Is your digital workspace keeping pace with the evolving demands of the modern student and professional? The University of Florida (UF) is undergoing a significant technological transformation, migrating its entire email infrastructure to Microsoft 365, promising enhanced collaboration and a streamlined digital experience for its entire community.
This strategic shift, spearheaded by UF Information Technology, marks a pivotal moment for the university, solidifying its commitment to providing cutting-edge resources for its students, faculty, and staff. The move to Microsoft 365, also known as GatorMail or Outlook Online, isn't just about email; it's about embracing a comprehensive cloud-based platform designed to foster productivity and communication. While students have already been navigating the Microsoft 365 environment for the past two years, the full migration represents a comprehensive deployment, ensuring that all users across the institution benefit from the platform's robust features.
This transition offers a multitude of advantages, designed to empower the UF community with essential tools and resources. This evolution includes the accessibility of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus, available to students as part of the UF-Microsoft agreement. Students can download up to five free copies of this suite through UFs GatorCloud, granting access to vital programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams. This empowers them to work on assignments, projects, and collaborative efforts from any device, fostering flexibility and enabling seamless engagement with coursework and university activities.
The core of this digital transformation lies in the adoption of Microsoft 365 (aka GatorMail/Office 365/Outlook Online), a cloud-based solution. The transition involves moving all email accounts from the existing UF Exchange on-premise email system, which is being shut down by UFIT. The move is aimed at improving email, and integrating the platform with the suite of tools in Microsoft 365, ensuring alignment and seamless functionality for everyone involved.
The University of Florida's decision to move to Microsoft 365 isn't just about upgrading email; its an acknowledgment of the need to provide its users with the best modern platforms for collaboration. The move represents a commitment to providing all members with seamless support, advanced features, and a system that can evolve with the increasing demands of the digital world. The shift is taking place in phases, and the entire college will migrate to Microsoft 365 mail by September 22nd.
This project has been a collective effort, with collaborative action across different departments. Several CLAS departments were migrated over the summer. This progressive approach enables the IT support to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.
For users experiencing any complications, the university's IT department offers resources and support, including the university's official website. The university also provides multiple contact points, including social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, to facilitate information dissemination and address concerns effectively. Its important to note that technicians do not support foreign language editions, and users should ensure their applications are configured in supported languages for optimal functionality.
