The University’s emergency desktop notification tool, UW Emerge, was recently replaced with a new tool called WatSAFE Desktop Notification, available for both Mac and Windows clients.
Modernizing the service
The existing desktop notification tool was developed by University employees several years ago, and while it has worked well in the past, IST no longer had the inhouse resources to modify and fully support the tool. Also, the new macOS no longer supports 32-bit applications, a change that prevents new users from downloading UW Emerge to their Mac machines.
About WatSAFE Desktop Notifications
WatSAFE Desktop Notification (powered by AppArmor) will modernize our campus emergency alerting infrastructure, while integrating seamlessly with the existing emergency notification system. Administrators are able to leverage the cloud-based dashboard to monitor and maintain emergency desktop notifications, from anywhere, at any time.
Accessing the new tool
Windows machines
The WatSAFE desktop notification tool was pushed out to IST-managed Windows machines in August 2019.
Those with unmanaged Windows machines can visit the IST Knowledge Base and follow the steps in the support article to install the alerting tool.
(Administrative privileges may be required to complete the installation).
Mac machines
Steps for installing the new tool on a Mac machine are also available in the IST Knowledge Base (search WatSAFE desktop notification).
Group deployments
If you are responsible for managing a group of Windows or Mac machines, you may request a package-based deployment version via Request Tracker (RT).
What happens to UW Emerge?
UW Emerge was removed from all IST-managed Windows machines on November 27, 2019. All others have been instructed to remove UW Emerge from their workstation and install the appropriate WatSAFE desktop notification client. Individuals who do not remove UW Emerge from their workstation may receive additional reminders to do so through the tool.
