Archives

URL Shortening Service (UofT.me)

""  Overview and Key Features:

UofT.me is a U of T branded URL shortening service that lets you create short, memorable links for official university web pages. Instead of sharing long or complex URLs, users can generate a concise UofT.me link that’s easy to type, remember, and share.

Key Features:

  • Create short, professional U of T–branded links instantly (No sign-in required).
  • Works across select U of T domains to ensure authenticity and consistency.
  • Ideal for email campaigns, social media, and printed materials.
  • Maintains university identity while improving usability and link readability.
  • Managed and supported by the Web Services team (EASI Division) for administrative use.

""  Getting Started:

  1. Visit https://uoft.me.
  2. Enter the long U of T URL you’d like to shorten.
  3. Choose a custom keyword (optional) to personalize your shortlink.
  4. Click Shorten URL to instantly generate your UofT.me link.

You can now share the shortened link in emails, websites, or marketing materials.

The list of links this service works for is:

  • utoronto.ca
  • toronto.edu
  • utoronto.audienceview.net
  • uoft.service-now.com
  • utoronto.sharepoint.com
  • uthrprod.service-now.com
  • hcm17.sapsf.com
  • utoronto.zoom.us
  • utoronto-my.sharepoint.com
  • utsc.service-now.com

Question mark - Free communications icons   Get Help:

For assistance or feedback, please contact the Web Services team by opening a ticket in ESC or email us at webservices@utoronto.ca

Online Meetings (Zoom)

"" Overview and Key Features:

Zoom is a cloud-based video communications tool that allows you to set up virtual video and audio conferencing, webinars, live chats, screen-sharing, and other collaborative capabilities. Instructors have additional access to Zoom Cloud for recordings up to 365 days.  Undergraduate students do not have access to record to Zoom Cloud.  An Instructor/teaching assistant can host meetings with unlimited minutes for up to 300 participants.

 

""  Getting Started:

Login to the University of Toronto Zoom access portal – utoronto.zoom.us

  • Scenario I: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Community Members

Members of the UTM community should continue to use the U of T Zoom Portal (https://utoronto.zoom.us) as they always have – there is no change for you.

  • Scenario II: Zoom Accounts Supplied by Departments/Divisions

We know that several departments and even some full divisions, such as OISE, Medicine, U of T Scarborough, etc. have paid for, supply, and/or manage Zoom accounts for their instructors and staff. If your Zoom account was given to you by your department, it is imperative that you do NOT access the U of T Zoom Portal without first checking with your local or divisional IT unit. If you are not sure, please contact your local or divisional IT unit first.

  • Scenario III: No Previous Zoom Account (or accounts not associated with a U of T email)

For individuals who have never had a Zoom account, or for individuals who have a Zoom account that is not associated with their U of T email address, simply go to the U of T Zoom Portal (https://utoronto.zoom.us), and log in with your UTORid and password, and claim your personal Zoom Education license.

  • Scenario IV: Existing Free Zoom Account using U of T email

For individuals who have a Free Zoom account that is associated with their U of T email address, and who wish to upgrade at no personal cost to a full Zoom Education account, simply go to the U of T Zoom Portal (https://utoronto.zoom.us), and log in with your UTORid and password, and claim your personal Zoom Education license. It will take about 24 to 48 hours to transfer your existing Free Zoom account to our provisional Zoom Education Licenses.

 

""   Get Help:

UTM ITS Zoom Index of Knowledge Base articles (requires UTORid and password):
https://uoft.service-now.com/utm_iits?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB 0011068 External Link icon

Academic, Research & Collaborative Technologies (ARC) Zoom information (details on account creation, zoom licence scenarios):
https://act.utoronto.ca/zoom-information/ External Link icon

U of T Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering (FASE) Documentation on Zoom:
https://ito-engineering.screenstepslive.com/s/ito_fase/m/95272  External Link icon

Academic, Research & Collaborative Technologies (ARC) Enterprise Video-conferencing & Video Meeting Resources:
https://act.utoronto.ca/enterprise-video-conferencing-video-meeting-resources/ External Link icon

 

Web Hosting Services

""   Overview and Key Features:

This resource is available for academic and administrative use. This website design service is offered by ARC for all academic and administrative units and departments.  Cost depends on the size and scope of the website. Design and development work is provided on a case-by-case basis.

 

Help - Free computer icons    Getting Started:

The creation process is relatively simple:

  1. Decide on a domain name, one that ends with ‘utoronto.ca’
  2. Request approval of the domain name by reaching out to

webservices@utoronto.ca

  1. We’ll create a temporary website for you (we call these “staging” sites), so you can get started on content right away
  2. Login, add content, change theme and design

When everything looks good, we’ll finalize the launch.

 

Question mark - Free communications icons   Get Help:

Please feel free to contact us at webservices@utoronto.ca

Voice Communication Services

""   Overview and Key Features:

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a network connection instead of a regular (analog) phone line. VoIP converts your voice into a digital signal for transmission. VoIP services are provided by the Telecommunications (Telecom) team in Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) in Information Technology Services (ITS).

Services:

  • Microsoft Teams Phone as the University’s main VoIP solution for making and receiving phone calls.

Features:

  • Teleconference and videoconference calls
  • Access to voice messages via email
  • Ability to use computer with a headset instead of a physical phone

   

Help - Free computer icons   Getting Started:

   

Question mark - Free communications icons   Get Help:

  • To move, add, change or delete something for Teams Phone: Get Help (where does this linked to?)
  • For help with a VoIP , contact voipsupport@utoronto.ca or call 416-978-VOIP (8647)
  • VoIP FAQ

Secure File Transfer Service (UTsend)

Product overview - Free business icons   Overview and Key Features:

UTsend is a secure file transfer service used for sharing content with internal or external users. All files are encrypted, authenticated, and virus-scanned.

