Technology Resources for Employees
Information Technology Services is here to power your career with fast, reliable internet, modern software and apps and professional technical support. The Get Started section is filled with tasks and information primarily for new employees that should be reviewed shortly after joining Iowa State. Items in the Apps and Tools section will help you get your work done effectively. Lastly, the Additional Resources section contains even more technology available to help support your work.
Get Started
Start here to get your essential technology set up and secured.
Your Network Identification, or Net-ID, is the group of characters before the "@" sign of your Iowa State email address. It is different than your University ID, which is the nine-digit number listed on the front of your ISUCard.
Your Net-ID is important because it serves as your unique identifier during your time at Iowa State. In fact, many Iowa State accounts to which employees have free access automatically recognize Iowa State Net-IDs as login credentials.
Your Net-ID may have been created already, but if not, you can set it up now.
CREATE YOUR NET-ID NOW
- Go to asw.iastate.edu
- Click on "Need to register for a Net-ID?" under the box labeled Register
- Enter the required information and click Next
- You can keep the suggested Net-ID or change it here if you'd prefer
- Set your password. Be sure to follow the password standards described on the page.
- Click Accept and then click Register
- NOTE: the Net-ID registration may take a few minutes to process. If you encounter a system error at this point, please contact the IT Solution Center.
Campus Internet and NetReg
Iowa State University has two primary internet networks: eduroam (pronounced ed-u-roam) and IASTATE. You’ll connect to these networks differently depending on your device and if you’re using Wi-Fi (wireless) or ethernet (wired). When using Wi-Fi, you should always attempt to connect to eduroam first, regardless of your device. Just sign on with your full Iowa State email address (Net-ID@iastate.edu) and password.
More than 10,000 eduroam hotspots are available at universities, research centers and education institutions in more than 100 territories around the world. You can use your Iowa State login information when visiting other institutions with an eduroam network to connect quickly and securely.
If you are joining the IASTATE network, you will need to register your device. This is necessary so it can connect to the internet. The process is called NetReg. As a reminder, the eduroam network should be your go-to network.
Additional Services
If your department needs additional wired internet options, review this page on wired data services in the IT Portal. You can request services right in the IT Portal. If you don't see the 'Request Now!' section on the right side, be sure you're logged in.
Okta is the name of your Iowa State Sign On Dashboard and the easiest way to log into your most-used and favorite applications (4,700+ and counting).
Okta is a “single sign-on” solution, meaning that once you sign into Okta, you can access other Iowa State applications (like your email or Workday) with just one click, like using a master key. Logging into accounts this way is much more secure than saving login information in your internet browser. Plus, you only have to remember one password rather than typing in your login credentials for each website.
Optional Step
Learn how to add more applications and organize your dashboard with sections.
Workday is Iowa State’s cloud-based software for performing human resources, finance and payroll business processes. Iowa State’s implementation of Workday is overseen by the university’s WorkCyte program that exists to promote the modernization of enterprise systems and software. WorkCyte Phase I project activities involve continuous improvement efforts directed at the Workday HCM, Finance, Payroll and Planning software. The WorkCyte Phase II project brings the Workday Student and Receivables software to Iowa State, beginning 2023.
Iowa State’s email platform for employees is Microsoft Outlook. Your Outlook account was automatically created after you received your Net-ID, and so your Iowa State email address is: [Your Net-ID]@iastate.edu. Your Outlook account can be accessed in your computer browser through the Sign On Dashboard and added to an email app on your phone, tablet or computer.
Want to learn more about how Outlook works? Check out these resources from Microsoft.
AccessPlus is a secure and confidential campus information system used for doing official university business. It primarily serves as a student information system, allowing students to register for classes, pay their university bill and more. Your use of AccessPlus will vary depending on your job duties. At the very least, you can use AccessPlus to complete the following tasks:
- Sign up for a Staff Charge Plan for dining on campus
- Add funds to your CyCash account to make small purchases at vending machines, select campus cafes and more
- Renew parking permits
- View and pay your university bill for any campus charges
- Set up ISU Alert to be notified of campus emergencies
You can log into your AccessPlus account through your Okta dashboard.
Iowa State’s virtual private network provides access to campus network services from any computer, on or off campus. VPN enables users to log into the Iowa State network safely and securely. Examples of services that require use of the VPN include remote desktop, ADIN and MyFiles. VPN is typically not required when connecting to services through Okta. For example, applications like Outlook, Webex, Office 365, CyBox, Workday and Jira can all be accessed through web applications in Okta without the use of Iowa State's VPN.
