University Times

All together now…

Two new collaboration tools are being made available for Pitt computer users.

Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD) is planning a Feb. 18 launch of cloud storage service “Box for Pitt” and an audio, video and web-conferencing tool Microsoft Lync.

Jinx Walton, Pitt’s chief information officer, said faculty, staff and students will have access to the free services via the my.pitt.edu portal.

Box for Pitt

Some computer users may be familiar with Box, which enables users to store files securely online where they can be accessed or shared from anywhere there is an Internet connection. Storage can be synced to a user’s desktop; mobile interfaces are available for devices including the iPad, iPhone and Android.

Pitt users will get a 25GB allocation free — most people use less than 1GB, Walton said — and will have the opportunity to buy additional space if they need it.

She said that Box is being used by more than 30 research institutions that, like Pitt, are part of the Internet2 consortium. Because Box has gained acceptance in higher education, applications useful in the research university environment are among those being developed, she said.

In a recent presentation to Pitt IT staff, CSSD enterprise architect Dan Menicucci noted that Box for Pitt has the advantage of allowing users to tag content and to invite collaborators — within the University or beyond— to share certain files or folders.

He cautioned that although Box for Pitt is secure, it is not meant for storing sensitive data such as passwords, financial information, research data, personal information or confidential University computer data.

Guidelines for what is sensitive information and more details on Box for Pitt can be found at technology.pitt.edu/box.

Lync

Microsoft Lync, which also will be made available for free, Menicucci said, “is a Swiss army knife of tools and functionalities.”

Lync enables instant messaging (IM) as well as conference call-style audio conferencing, video conferencing and web conferencing (including the ability to upload presentations, conduct polls, share screens and use whiteboards). Conferences can be scheduled in advance or occur ad hoc, he said.

Lync also has color-coded “presence” functions to indicate a user’s reachability, which helps others know before emailing or phoning whether a colleague is available at his or her desk.

Users can manage a directory photo, which Menicucci said can be an aid to collaboration, noting that people tend to engage better when they can see what their colleagues look like.

Users can opt to use their Pitt ID photo, upload their own photo, or simply be represented by a generic silhouette.

Walton said there is demand among University users for IM. “We’ve had a lot of requests from faculty and staff asking for recommendations for instant messaging programs.”

She said Lync will replace WebEx for Pitt’s web conferencing services, adding that WebEx, which came with a cost to users, was implemented by some units but not used as widely as had been hoped.

“The goal is to make [the services] accessible to everyone,” Walton said. “We don’t want people shut out due to budget limitations.”

Menicucci said that although Lync is replacing WebEx as Pitt’s web conferencing solution, users who prefer WebEx can set up their own contracts to continue using it.

Details on Lync can be found at technology.pitt.edu/lync.

—Kimberly K. Barlow