You're going to have to interact with a lot of different software and websites and apps at Waterloo, and it can be hard to get a handle on what software does what. Here's a quick guide to many of the tech tools you're likely to come across as a faculty member (for more on online teaching tools, see the Keep Learning website).
|
What it’s called |
What it means |
What it does |
Where to find instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADFS | Active Directory Federation Service | Manages secure web logins for various UW systems with single sign-on access. | |
| CAS | Central Authentication System | Also manages secure web logins for various UW systems with single sign-on access, just with a different (older) protocol than ADFS. | |
| Concur | Expense claim software | Sends your out-of-pocket expense claims to Finance | Concur training webpage |
| Duo | Two-factor authentication | Adds a second layer of security to all your UW logins. Will be mandatory this November, so opt in now. | Two-factor authentication webpage |
| GoSignMeUp | Training and development registration system | Allows you to find and register for workshops at the Centre for Teaching Excellence, Equity Office, and more. | Instructions on the GoSignMeUp homepage |
| GroupNet | Canada Life's plan member website and app | Allows you to submit your health & dental claims on your phone or in your browser, and tells you your health & dental plan balances. |
Help centre within GroupNet (login/register first) |
| LEARN | The UW iteration of Desire2Learn's learning management software. | It's the official Learning Management System (LMS) for undergraduate/graduate teaching at Waterloo. Fun fact: It's capitalized only to differentiate it from the common word "learn." | LEARN help website |
| Microsoft (Office) 365 | The software-as-a-service package behind your email, calendar, Teams, and more. | Provides access to your UW email, file storage (OneDrive), and online Microsoft Office productivity tools. | |
| Office 365 Apps | The familiar suite of Microsoft Office applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote | Provides the usual Microsoft Office applications, but now connected to your Office 365 account, which means you can sync files to your OneDrive and collaborate with others. Also called Microsoft Office ProPlus. | Microsoft Office 365 support resources |
| Odyssey | Supports faculty in some units with administering graduate admissions, exams, and TA assignments. | Odyssey website | |
| OneDrive | Cloud-based file storage | Provides space for you to store 5TB of your files and easily share them with other users. | IST Knowledge Base section on OneDrive |
| Qualtrics | Survey software | Creates sophisticated surveys with a friendly user interface for the people taking them. | Qualtrics support |
| Quest | Student information system | Manages student registration, tuition, class allocation, and scheduling. | Registrar resources website |
| Skype for Business | "Softphone" software: a web-based telephony and messaging system | Will soon replace most traditional office desk telephones on campus. Also does video chat, instant messaging, and desktop sharing. Will eventually be replaced by Teams. Not available to undergraduate students. | "Using Skype for Business" in the IST Knowledge Base |
| Student Accommodations Faculty Module | How you interact with AccessAbility Services | Allows you to manage student accommodations | AccessAbility Services website |
| Unit4 | Financial recording and procurement system | This is where you manage your grants, expenses, etc. Out-of-pocket expenses go through Concur. | Unit4 User Manual |
| UW Scholar | Personalized research websites | Website template for researcher/faculty profiles. Easiest way to develop your own faculty/lab group profile | Web Resources website, UWaterloo Scholar section |
| WatCard | UW ID card | Access library resources and recreation facilities, and pay for things on campus. | |
| WatIAM | Waterloo Identity Account Management | WatIAM usernames are used by Quest, WaterlooWorks, Learn, myHRinfo, Office 365 email and many other campus systems. | WatIAM website |
| WatSafe app | Campus emergency notification app | Sends you notifications as to emergencies on campus (e.g. fire, active shooter). It's installed on all UW owned/operated computers and can be downloaded onto your phone as well. | |
| WCMS | Waterloo Content Management System | The WCMS is the tool through which all UW websites are created and maintained. | Web Resources section, WCMS 2 training and support; WCMS 3 training and support |
| Workday | HR's employee management system | Access tax info, pay slips, employee hiring/management tools, record of employment, training history/registration, and more. | Workday user guides |
For more help with software and IT systems, visit the IST Knowledge Base or IST help.