Remote working is becoming popular worldwide, spurred on by the rapid rise of technology and fast internet connections. It also comes in handy during disruptions or national disasters, such as the one currently underway.

The UCT Remote working toolkit

If you do work from home, you'll need the right tools and technology to operate effectively and efficiently away from the office. Here are some of the key elements you’ll need to work remotely:

 
Security

Before doing any work (either online or offline), ensure that you're running an up-to-date antivirus program. McAfee is free to all UCT staff and students.

This software protects your work, your computer and the UCT network from viruses and other cyber threats.

View UCT CSIRT's recommended remote working safety guide as well as their security advisories.

Remember these security tips

Practice good cybersecurity hygiene by following our recommended security tips.

  • Keep the operating system, applications, anti-virus and software that you use on your mobile devices and computer up-to-date. These are available via the applicable vendors’ websites. UCT-owned machines need to be connected to the UCT VPN to get the required operating system updates.
  • Change any default login details and create a strong and secure password for each account.
  • Back up your data regularly.
  • Consider enabling a guest wireless network for untrusted devices.
  • Enable wireless network encryption.
  • Beware of phishing attacks by getting to know the tell-tale signs so that you can easily spot one sent via phone, SMS, instant message or phone.
 
Connectivity

You will need to use your own personal internet connection (ADSL, fibre or mobile data) at your own cost. 

If you need to connect to the UCT network, log on to the UCT virtual private network (VPN).

View our guide on how to manage your data costs while working remotely.

With loadshedding happening more frequently, ensure that you are prepared for when the power goes off. You can also invest in one of these available UPS options.

 
 
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Email and calendar

Access your UCT email and your calendar via a web browser - using the Outlook Web App.

When opting to work remotely, it is recommended that you make your calendar visible to your colleagues so that they can easily see when you will be working away from the office. Additionally, when creating an appointment in your calendar to show that you are working remotely, select the Show As option as Working Elsewhere.

 
 
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Printing

You can print documents off campus via the UCT Managed Print Services. Use the mobile app  to print from another location. When you are back on campus you can simply release your print job at any of the Xerox machines located across campus.

 
 
Learning

If you want to learn new skills or enhance your knowledge about other work or personal topics, take advantage of UCT's subscriptions to LinkedIn Learning. This resource also has excellent working remotely courses that highlights best practices you can use to make the most of your time off campus.

Alternatively, explore other self-training resources that allow you to learn at your own pace.
 
Your files

If your work documents are stored on the UCT network (your department's G: drive), you can access these via the UCT virtual private network (VPN) or use Netstorage via a web browser to access these files.

If your department uses cloud storage, such as OneDrive or Google Drive, then access these files via a web browser.

Electronically sign documents.and handy PDF 

Adobe Acrobat forms

 
 
Communication

One of the conditions of working remotely is that you need to be contactable during the hours that you’re working.

Skype for Business is ideal for group discussions or meetings. Use it on your laptop or desktop to set up video or voice conferencing, instant message group chats, or even screen-sharing with colleagues.

It also allows you to either forward incoming calls to your mobile device or set it to ring on both your computer/handset and an alternative number, such as your mobile device.

You can then use the various status options to indicate your availability while working remotely:

  • Available: contactable
  • Busy/Do Not Disturb: not available to talk at the moment
  • Be Right Back: If you need to step away from your desk for a short period of time (less than 15 minutes)

Please ensure that your Skype for Business is set up beforehand so that you are reachable no matter where you’re working.

Alternatively. install the mobile app - which enables your smart phone or tablet to act as your work phone (along with other functionality like video calls and instant messaging). Using the app, you can also make phone calls to UCT and other numbers free of charge - with the only cost being your data connection. (See Skype for Business quick guide for details.)

Remember to ensure that you and your line manager are in agreement with how you will remain in contact while working remotely.
 
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Collaborate, communicate and meet using Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams provides you with the perfect solution to collaborate with your colleagues while working remotely.

The key benefit of Microsoft Teams is that you can use it to schedule online meetings, which is useful during this national disaster.

Get started with Microsoft Teams

  1. Install the application via Office 365.
  2. Once installed, open Microsoft Teams > go to Calendar and either schedule a new meeting or click meet now to initiate a meeting on the fly.
  3. If you have scheduled a meeting in Outlook that now needs to be conducted in Teams, simply open the meeting request and click Teams Meeting > Send update. A Join Microsoft Teams Meeting link will appear in the meeting request, which attendees can click to participate online.

Our extensive Microsoft Teams web article will help you quickly become acquainted with this powerful tool.

Information sessions

Join our range of Teams information sessions

LinkedIn Learning courses

 
 
Software

Install Office 365 on your personal laptop or mobile device to get access to Word, Excel and other Office products. Alternatively, use your UCT details to log on to Google Workspace - which includes a wide range of similar applications.

If you manage a departmental website or a blog, you don't need to be on campus to update the site - simply log on via your web browser.

UCT software licences also entitle you to install applications such as EndNote, Nvivo, MATLAB, SPSS and Statistica. And for more specialised software, use Remote Desktop Services to access software without installing it on your computer.

For research facilities such as Google Scholar, journals and other UCT library services, visit the UCT Libraries website.
 
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