Technology Guide to Working Remotely
Are You Prepared to Work Remotely?
If you’ll be working remotely, whether from an ASU-owned device or your personal computer, follow these steps to prepare and make sure your equipment works as expected.
- Make sure your device is in good working order and securely connected to the internet.
- Make sure you have a strong internet connection. For best results, plug your computer directly into your router or move closer to your router for a stronger WiFi signal.
- Ensure that your computer is updated and secure. Download the latest updates and patches to ensure your security software is up to date.
- Be sure to practice good online safety when working remotely.
- Locate the equipment you’ll need to be productive. Think about calling into meetings or video conferencing. Does your computer have a built-in microphone and speaker? Do you need a headset?
- If you need to take ASU-owned technology equipment home to work remotely, please fill out the ASU Technology Equipment for Remote Work form.
- Keep in mind, if you do need to access your office to retrieve equipment, that buildings may be locked. You can use your OneCard or CID for door access.
Communication and Collaboration
The most challenging part of working from home will probably be how you communicate and collaborate with your colleagues and peers. How do you make and answer phone calls when you aren’t at your desk? How do you have meetings when your coworkers aren’t in the same room?
You can access your ASU email at any time, from any device, at webmail.angelo.edu. The Outlook app is also available to download on iOS and Android.
Learn more about accessing your email
Phones and Voicemail
You can forward your office phone to another number, such as a mobile phone, for use when you are off-campus.
If you need your department’s main phone line to be forwarded, please contact the IT Service Center.
Voicemails received on your office phone will also be sent as an attachment to your email address so you can listen to them when you are away from your phone. If you are not receiving voicemails via email, please contact the IT Service Center.
Learn more about managing your phone
Online Meeting, Video Conferencing, and Conference Calls
Please Note: Faculty teaching online courses should refer to the Teaching information for Campus Closure
Several tools are available for you to participate in remote meetings.
When using online meeting tools, protect yourself against interruptions by uninvited guests, also known as “Zoom Bombing”. Learn more and get tips for staying safe at What is Zoom Bombing?.
Webex Meetings - Use Webex Meetings to connect and collaborate with teams from a browser, mobile, or video device with integrated audio, video, and content sharing.
Zoom - The Zoom video conferencing tool allows you to remotely communicate and collaborate with your peers through live audio and video from a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Google Meet - Connect with your team from anywhere. Meet takes the headaches out of joining a video call at work. Just set up a meeting and share a link.
Jabber Softphone - The Cisco Jabber softphone is a Unified Communication software available for all employees. It offers presence, instant messaging, voice and video communication, voicemail, screen sharing, and conference services.
Conference Now - Use Conference Now to setup and collaborate on a secure audio phone line with anyone remotely.
Accessing and Editing Files Remotely
When working from off-campus, make sure you have a plan to access the files that are stored on your campus computer or network drives. Depending on your needs, you have several options.
Remote Desktop and Remote Drive Access
Faculty and Staff can access their office PC using Remote Desktop Connection software. This allows you to connect to and control your office computer remotely and is the preferred method for accessing campus resources from off-campus.
To access documents and files stored on your network drives directly from off-campus computers users can also request VPN access
Learn more about Remote Network Access
Create and Store Documents in the Cloud
You ASU account provides access to cloud services from Microsoft and Google. When you create or store your files in the cloud you can always access the latest version of your files no matter where you are as long as you’re connected to the internet.
Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides - Upload files to Google Drive or create new files using Google Docs, Sheets and Slides and access them from anywhere. Anything created in Docs, Sheets or Slides is automatically saved as you’re working on it in real-time to Google Drive. Log in to your Google account at apps.angelo.edu using your ASU username and password.
Learn more about Google Apps at ASU
Microsoft Office 365 - With Office 365 you can download Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint on all of your devices. You can also access online versions of these programs, upload your files to the OneDrive cloud, and share your documents with other users. Log in to your Office 365 account at portal.office.com using your ASU email address and password.
Learn more about Using OneDrive
Prepare for Teaching Remotely
Now that you have the technology you need to work remotely, learn more about the tools and techniques you will need to teach online.