Groupwise is an e-mail and calendar service that has been provided to the university for many years. With its constant strides to be innovated and up to date, some are upset and others excited to hear the news that Groupwise will soon be gone for good.
Nicole DeFriez, IT project coordinator, worked closely with Groupwise on the switch about to be made.
“Gmail is going to be the new Groupwise,” DeFriez said. “A lot of people are really excited about this. Gmail has new features, Mac accessibility, easy sync, all access all the time, and apps.”
Groupwise is currently the main form of e-mail and calendaring for all WSU employees and faculty. Although the exact date of the change has not been announced, Gmail has been announced as the new calendar and e-mail system that will be used for all of Weber State University.
WSU President Ann Millner might be one of the most productive people on campus. Her executive assistant, JoAnne Robinson, helps her keep track of and maintain everything she has going on. This makes Groupwise an important part of her job.
“The only thing I’m worried about (for the Gmail program) is it might not have a Busy Search,” Robinson said. “That would make my life really difficult.”
Busy Search is an application on Groupwise that lets users instantly see other Groupwise calendars’ busy and available times.
Gmail will have a few new features. Mobile accessibility will be available without having to create an account, unlike with Groupwise. Users will not have to be on a secure site to access any or all of their information. There is an automatic sync and an adjustable sync feature. The users will now have complete control and access to all the settings they wish to use. Google Docs, sites and many other features will come standard to lighten the load and make the process quicker.
The change will affect students who are currently employed at WSU, but Devon Trujillo, a student worker for WSU Academic Affairs, said he will like the change.
“I would be happy with Gmail,” Trujillo said. “I have had a lot of experience with Gmail opposed from Groupwise, and it would make it easier to control.”