To ensure you don't experience unexpected access issues, we encourage you to reach out to your local IT support to determine if VPN access is required for your specific application(s).
Three telephone services are available to staff:
Desk (physical) phone
Software-based phone
Cell phone
Desk Phone
Iowa State uses the Cisco 8800 Series for desk phones. To order a desk phone, submit a request. Refer to these instructions to get started using your desk phone.
Softphone
A softphone uses computer software to make calls. A headset is often used to provide better sound quality. Learn more and request a softphone by completing this form.
Cell Phone
Depending on your position and work responsibilities, a cell phone may be provided. Learn more about contracted cellular services.
Additional Phone Services
Other phone services are also available, including conference phones and cordless phones. Learn more about phone services in the IT Portal.
If you run into technology problems, you have multiple ways of seeking assistance:
Self-service through the IT Portal
Using the knowledge base in the IT Portal allows you to easily search the issue you are having to find possible solutions. For example, you can find instructions for how to join a Webex videoconference, add CyCash to your account, and set up email forwarding. You can access the IT Portal by clicking the "ISU Portal" tile on your Okta dashboard and then select Information Technology from the dropdown menu in the upper left corner.
Assistance from the IT Solution Center
The IT Solution Center, located on the first floor of Parks Library, is your on-campus resource for in-person technology assistance. The IT Solution Center is open seven days a week, except for university holidays. Visit the Get Help page for more information about hours of operation and other support options.
You can request help from the IT Solution Center though the Get Help option in the IT Portal. You can also contact the IT Solution Center by calling 515-294-4000 or emailing solution@iastate.edu.
Local IT and CorePlus
Many campus departments and offices have a team of dedicated IT professionals to support the specific needs of the department. For offices that don't have a dedicated IT team, ITS supports these campus customers through our CorePlus program. Check with your supervisor to determine if your department has a dedicated IT team or if you're a CorePlus customer. Some local IT teams have dedicated websites, which can be viewed on the ITS College and Unit IT Support web page.
Apps and Tools
Learn about all the essential software you have access to as an Iowa State employee to complete your work.
All Iowa State employees have access to Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office 365 products at no additional cost.
The Microsoft Office 365 set of products can be downloaded to your device or used as a web application.
Popular Microsoft Office 365 applications available to Iowa State employees include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, OneNote and Teams.
Action Items
- Download the desktop applications from Software Center (Windows) or Self Service (Mac)
There are two main file storage services for employees: CyBox and Microsoft OneDrive. Both storage applications are cloud-based and accessible through your Sign On Dashboard, your desktop computer and your smartphone.
Select an option to fit your needs
Both services offer collaboration features with colleagues both in and outside Iowa State, version control, web browser viewing and editing, local intelligent synchronization, and the ability to mark files/folders for offline access. Both are valuable services and the choice is ultimately up to you!
Primary differences include the following:
Maximum file size: CyBox allows up to 50 GB per file whereas OneDrive allows up to 250 GB per file.
System integration: CyBox requires installation of Box Edit and Box Drive for full desktop editing and syncing whereas OneDrive is natively integrated into all Microsoft applications (Office and Teams) and Windows.
FTP access: CyBox offers FTP access whereas OneDrive does not.
Information Technology Services recommends two videoconferencing options for Iowa State employees: Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex.
Both applications allow participants to record meetings, share your screen, view meeting participants, type comments or questions in a chat, raise hands and use breakout rooms. Both applications integrate with Microsoft Outlook to make scheduling meetings an easy task.
Microsoft Teams supports videoconferencing for virtual meetings. With Teams, meeting hosts can enable live captions as well as transcripts. Users are notified via Teams chat when their recorded meeting is available in the OneDrive web app shortly after the meeting concludes. Learn how to access Teams in the IT Portal.
Cisco Webex supports videoconferencing for virtual meetings as well as webinar-type events with panelists. With Webex, meeting hosts can enable transcripts and offer interactive elements like a poll. Users are notified by email when their recorded meeting is available in the Webex web app shortly after the meeting concludes. Learn how to access Webex in the IT Portal.
Zoom Basic is also available for Iowa State employees. A Zoom Pro license can be requested through the IT Portal.
Additional Resources
Learn how to utilize other technologies available on campus.
The MyState app, created by student engineers and maintained by student developers, has many features useful for all employees on campus.
