Office 2016

As many of you have probably heard, Microsoft released their updated version of Office this past September. Office 2016, which is both available for Windows and Mac computers, has some new features and a slightly new look, but the functionality is pretty consistent with previous versions. However, Microsoft has spent a considerable amount of time making this new version, along with the mobile apps, work seamlessly across platforms. It appears that Microsoft has finally realized the need for consistency with their Office products and they have made the necessary adjustments to provide quality Office applications regardless of PC, Mac, or mobile device (iOS and Android). On top of that, Microsoft has also made these applications available on the web through your Ferris Office 365 accounts for Faculty/Staff/Emeriti. So, with all of these things working together, Microsoft has provided you with a multitude of ways to stay connected with your Office applications and files, regardless of your device and location.

Here are few of the new features within Office 2016:

• Co-Authoring – This is available in both Word and PowerPoint – This allows you to work with others simultaneously on a document regardless of the device you are using.
• Simplified Sharing – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel – Just click the Share button in the Ribbon for easy sharing right from your Office documents. See who has access to a given document and who is currently working in the document, and change individual authoring permissions for any document you own.
• Real-Time Typing – This is available in Word – As you collaborate with others in a document, see where others are working and view their edits as they happen.
• Modern Attachments – This is available in Outlook – Attach a document from your recent items and share them from OneDrive for Business with email recipients. Also, configure sharing permissions so that all the recipients have access to the attached file without having to leave the app.
• New Chart Types – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel – Visualize financial and hierarchical data, and highlight statistical properties of your data with new chart types: Treemap, Waterfall, Pareto, Histogram, Box and Whisker, and Sunburst.
• Insert Online Video – This is available in OneNote – Liven up your notes by adding online videos and bringing interactivity to your content.
• Tell Me – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Project, Visio, and Access – Simply type what you want to do in the app using your own words, and then Tell Me will guide you through the process as well as offer additional resources.
• OneDrive Integration – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook – Access your Office documents from anywhere and any device by saving them to OneDrive, pick up anywhere you left off, and co-author with others from the comfort of your office or home, or even on the go.
• Skype Integration – Use Skype to check in and collaborate with someone using Instant Messaging (IM), voice, video, or screen sharing. Also join online meetings while on the go using the Skype for Business mobile app. See who is online, IM meeting participants, and follow along when a presenter shares his/her screen – all from your tablet or phone.
• Cross-Platform, Cross-Device – This is available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook – Easily switch from one device to the next without missing a beat. View and edit your Office documents across Windows, Android, and Apple devices. Review, edit, analyze, and present with a consistent and familiar user experience across your devices.

At this time, Ferris’ IT department is testing Office 2016 within the department to see how the applications work and if any tweaks or adjustments need to be made prior to a University roll-out. Once ITS has fully tested and created the necessary application installation packages, a deployment schedule will be announced. Tentatively Office 2016 will be available to University owned computers during PCR starting this summer. Also, during this time, the Office 2016 software will be available for home installations through the Office 365 portal.

For more information about Office 2016, please see the following links:

Office 2016 – What’s New and Improved

Office 2016 Quick Start Guides for PC

Office 2016 Quick Start Guides for Mac

Office 2016 Mobile Quick Start Guides

Windows Tablet Standard

The Information Technology Services department has named a standard tablet that runs the Windows Operating System. The standard Windows tablets are Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Microsoft Surface 3. The tablet selection was made this past May and the review team included members from IT and the Accounting department. This selection of a standard Windows tablet does not effect or replace the standard iPad options.

The review team looked at several different models and several different configurations before narrowing the selection down to just a few. During the initial discussions, it was determined that two options would be available as a standard, a High-End model and a Low-End model. The High-End model included things like a faster and more powerful processor, more memory, larger storage drive, and larger screen size. The specifications could allow a user to use the tablet as laptop and run more power intensive applications without losing function of the tablet, similar to a laptop. The Low-End model included things like a mid-grade processor, less memory, lower storage capacity, and smaller screen. This tablet option was selected for users that wanted/needed a tablet, but didn’t need the power to run resource heavy applications. This tablet is more for email, web browsing, and document modification.

The specifications for the selected tablets are as follows:

• Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (High-End)
  • Processor – Intel Core i5 1.9GHz
  • Memory – 8GB RAM
  • Storage – 256GB Hard Drive
  • Screen Size – 12″ Touchscreen
  • Stylus Included
  • Keyboard Cover Included
  • 3 Year Warranty
• Microsoft Surface 3 (Low-End)
  • Processor – Quad-core Intel Atom x7-Z8700
  • Memory – 4GB RAM
  • Storage – 128GB Hard Drive
  • Screen Size – 10.8″ Touchscreen
  • Stylus Included
  • Keyboard Cover Included
  • 3 Year Warranty

The decision to select two Microsoft Surface tablets for the High-End and Low-End was consistency between the layout and use of the tablet. Also, the ability to image and troubleshoot issues on a single brand is much easier for IT to manage. These tablets are being added to the Sehi purchase portal and to the standard purchase product list within the Ferris State University Technology Purchase Portal. Look for these to be added shortly. If you have any questions regarding the tablet selection or options, please contact the Technology Assistance Center for more information.

