Sheffield Hallam University has become part of Microsoft’s early adopter’s programme which means we are among the first customers in the world to preview and use the new Surface pro 4 devices.
Please see the IS&T Blog post.
Category Archives: Database and Applications
Outlook – update issues using categories to view information
Since a security patch in late 2013, a few users have reported that they are not getting notifications of new emails within Outlook (but can in OWA and Activesync). These users are using category views.. There is no fix from Microsoft at the time of writing but a workaround is to change Outlook to cached mode. This can easily be done on a SHU PC by using the [MD Help] application that is available from the Start Menu and selecting the Cached Exchange Mode option from the [Self Service Tasks]
Using the Outlook client at home on an MD7 laptop
If you are using Outlook at home on an MD7 laptop then the recommended approach at present is to use the VPN service in order to update your mailbox whilst using Cached Exchange Mode.
Using the VPN with MD7 laptops
After the VPN service is started then you should start Outlook in the usual way.
Mobile Access to Exchange 2010
please note: The only fully supported smartphone/tablets systems for connecting to SHU’s Exchange services are Blackberries and Apple IPhones/IPad/Touch systems.
During the migration to Exchange 2010 some ActiveSync users may need to change the server settings on their devices to maintain connectivity.
Users whose mailboxes have not been migrated yet may find that there are problems connecting using the server name exchange.shu.ac.uk. They may find that changing the server name to exchange2007.shu.ac.uk works.
After the user’s mailsbox has been migated to Exchange 2010, they “must” use the server name exchange.shu.ac.uk.
Exchange 2010 mailbox migration schedule
This change will provide a number of new features including enhanced web access to staff email and better compatibility with Outlook 2010. The version of Outlook will not be affected by this change.
Whilst the upgrade is taking place staff will be able to work as normal and won’t see any changes to their mailbox. If you are logged in during the final stage of the move you will be asked to restart Outlook – this will be scheduled to happen on Saturday 7pm-9pm to ensure that the change will cause little or no disruption to staff.
Users using the web version of Outlook (OWA) will see some changes to the interface following the move, with significant improvements for users of Safari and Firefox. A detailed list of changes is also available on the intranet here.
The timetable
5-7 October Migrate SLS; migrate shared mailboxes
12-14 October Migrate ACES
19-21 October Migrate D&S
26-28 October Migrate HWB
2-4 November Migrate SBS
9-11 November Migrate Finance and Facilities Directorate, Secretary and Registrar’s Directorate and VCG
16-18 November remaining departments/mailboxes including HWB and SBS
Exchange 2010 – issues with migration
1) Outlook Anywhere isn’t working ATM. The service is little used ATM but we are working to fix this. Whilst this is broken then remote users should prefaerably use either OWA or Activesync. Users who must use Outlook can use the SHU VPN or Terminal Service.
Exchange 2010 – move of IST
The migration of IST to Exchange 2010 mailboxes was completed on Tuesday 11/09/2012. No issues have come to light (but it has only been two days). A paper on the migration timetable for the rest of the university has been submitted to the Exchange Project board.
Exchange 2010 new features for users
Web Access (OWA)
- Favorites in the navigation pane
- Search folders
- Message filtering
- Ability to set categories in the message list
- Options in the Web management interface for Outlook Web App
- Side-by-side view for calendars
- Multiple client language support
- Ability to attach messages to messages
- Expanded right-click capabilities
- Conversation view
- Ability to send and receive text messages from Outlook Web App
- Outlook Web App mailbox policies
Outlook 2010 functionality
- MailTips can help users make the correct choices when they send sensitive communications.
- Message tracking lets you confirm that an e-mail message was delivered.
Activesync Features
- Conversation grouping of e-mail messages
- Ability to synchronize or not synchronize an entire conversation
- Synchronization of SMS messages with a user’s Exchange mailbox
- Support for viewing of message reply status
- Support for availability information for contacts
Exchange upgrade
During the Autumn of 2012 the University’s staff email system Exchange, will be upgraded from Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010.
There are a significant number of improvement and changes which can be seen here. users of Macs should particularly note that the Safari Web access has been enhanced.
One facility that will no longer be available is Mac Entourage connection using a technology called WebDav. We have have identified and contacted users of this about getting their software updated already, but if this is a urgent issue for you please contact ITHelp.
Timetable of the changes
On the 1st of August there will be a change which will be transparent to the vast majority of users but will have an impact on the Mac users who use Entourage.
The major change that most users will see is when their mailboxes are moved to the new system. The process of moving the mailboxes will take a couple of months to complete for the whole university. The impact for users is that will be a brief period (no more than 5 minutes) when the mailbox is unavailble. Where possible we will arrange for this period to be out of normal UK working hours. We will email you a few days before the migration of your mailbox take places.
Issues and comments
Issue with this can be emailled to exchange2010issues@shu.ac.uk or reported to ITHelp. Comments about the new service can be posted in the comments box below.