Fuze Web Conferencing to be Discontinued, Replaced

05/17/2018

The vendor of the University’s web conferencing platform recently notified the University that it would discontinue SLU’s version of Fuze, a web collaboration tool, on Tuesday, July 31.

Those logging into Fuze are now receiving an “End of life notice” message from the product’s parent company. 

Information Technology Services (ITS) leadership is working with the company to provide an extension, but have not received a guarantee at this time. 

Given the situation, ITS is working on a rollout and training plan to move up the planned availability of Microsoft Skype for Business to University faculty, staff and students to June 2018.

As part of the change last year to the Microsoft Office 365 platform, a project to move the University to Skype for Business as SLU’s web collaboration platform has been underway. Initial plans were to make the tool and training available later during the summer and to decommission Fuze at a later date. 

Microsoft’s Skype for Business provides industry leading communication and collaboration features including:

• Instant Messaging
• Presence (availability)
• Online audio/video meetings
• Screen sharing
• Windows, Mac and Mobile device support
• Contact list integrated with Office 365 email
• Schedule Skype meeting from Office 365 calendar
• Record meetings to local computer
• Supports up to 250 participants in each meeting

Additional information will be coming soon regarding the transition from Fuze to Skype. Training sessions on Skype for Business will be available throughout the summer and fall terms.

For questions or more information, contact Kyle Collins, assistant vice president for technology transformation, or call 314-977-1842.