EUSA evaluating new email system

Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) is currently assessing a new email system which it hopes will provide an improved service for students at the University.

The system, called Office 365, is currently being assessed on its suitability and usability by a small group of students and, depending on positive feedback, could be introduced to all taught students as early as September.

Office 365 is a subscription-based system which operates through The Cloud. The benefits of it include access to Cloud-based versions of Microsoft office for those who do not have Word, larger inbox space and a more user-friendly inbox through Outlook, including an online calendar enabling students to arrange meetings with each other and keep track of events and other priorities.

The system will also provide students with access to Microsoft Lync, an instant messaging client which can provide communication through audio, video and collaboration tools such as whiteboards.

It will potentially provide students with a better means of communicating as well as a more user-friendly email experience.

It is understood that it was the University’s intention to introduce the new system to all staff and students, however, having encountered difficulties, it was decided that it will be used by students only.

In addition Office 365 will not be used by research students who need to use a system compatible with that of the staff at the university.

Mike Williamson, Vice-President Academic Affairs at EUSA said: "We're still in the evaluation stage so I don't want to build this up too much, but I'm confident that the new email system, if we go ahead with it, will be a huge improvement on the service that students currently receive.

"The email system hasn't been upgraded in quite some time so in my eyes this couldn't come soon enough."