U of T faculty, librarians, and staff can upload files and send file request links through UTsend. Email (e.g., Microsoft Outlook) may be used for general communication but it is not encrypted and should not be used for sharing or storing L4 data. Recipients will receive UTsend notifications via email but all file transfers will occur through the UTsend website.

   

Help - Free computer icons   Getting Started:

UTsend can be accessed using your UTORID at: https://send.utoronto.ca/

You can send a file to someone via UTsend by “dropping off” that file into the application. Downloading a file that someone else has sent to you is referred to as a file “pick up”.

UTsend hosts files for 14 days so this service is not suitable for long-term storage. Please keep a downloaded copy of any files transmitted via UTsend in another appropriate location for your own records.

 

Question mark - Free communications icons   Get Help:

For assistance with UTsend, open a ticket on the Enterprise Service Centre

Emergency Notification System (UTalert)

""   Overview and Key Features:

UTalert is a service that allows the University to quickly send important messages via email, SMS text and mobile app push notifications. UTalert complements other University communications channels, such as websites and social media.

All current members of the University community are automatically subscribed to the system for University-issued mass notifications using their official U of T email address.

 

Help - Free computer icons   Getting Started:

The University will use the UTalert system to send you messages via email, SMS text, or mobile app push notification.

UTalert texts will come from the phone number 855-756-1140. Creating a contact on your phone for this number called “UTalert” may make it easier to identify text notifications.

The UTalert website provides the ability to customize your notification options.

 

Question mark - Free communications icons   Get Help:

Email Services

""   Overview and Key Features:

With the new UTmail+, you get all the email features you know and rely on plus increased functionality. Automatically organize your inbox and share documents by connecting to Microsoft 365’s OneDrive. You can connect from anywhere: log in to Outlook/UTmail+ online or download the Outlook desktop and mobile apps to access your email from any device.

""   Getting Started:

  • Web Version

To access the Outlook (UTmail+) Web interface, sign in to your work account at mail.utoronto.ca. For the first time, the page will prompt you for UTORid confirmation.

  • Desktop Version

A downloadable version of Outlook is included to the Microsoft 365 package and available for University of Toronto-owned computers under the Microsoft Campus License Agreement.

""   Get Help:

If you’re looking to get started or have any questions or concerns, we recommend beginning by reviewing the relevant resources:

Recommended External Resources

Support Level: Advanced support available

Cloud Storage Services (OneDrive)

Product overview - Free business icons   Overview and Key Features:

Using OneDrive, you can securely store all your personal files in one place, easily share them with your colleagues and access them from any device.

With OneDrive, you can also:

  • Control the sharing rights on your documents and access files remotely.
  • Eliminate the need to send files to yourself by email: you no longer need to use your inbox for document storage.
  • Better collaborate with colleagues by editing and sending changes to OneDrive email attachments in real time through UTmail+. There is no need to collate multiple recipients’ edits and comments.
  • Keep track of document comments and edits in one place, not across multiple copies of a document.

   

Help - Free computer icons   Getting Started:

  • Web Version

To access the OneDrive Web interface, sign in to your UTmail+ account (Outlook). Then, click on the application launcher (the waffle icon in the top left corner) and select OneDrive

  • Desktop Version

Faculty members, librarians, and administrative staff with at least a 20 per cent appointment can download and install OneDrive on up to five personal devices the Office home page.

   

Question mark - Free communications icons   Get Help:

Recommended External Resources:

Support Level: Basic support only

Diagramming and Visualization Tools (MS Visio)

Product overview - Free business icons   Overview and Key Features:

Microsoft Visio is a diagramming tool that is part of the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software. It is primarily used for creating various types of diagrams, such as flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, and more. Visio provides a user-friendly interface with a wide range of shapes, templates, and tools to help users visualize and communicate complex information effectively.

Key features of Microsoft Visio include:

  • Templates and Shapes: Visio comes with a large library of templates and shapes that cater to different types of diagrams and industries. This makes it easy to start creating diagrams without having to design everything from scratch.
  • Customizable Diagrams: Users can customize shapes, lines, colours, and other elements to create diagrams that suit their specific needs. This flexibility allows for the creation of professional-looking diagrams.
  • Export and Integration: Diagrams created in Visio can be exported in various formats, including PDF, image files, and even web pages. This makes it easy to share diagrams with people who may not have Visio installed.

   

Help - Free computer icons   Getting Started:

  • UTmail+ Home
  • Log in to your online Outlook/UTmail+ account and click on the waffle in the top left corner. Select the Visio tool.
  • Visio web-based version is available for Faculty, Staff and Students.

If the full version of Visio is required it must be purchased through the License Software Office at uSource.

 

Collaboration and Communication Platform (MS Teams)

Product overview - Free business icons   Overview and Key Features:

Microsoft Teams is a chat-based collaborative workspace that brings together people, content and conversations. With Teams, channels of colleagues can create content while collaborating with one another at the same time. Users can share files through Teams both internally and externally, and access their team files on SharePoint.

The powerful chat functionality of Teams enables instant text, audio, and video communication among university colleagues. It integrates Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, offering a collaborative experience.

 

Help - Free computer icons   Getting Started:

Desktop Version

While Microsoft Teams is available as a web app, the Teams desktop client is recommended for a more robust experience. The desktop version offers better integration with Microsoft 365, efficient resource use, and enhanced notifications.

 

Question mark - Free communications icons   Get Help:                    

If you’re looking to get started or have any questions or concerns, we recommend beginning by reviewing the relevant resources:

Report a security incident to the Security Team

Support Level: Basic support only