You are here: American University Information Technology Services Technology Tools for Working Remotely

Technology Tools for Working Remotely

Check out these tools and tips to prepare for a successful remote work experience.

Resources for Remote Work

This page provides a collection of technology tools and resources to help AU staff to prepare for a successful remote work or telecommutingexperience. Whether your are working remotely by choice or necessity, our goal is to enable you to stay connected and productive from any location, as if you were on campus.

Featured Content

Resources to Remain Productive

Many AU tools are available for use from anywhere without any special connection steps, such as: AU's Website, Blackboard Learn, Eagle Service, Graduate Recruit, Listserv, MicroStrategy Reports, MyAU Portal, Office 365, Operational Reports, and ServiceNow.

Please see below for the list of applications that require special connection steps and information on the tools needed to securely access.

Office 365 for Home Use

The university license agreement grants staff and faculty access to the Office 365 suite.

Explore your options for accessing webmail, using the online apps, or installing the suite on up to 5 devices.

Teams Video Title Screen

Stay Connected to Your Coworkers

Teams is an essential tool for maintaining communication. Host virtual meetings, use online chat, orshare your screen.

Securely Store Your Files in Appropriate Locations

should be used for storing personal work-related files and folders.

Confidential data,such asnames combined with social security numbers or date of birth, must be stored on the .

Virtual Meetings

The university has several tools to support virtual meetings where participants join from any location:

  • Audio-Only Conference -Participants can dial-in to a conference bridge phone number to attend a group phone call.
  • Web Conference via Microsoft Teams-can be conducted using Microsoft Teams and offer the ability to visually share presentation materials with participants, live camera feeds, and/or chat comments.All faculty and staff currently have the capability to conduct ad hoc Web conference meetings using Microsoft Teams. Participants can attend a virtual online meeting by connecting to the meeting via computer or mobile device.
  • Web Conference Dial-in Capability via Microsoft Teams-You can additionally provide afor participants to attend a web conference meeting, if they don't have access to a computer or have the Teams app installed on their mobile device.Note: The dial-in phone number option does not provide access to shared materials or live camera feed.
  • Web Conference via Zoom -The university recently procured a campus-wide license of , which you can now use as an option for web conferencing. With this license, you are able to host meetings with a size limit of 300 participants with a duration of up to 24 hours.

Request an Audio-Only Conference Number

Faculty &staff can request an audio-only conference bridge phone number by submitting theTelephone Configurationform. Select theConference Audio Bridge Code Requestoption and provide your departmental budget number.

Microsoft Teams

Request a Microsoft Team

Request aprivate Team be created for your group, department, committee, or project team.

Web Conference Dial-in Request

Faculty &staff can request the option to provide dial-in capability for their Microsoft Teams meetings by sending an email tohelpdesk@american.edu.

Request Teams Dial-In Number

Support Resources

While you are working remotely, remember there are numerous support resources available to help you.

Remote Work FAQs

Got Questions?

Review answers to the most frequently asked questions about remote work.

Telework Technology Checklist

Telework is new to many at AU, so review our checklist which offers advice, best practices, and guidance.

Laptop with Headset

Prepare for Remote Work Video

While our synchronous seminars have concluded, our overview of AU telework resources remains available.

Tools for Accessing Restricted Business Applications

AU's network has been designed to protect applications and systems which contain sensitive data.

  • For remote access to the following applications, you must first securely connect to the AU VPN and use Duo 2-Factor Authentication:AiM Facilities Management,Colleague,CommonSpot Authoring,Informer,MicroStrategy Desktop Developer, Network Drives,Undergraduate Recruit, & WebNow.
  • Please sign off of the VPN, when not needed, to conserveVPN capacity for other members of the AU community.
  • See the video and instructional links detailed steps.
Student on her mobile device

2-Factor Authentication

2-Factor is an extra layer of security required for accessing restricted AU services.

Connect to AU's Virtual Private Network

  • Securely connect to AU restricted resources from anywhere.
  • Ensure all of your data travels to and from your computer protected from prying eyes.
  • Benefit from additional security protections.

Connect to the AU VPN

Important Resources & Advice

  • The best advice we can provideis to make sure that youtest your remote work set-up in advance of an actual emergency, so you are confident of the tools, process, and expectations.
  • Please refer to AU'sSchedule and Work Modality Policy, as not all positions are eligible for remote work.

  • , in the event of an emergency, have been published by the Center for Teaching, Research and Learning.