Overview
Adobe Connect Pro is a mature and sophisticated web conferencing program with secure access, an easy invitation system, and the capability to host large groups. It allows you to share presentations and multimedia from your desktop or presentation computer through video and/or audio. This includes meetings with local and/or remote participants (beyond U of G), Thesis Defenses, Seminars, or any other purpose that might require audio/video collaboration. Many of you will have seen Adobe Connect used elsewhere and may have participated in meetings using this tool, or viewed videos captured by this tool.
For the last several years, AA&D and OVC have been supporting a local installation of Adobe Connect (previously known as Breeze) on campus. Usage has grown beyond these departments and a more sustainable, campus wide solution was requested. A review was undertaken and a background document prepared for the U of G Information Services Council Infrastructure and Architecture subcommittee, entitled “Collaborative Meeting Tools”. The result of this review was a decision to move to a hosted version of Adobe Connect that could provide consistent access across campus. See below for information on acquiring or using the Shared Departmental Adobe Connect Licenses.
Adobe Connect Pros:
- High capacity (Up to 100 participants).
- Extremely versatile.
- Efficient participant controls.
- Multiple camera/microphones can be connected at once.
- Persistent meeting rooms.
- Ability to record meeting.
- Shared templates.
- Hosted solution providing 24x7x365 through Adobe.
Adobe Connect Cons:
Requires some planning to be registered ahead of meeting time.
Important information about the hosted Adobe Connect service:
1. The Adobe Connect service will be hosted remotely. It will work very similarly to the existing service supported by AA&D and OVC, which will be decommissioned at the end of the winter semester. Current users of the existing service will be given prior notification to this service ending.
2. On-line documentation for both Adobe Connect and tested free web conferencing tools have been developed for community access.
3. Organizational accounts will be created to correspond with all Adobe Connect licenses so that GryphMail calendaring can be used to schedule and coordinate license usage amongst local users and so that emails can be sent to this account when there is a need to share information about service changes. We will be creating organizational email accounts that follow the format <unit>.connect@uoguelph.ca (eg. ccs.connect@uoguelph.ca) as this will create consistency and make identification easier. This process will be handled by the CCS Help Centre as part of the Adobe Connect departmental license creation outlined below.
4. A user listserv weconference-users@listserv.uoguelph.ca has been created and all departmental Connect license holders will be added to the listserv to participate, as well as others who are interested in participating. This listserv will encourage users to share their expertise with each other in a peer support community approach.
5. Training opportunities may be planned and will be communicated via the listserv.
Shared Departmental Adobe Connect Licenses
The University has licenced Adobe Connect Pro as a more formal web conference tool. Departments will be given access to the central Adobe Connect Pro service via a shared departmental licence. Each department/unit is entitled to one license (at no cost to your department) and will be required to delegate an individual within the department as a designate to oversee the license within their area. This does not necessarily have to be someone with technical IT skills (see the note below explaining this role).
If your department does not yet have a Connect license, please contact your local administrative personnel and ask them to request a license from CCS. If you believe your department already has a license and do not know who your Connect designate is, please contact the CCS Help Centre and we can help to direct you to the appropriate designate in your area so that you can access the departmental shared license. CCS provides the licensing administration support for Adobe Connect through our CCS Help Centre and will coordinate with Adobe for ongoing delivery of this service.
Please note the following requirements for U of G Adobe Connect Pro participants:
- Shared departmental accounts will be provided at no cost to the end users
- We require each department/unit to coordinate their own license within their department once CCS creates it for you.
- Usage statistics will be reviewed yearly. Any non-used licenses will be re-allocated.
- The new model can accommodate personal licenses for those who may require more dedicated access to the service. After our initial allocation, personal licenses will be available for purchase for approximately $135 per year through the CCS Help Centre. More information will be shared on this soon.
- Frequent and knowledgeable users of Adobe Connect can participate in the peer support community via our listserv: webconference-users@listserv.uoguelph.ca.
Role of the Designate
The role of the designate within each department/unit is to:
- take ownership of the license.
- monitor all email communications from CCS and/or Adobe Connect and notify department users of relevant information.
- Find and/or provide local support for web conferencing as needed.
- The designate will need to coordinate usage and ensure that meetings associated with their account do not conflict. The use of the GryphMail Calendar for the associated organizational account would suit this purpose.
- the designate may undertake responsibility for setting up all meetings OR simply manage access and distribute credentials to individuals. This may be more challenging if there is high usage.
If you have any questions about this service, please contact us at ccs.connectadmin@uoguelph.ca or via the CCS Help Centre at ext. 58888 or 58888help@uoguelph.ca. We look forward to hearing from interested participants by January 23, 2010.
Documentation: