New features to Miami's WebEx service

by Cathy McVey, information technology services

On Sunday, March 27, IT services upgraded Miami’s WebEx collaboration service. As a direct result of this work, several requested improvements are now in place.

Audio Improvements

The biggest change is how audio is provided. Up until now, meeting hosts had to choose between having participants call in or use the in-computer audio. Now participants can use whichever audio access best suits their needs. Attendees are no longer restricted to one audio source in a WebEx session.

Here are the new choices, in WebEx lingo:

• WebEx Audio/Mixed Mode
  • Attendees can use either in-computer (VoIP) or phone (teleconferencing) to join the meeting
• VoIP:
  • In-computer delivery of audio
  • Attendees use a headset or microphone and speakers to participate
• Teleconferencing:
  • Dial-in audio
  • Attendees use a telephone to participate

Meeting hosts should set the audio source to 'Webex Audio' for new or existing WebEx meetings.  

This extra capability is facilitated by migrating from an end-of life local audio bridge to a cloud-based audio bridge.  In-computer audio sessions continue to be available with no charge to the users.  

With the migration to the new cloud audio bridge, the dial-in number for phone calls is changing.  When a new meeting is created, the host and attendees will see the new number. To smooth the switch to the new number, calls placed to the current dial-in number will be forwarded to the new number for a time.  

Participants choosing to use the phone to dial in may be charged a long distance fee depending upon their long distance plan.  Calls from a cell phone or personal phone are dependent upon the terms of that phone’s plan and calls from university phones will incur a long distance charge. New KB cases are being prepared with suggested WebEx compatible audio devices.

WebEx for Students

Another significant benefit provided by the upgrade is that Miami students may now host WebEx meetings and open Private Rooms. Previously students needed a faculty or staff member to be the host of any meeting they wanted to schedule.

Students will be able to schedule meetings with up to eight people for group projects, student organizations, research projects, or any other need. Students can access WebEx via MiamiOH-Student.WebEx.com.

WebEx is an interactive, online meeting space. Hosts can schedule meetings for groups of nearly any size. On screen the host can share their desktop or pass off to another attendee to share theirs. Audio settings control who is speaking, and a live chat allows participants to ask questions or provide information without interrupting the speaker.  Meetings can be recorded and saved for future reference.  

To learn more about using WebEx audio see the WebEx Help Central website. Cases in the IT services Knowledge Base can also provide useful information. WebEx support is provided by the vendor, Cisco. From the Meeting Center page on the WebEx site, expand Support to find User Guides and Training.