On the app, you can:
- Check CyRide bus routes, schedules and current bus locations
- View dining center, café and C-store hours and menus
- Find information about campus events
- View the campus map with the ability to pin things such as buildings, dining centers, outdoor Wi-Fi and more
- Stream 88.5 KURE, the student-run alternative music radio station in Ames
- Browse the library catalog and view outstanding loans, fees and requests
- View pictures from around campus with Photostream, submitted to photostream.iastate.edu
- And more
Download the app for free on your Android or iOS device by selecting the correct button (or search "MyState" in the Play or App Store).
Printing guidelines for employees may differ among units or departments. Employees printing from an ISU-owned device to an office printer should contact their local IT for connection set-up. If your area does not have local IT, you are likely supported by ITS CorePlus. Please contact your CorePlus coordinator or the ITS Endpoint Technologies team (via the IT Solution Center) for assistance in setting up in-office printing.
Creating barrier-free access to hardware and software falls under the broad area of digital accessibility.
Go to the CELT website to view resources for how to create accessible course content.
Digital Accessibility Lab
The Digital Accessibility Lab is a research lab on campus in Durham Center 116 studying the methods of Inclusive Design and disability related to the design and use of digital products. The lab has many different assistive technologies.
- Barrier-free computing devices
- Adjustable height desks and easy-to-move seating
- Screen magnifiers
- Screen-reading software
- Text-to-speech software
- VR headsets
- Eye-tracking devices
- Wearable keyboards
- Switch controls
- Gaming hardware and software
Siteimprove
Many websites are difficult or impossible to use for some people because the website presents barriers to universal access.
Siteimprove is a single-platform, cloud-based accessibility tool to aid Iowa State’s web content editors, designers and developers meet compliance with various digital accessibility laws and policies for ISU-owned websites. Siteimprove is available to each Iowa State University owned website and will connect with Drupal and WordPress content management systems.
Learn more about Siteimprove and how to use it for your website.
Mass Email Campaigns
Campus departments, offices and student organizations can create email campaigns to be sent to the campus community. Customers can choose between four different layout templates, add multiple links and images and can receive an analytics report to see how well the email campaign performed. Learn more about requesting a mass email campaign in the IT Portal.
Just for Faculty / Instructors
Learn about the available learning tools for the classroom. See the additional items above for more help.
As an employee at Iowa State University, ITS is here to help you get setup with technology. From your email to your Sign On Dashboard, phone service and, of course, tech support - guided resources are available. Jump to the Get Started section of this web page. Be sure to also check out the other sections: Apps and Tools and Additional Resources.
If you are teaching in a General University Classroom, see what AV equipment is available in the classroom. Watch the corresponding video to learn more about your rooms AV technology and how it works
If you have other classroom issues and questions - classroom is too hot/too cold; missing or broken furniture - the Facilities, Planning and Management Room Scheduling web page has helpful FAQs. Check out the frequently asked questions.
- Instructors can request their class be automatically recorded and delivered to their class Panopto folder. Request here.
Canvas is the learning management system at Iowa State. Many different software tools integrate with Canvas, including Webex, StudyMate and Studio. Canvas can be accessed in your Sign On dashboard. Check out CELT's Canvas at ISU page for useful tools like start/end of semester checklists, how to navigate Canvas and how to use the mobile app.
CELT provides resources for instructors, faculty, staff, graduate students, and postdocs interested in teaching. They offer face-to-face workshops, longer-term teaching and learning circles on selected topics, and facilitation of teaching and learning communities. They have also developed online resources to support the teaching technology available at Iowa State. Check out CELT's website for all their resources.
The Top Hat learning platform is an interactive, cloud-based teaching platform that leverages student’s mobile devices to increase in-class engagement and get real-time feedback. Instructors can use Top Hat for attendance tracking, securely adminstering exams and quizzes directly on students' devices and engaging students with interactive content in class. CELT has put together more information on a dedicated Top Hat web page.
University Library manages Tech Lending, a service for enrolled students to borrow various technology equipment for free. Available equipment includes DSLR cameras, Apple and Dell laptops, graphing calculators, iPads, projectors, audio equipment and more. This resource can help support class assignments and support student organizations. Instructors are encouraged to contact library staff to ensure there is enough equipment for your purpose.
Grammarly is a digital writing support tool that provides powerful grammar, spelling and plagiarism checking. It integrates conveniently into many of the places where you do your writing, such as web browsers, allowing you to use it in Canvas, Google Docs, Office 365 and Outlook. All employees have free access to the premium version of Grammarly through your Okta dashboard.
Grammarly also offers a support knowledge base to help you learn how to get the most out of its premium features.
University Resources for Faculty and Staff