LRAT and TAMU support two video-conferencing platforms: Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
- Zoom is the popular choice. Some of our teaching rooms are Zoom Rooms with the added functionality needed for simultaneous bimodal teaching.
- Teams is tightly integrated into Microsoft 365 and is increasingly the favoured choice.
Teams is bundled as part of Office 365 and authenticates using your active directory username and password.
Zoom authentication now uses your University email address and your Active Directory password. More details are available in a knowledgebase article. For support email tamu@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Portable hardware for video-conference sessions
Book a Logitech Group video-conferencing Kit for better quality Teams, Zoom and Skype connections.
For smaller huddle groups the Meeting Owl is a great option - featuring smart recognition of participants
LRAT now supply Owl Pro's which can be used in multiple to give better microphone coverage.
Rooms with fixed video-conferencing
Desktop video conferencing
This only requires a web camera and microphone (and - ideally - headphones). Software such as Teams and StarLeaf is free and easy to use. It is ideal for non-critical one-to-one meetings. Do note that generally Skype and Skype for Business are not interoperable.
Skype
Skype is a home-consumer product for making video calls to other Skype users. A standard, free Skype account is suitable for camera plus audio communication on a one to one or multiway basis, where quality and assurance is not important.
Users are responsible for creating their own Skype user account which is essential for using the software.
LRAT does not support the Skype part of the meeting at all but we can hire out USB cameras and microphones configured for the platform. LRAT staff will only set up the equipment and cannot offer any assistance in case the link breaks down. LRAT lecterns feature Skype but are not equipped with webcams.
Dubai campus
IT Services have issued this authoritative advice.
How to book
Bookings by external customers should be made by email to lrathire@bham.ac.uk.