 

Updated Newsletter

The FSU Tech Connect newsletter has gotten a facelift. We have moved the newsletter from it’s old location on BlogSpot to WordPress and have updated the look and feel to provide a more updated and relevant source of news regarding ITS. The newsletter will begin with new monthly content starting in December. In conjunction with updating the newsletter, TAC has launched a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter to open the communication avenues that are popular with todays technology. The TAC Facebook page can be found by searching for Ferris State University Technology Assistance Center in Facebook or by going to This Link. You can also follow the TAC Twitter account here. These social media resources will provide an updated way to communicate with the Ferris community about IT related news and updates at Ferris and in the IT industry. And as always, if you have a topic that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please don’t hesitate to pass it along. You can send those ideas and suggestions to: tac@ferris.edu and put Tech Connect Newsletter Idea in the subject.

Network Maintenance Schedule

To keep our systems up and running, it is necessary to apply patches, install upgrades, and perform equipment maintenance. We schedule one or two Thursday nights a month, starting at 10 pm, to do most of this work. Other Thursday nights may be used if the work cannot wait. All systems should be functioning by 6 am Friday morning, if not earlier.

However, if a vital network system is not working well, we may need to take it out of service to repair it outside of our regular time. We will let you know of planned system work and status via announcements on the MyFSU login page, in FerrisConnect, on MyTechSupport News, and/or through email.

2015 Maintenance Nights

• Jan 5 (Monday)
• Jan 22
• Feb 5
• Feb 19
• Mar 11,12,13 (Spring Break)
• Mar 19
• Apr 16
• Apr 30
• May 14
• May 28
• Jun 11
• Jun 25
• Jul 9
• Jul 30
• Aug 13
• Aug 24 (Monday)
• Sep 10
• Sep 24
• Oct 1
• Oct 15
• Oct 29
• Nov 19
• Dec 3

In addition, Banner Services are usually unavailable at the end of the month for processing of business records. Please see this page for more information.


**After reviewing network usage, we found that Thursday nights, from 10 pm to 6 am, are low usage times. In addition, the technicians doing the work will be able to contact our vendors during their standard business hours the next day if needed.

Join Us At The Technology Town Hall In June!

The Technology Assistance Center will be hosting a Technology Town Hall next month.

June 7, 2013

11:00 am – Noon

MCO 210 

If you are in the Grand Rapids area, video conference participation is available at the Grand Rapids Pharmacy location, GRX 710.

This is your opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions about your technology services provided by Information Technology Services department at Ferris. You will also be introduced to the new TurningPoint classroom response system. 

Let us know you are going to attend by registering for the event. Go to http://www.ferris.edu/tactraining and click on the “Book Now!” button. Select Technology Town Hall from the workshop list.

Fill Out Survey! Win Prizes!

Information Technology Services would like your opinion of support over the past year. In addition to providing valuable data to us, you have a chance to win one of following items: – Seagate 500 GB external hard drive – 8 Gb USB flash drive – Pair of lunch passes to the Rock These prizes will be awarded as the result of random drawings. This survey is anonymous unless you choose to enter your name in the drawing. The option is presented at the end of the survey. Your feedback is important so that we can work over the next year to improve your IT support. It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey using your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking on “Start Survey” below. Start Survey

Written by Scott Thede

Got an Idea of How ITS Can Improve?

The Information Technology department is always looking for better ways to improve your experience with Ferris State’s technology services. So, we’ve set up an IT Services Feedback Forum that will serve as another tool to link communication between faculty, staff, and IT.

Currently, our main goal is to gather your ideas for quick wins to improve your daily technology experience and/or your technology support experience with IT
Services. We encourage you to explore the topics, view posts, and submit any of your own suggestions, but not to use this forum as a replacement for work orders.

You can post your own ideas, or use the “vote up” or “vote down” system that allows you to agree or disagree with previously submitted statements. This way, the most frequently made comments will be available for your viewing in a prioritized order, and also, it will show us which issues are of the highest importance.

We will respond to the entries to let you know if we can make the requested changes, as well as supply you with a timeframe for those potential changes.

To access the forum, go to the www.ferris.edu/techsupport site, and select the IT Communication tab within the navigation menu at the top. You will see a Feedback button—just click it and you are on your way! 

You will have access to all the posts and threads after you login using an existing account from popular sites such as Facebook or Gmail, or once you create a new, free account (we suggest just using your Ferris email address as the account). Check back often because more topics will be added for you to submit your responses to.

If you have any questions, please give us a call, or use the Contact Us link on the forum site.

Written by Susan Cherry