our digital signage solution on a more robust server with the latest version of Appspace. The vendor also provided training to current users of the software.

In that training, we discovered some issues with the permissions. Some users were not able to create new signage applications but were allowed to edit already created ones. We are working with the vendor to resolving this issue and hope to have a resolution soon.

One feature our team was able to implement was an improved login. In the past, you would have to use a unique password, and not your SMU one, to log on to the system. On the new system, you will log in using your SMU ID and password for edit content on the digital signage.

The new system will also have a new URL – appspace.smu.edu. Our next task will be to join all of the existing players to the new server, which is done by launching the Appspace player application on each player PC. We will be contacting the signage owner to arrange a time for the switch. Once we make the configuration switch on each player, we will ask the owner to verify with the signage is functioning and the editors can log on to the system and edit content.

SharePoint Online Update

SharePoint OnlineThe upgrade from Inside.SMU to SharePoint Online continues. OIT recently transitioned their site to the cloud effortlessly. Site migration will happen at departmental levels with the Central University Library team sites and SMU Library sites over the weekend of June 24th. After the library site migration, other departments will be scheduled with tentative dates in June and early July. A representative from OIT will contact site owners prior to the migration. You can watch a preview of the new SharePoint Online after the break. Continue reading SharePoint Online Update

New In-Depth Canvas Sessions Announced

Canvas LMS LogoNeed some more assistance with the finer points of SMU’s new Canvas LMS? OIT has scheduled additional training sessions over the summer that cover advanced topics ranging from grade books to modules. Just like the basics sessions OIT has given through the spring semester, these summer sessions are walk-in only, so stop by on any of the dates!

Below is a list of the upcoming sessions, their locations, and their dates and times. For any questions regarding these sessions, please contact your academic technology liaison in your department.

Schedule of Courses

June 3, 1PM Intro to Canvas (Condensed) Crow 186
June 3, 2PM Assignments & Grade Book Crow 186
June 6, 10AM Quizzes Hughes-Trigg
June 6, 11AM Mastering Modules Hughes-Trigg
June 13, 2PM Intro to Canvas (Condensed) Webinar
June 23, 10AM Intro to Canvas (Condensed) Webinar
 July 11, 3PM Canvas Course Set-Up Workshop Crow 186
 July 11, 2PM Assignments & Grade Book Crow 186
 July 20, 10AM Quizzes Crow 186
 July 20, 11AM Mastering Modules Crow 186
July 28, 10AM Assignments & Grade Book Crow 186
July 28, 11AM Canvas Course Set-Up Workshop Crow 186
August 5, 1PM Intro to Canvas (Condensed) Crow 186
August 5, 2PM Assignments & Grade Book Crow 186
August 8, 2PM Quizzes Crow 186
August 8, 3PM Matering Modules Crow 186
August 8, 4PM Assignments & Grade Book Crow 186

IT Training: Canvas, Sitecore 8.1, and a contest for staff

 

New Canvas trainings
Canvas Now that Blackboard is no longer an option, get up and running with the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). These walk-in sessions will introduce you to the Canvas interface, creating course content, customizing your course’s look and feel, plus assignment grading. Find the full schedule on the IT Training page.


What is new in Sitecore 8.1
Sitecore We will be offering several courses in using the newly upgraded Sitecore 8.1, SMU’s Web Content Management System, later this summer. Until then, join us for “What’s New in Sitecore 8.1.” We will go through the new interface and highlight the changed from the current version of Sitecore. To register for one of the webinars, please visit the IT Training page.


President’s Picnic Contest
scooterAs part of the SMU Staff Association’s annual President’s Picnic, OIT will be there to join in the celebrations with giveaways and fun prizes! Staff, stop by our booth at the picnic on May 18th to learn more about OIT’s services including our lyndaCampus service which provides staff, faculty and students with thousands of courses on hundreds of topics.To make it even easier for you to watch Lynda.com courses, we’re giving away three Roku Streaming Sticks to three lucky staff members so you can watch courses (and also Netflix and other streaming services in your free time) on your television! We’ll be giving two away during the picnic, but follow the instructions below for a chance to win one right now.

Just simply log onto smu.edu/lynda at anytime between now and May 17th and watch at least one video and you will be entered into a drawing for a Roku Stick! The winning staff member will be announced during the picnic.

Also, we’ll be giving away a scooter from our friends at Qualtrics, so you can cruise around campus in style!

Office for 2016 is Here! Learn About New Features.

Office 2016The wait is over for both Windows and Mac users for the latest version of Microsoft Office: Office 2016. Along with a new look to better match Windows 10, it also has a few handy new features that Office 2010 and 2011 were lacking.

If you’re worried about getting a solid understanding of Office 2016’s new features and how they can help your work/study processes, we’ve got you covered. Through our partnership with Lynda.com, SMU students, faculty, and staff can access in-depth tutorials on the changes in this new version for both Windows and Mac. Just click on the links below, log in with your SMU ID and password, and you’re ready to go! Continue reading Office for 2016 is Here! Learn About New Features.