Facilitated training sessions are scheduled over the next several weeks as the university transitions to an integrated email, calendaring and task management system using Microsoft Exchange Server.

The hands-on training is recommended for Oracle Calandar “super users” – those who currently manage multiple calendars, act as calendar designates, and/or manage scheduling of resources such as rooms and equipment. As well, IT Administrative Representatives are encouraged to attend sessions so they can share what they learn with others in their department.

“These sessions are designed to make the transition for current Oracle Calendar users as smooth as possible by bringing them quickly up to speed on how the Microsoft calendar works. This will ensure they can continue their day-to-day responsibilities with as little disruption as possible,” says Bo Wandschneider, Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice-Principal (Information Technology Services).

A variety of facilitated sessions are being held prior to the Oracle Calendar migration that’s scheduled for May 12-13. These include an overview of the integrated Outlook Suite; an introduction to Outlook Email; an introduction to the Outlook Calendar; and how to work as a calendar delegate. Additional material is being developed that will focus on managing resources and using email rules (filters) effectively. All of the handouts from these sessions are available online through QShare.

While Microsoft Outlook has been the supported email client at Queen’s for several years, some users will be using it for the first time to get all the benefits of the new integrated system. Extensive online resources from Microsoft are available to support new users of Outlook and those who feel they need a refresher.

In addition to the facilitated sessions, student staff members at the Emerging Technology Centre (ETC) in Mackintosh-Corry Hall B109 are available to answer any questions. The drop-in hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. Faculty and staff can also complete web-based training modules in the ETC with support from the students.

The new service allows users to access email, calendar, contacts and tasks from one integrated application. The benefits for users include being able to move easily between their calendars and their emails, as well as seamless integration with most mobile devices. In addition, the transition provides increased efficiency for scheduling meetings when everybody is using the same calendar.