Chat to colleagues online, with Office Communicator
Have instant discussions with colleagues and reduce the need for meetings and emails.
Office Communicator is not available on student PCs.
To fire a message to a colleague simply select the relevant contact, check that their status is 'available', type a message into the box and hit return... your message will instantly appear on their screen.
Instant Messaging with Office Communicator is available on all staff managed desktops and anywhere with an internet connection, so you can keep in touch even when you're off campus.*
You can also use it to transfer files and have voice conversations.
Try it now:
- Login to https://cwa.connect.kent.ac.uk and enter your username in this format: ukc\abc1 (replacing abc1 with your username)
- For more advanced functionality, install Office Communicator on your staff PC by following the instructions below. Contact Helpdesk if you'd like to have a test web chat after installation.
Show all
|Staff Managed Desktop PCs
How to check whether your PC is a Staff Managed Desktop: when you first turn the PC on, the initial login screen will say Staff Managed Desktop.
- Click the Start button, then select Set Program Access and Defaults, Add New Programs.
- Scroll to Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2..., click to select it and click Add.
- Ensure you have closed any copies of Outlook, ActiveSync or any existing Communicator versions, and Click OK to the warning.
- When the installation completes, click OK.
- To run Office Communicator, click the Start button, then select All Programs, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2.
Other University-owned PCs
To use Office Communicator, you will need to use a University-owned PC, or to have a PC with a license for either:
- Microsoft Office 2007 Professional Plus
- Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise.
To install Office Communicator, you need to be connected to the Kent network. From off campus you can use the VPN service. If you have any problems, contact the Helpdesk:
- Install the client from the following location, following the process on screen:
\\ad.kent.ac.uk\dfs\Install\Microsoft\Office Communicator 2007\Communicator R2.msi
Firefox users: instead of clicking on the link above, copy and paste it into the address bar of a new tab, then hit enter. - To run Office Communicator, click the Start button, then select All Programs, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2.
Apple Macs
To use Office Communicator on an Apple Mac, you will need to download and install Microsoft Messenger for Mac
Once installed, run the program and sign in with:
- your full Kent email address;
- your Kent IT account username in the format UKC\abc1 (replacing abc1 with your own username);
- your Kent IT account password.
Access from a web browser
Web access to Office Communicator is available and compatible with most web browsers. It offers basic functionality.
Access the web version of Office Communicator: login using this format: ukc\abc1 (replacing abc1 with your Kent IT account username).
Your privacy
Unless you are using the Windows 7 Staff Managed Desktop, Communicator will display your current availability to all Communicator users at Kent (not just those in your contacts). You can change your status to Appear Offline by following the instructions in the Using Office Communicator IT guide for staff (pdf).
Find out more
If you want to use Office Communicator to hold video or audio conferences you will need the following equipment:
Equipment for video conferencing
A 'plug and play' webcam (one that does not require installing software). The 'Labtec 3300' is tried and tested for use on Staff Managed Desktops (do not install the software provided on CD, it works automatically). You also need headphones with built-in microphone (they may be included with the webcam).
Equipment for audio conferencing
Headphones with built-in microphone.
* Note: If you have a Mac with a new install of Messenger for Mac 7.0.2 (not upgraded from a previous version), off campus access will not work. This problem is being investigated.