We want to inform you about an important update regarding the Microsoft Office software that is installed on university-provided computers and how the Office software connects with Office 365 services.
This will require upgrade of the Microsoft Office software installed on university computers, and we're recommending that employees take action to upgrade their computers at a time of their choice before we begin forced upgrades in late October.
Quick Summary
In mid-October 2023, Microsoft will be officially ending support for how Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 connect to Microsoft's 365 online services. Per Microsoft, what this means is that, while they will not be actively blocking the ability for older versions of the Office software to connect to Microsoft's online 365 services (like email, OneDrive, and SharePoint,) older Office versions 'might not be able to use all the latest functionality and features of Microsoft 365 services. In addition, over time, these older versions might encounter other unexpected performance or reliability issues while using Microsoft 365 services.'
In order to stay current with Microsoft's supported versions, IT has made the current Microsoft Office 365 software available for on-demand install/upgrade through the Software Center (Windows, under the Start Menu) and Managed Software Center (macOS, located on the Dock) on university employee computers. We will be forcing automated upgrades to the Office 365 software at the end of October 2023, and we recommend that you install the upgrade through your Software Center prior to then. If you do not see the Office 365 upgrade available in the Software Center on your university computer, please contact our IT Helpdesk (contact information listed below).
The upgrade should take approximately 30-60 minutes. On Windows devices, the Office 365 upgrade will also configure OneDrive to automatically back up specific folders on your comptuer. Macs will have OneDrive synchonization configured in a separate future update.
Please note that Windows computers do not need to be on campus or connected to the university VPN to complete the upgrade, while macOS devices will need to be either on campus or connected to the VPN. University computer labs have already been upgraded over the past summer.
More Detailed Information (for those interested)
Why the Change?
Microsoft will officially be ending support for older versions of Microsoft Office's ability to Office 365 services. To ensure security, compatibility, and access to the latest features, we are transitioning to Office 365, the latest and most robust version of Microsoft Office. With this transition, the Office 365 software will introduce the benefits of OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage solution, which seamlessly integrates with the Office 365 software.
What You Need to Do:
We request that you plan to upgrade your installed version of Microsoft Office to Office 365 in the coming weeks. We will be forcing automated upgrades at the end of October.
For individuals using the Office software on personally-owned computers, you can download the Office 365 software through WPconnect's Apps menu. Microsoft allows for use of the Office 365 software with an active WPUNJ account.
Benefits of Using Office 365 and online 365 services including OneDrive:
Enhanced Collaboration: With OneDrive, you can easily store, share, and collaborate on documents in real-time with colleagues and students. This seamless integration with Office 365 allows multiple users to edit and comment on documents simultaneously.
Anywhere, Anytime Access: OneDrive allows you to access your files from any device with an internet connection. This means you can work on your documents from the office, home, or even on the go on mobile devices with the Office 365 apps.
Automatic Backups: When your documents are saved to OneDrive (default) or SharePoint, they are automatically backed up to the cloud, providing an added layer of security against data loss. You can easily recover previous versions of files, reducing the risk of accidental deletions or edits.
Increased Storage Capacity: Each user receives a substantial amount of cloud storage space, reducing the need to worry about running out of storage on your local devices.
For more information about Office 365 and OneDrive, please consult our IT Wik article at https://itwiki.wpunj.edu/index.php/Microsoft_Office_365.
Need Help? We're here! If you encounter any issues or have questions during the update process, please reach out to our IT Helpdesk at www.wpunj.edu/helpdesk or (973) 720-4357.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to maintain a secure, efficient, and collaborative computing environment for all members of our university community.
Thank you.
Information Technology
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