Remote Workforce FAQs

Remote Workforce – Frequently Asked Questions

A number of inquiries have been made regarding Remote Workforce (ie. working from home) in light of the recent school closure due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. The SEEM Technology Department (SEEM IT) is actively revisiting and enhancing the current infrastructure of our network to meet the needs of a remote workforce environment. (Link)

  1. Where can I find out more about remote workforce/remote access available at SEEM Collaborative?
    Answer: See Remote Workforce Readiness and Deployment Plan or Remote Access Devices for staff and students published by SEEM IT.
  1. I want to start using ZOOM videoconferencing. How do I get a SEEM ZOOM account and how much does it cost?
    • Answer: Each staff needs to sign-up at zoom.us using their SEEM Collaborative email and then download and install Zoom on their computer. Zoom is available for Windows, MAC, and Chromebooks (via extension).
    • Zoom is currently FREE. Zoom CEO announced FREE ACCESS to Zoom videoconferencing for all educational organizations (during COVID-19 crisis period). Free means the 40-minute time limit has been removed
    • See tips on Using Zoom
  1. What is the difference between VPN and Remote Desktop?
    • Answer: VPN is simply an Internet-based connection to your school network. VPNs connections are secure (sometimes called an encrypted tunnel) or Virtual Private Network.
    • Remote Desktop is a program in Windows that allows you to remotely view and login to your desktop PC as if you are physically sitting in front of it. (It is not secure unless you connect using a VPN first).
  1. What type of remote access and SEEM collaboration tools are available to me now?
    • Answer: In addition to SEEM Technology VPN and Remote Desktop services, SEEM employees have access to:
      • Zoom video conferencing (see above)
      • Google Hangouts Meet is a video communication service part of GSuite for Education. It is one of two apps that constitute the new version of Google Hangouts, the other being Google Hangouts Chat. The classic version called Google Hangouts was retired October 2019.
      • Google Classroom – Google Classroom is a free web service in GSuite for creating, distributing and grading assignments in a paperless environment.
  1. How do I get setup for so I can work from home/remotely?
    • Answer: For VPN and Remote Desktop Services, you will first need to submit a SEEM Helpdesk ticket or send an email to seemhelpdesk@seemcollaborative.org.
    • For access to Zoom, simple visit https://zoom.us/signup and create an account.
    • For Google Hangouts Meet or Google Classroom, its already part of G Suite.
  1. What is the process to take home a Laptop, Chromebook or iPad for Staff and Students?