The UMS Blackboard service is being moved to a hosted service run by the Blackboard, Inc. This will not change how you use or interact with Blackboard, beyond a change in the URL. You will be supported by the same dedicated people you have been working with. The reason for the change is to improve aspects of the support of this vital system with round-the-clock monitoring and a dedicated service team. More on this below.
The Managed Hosting environment is now located the URL: bb.courses.maine.edu. | | Why has UMS:IT decided to make this change? After discussion with the campus-based Blackboard support folks, it was decided that this change would offer all of our users a higher level of service. This new system will be housed in state-of-the-art data centers run by Blackboard with dedicated teams of people monitoring the performance of the system and responding to performance and other issues they see around the clock. You will still call our help desk for IT services.
This decision was also made in consultation with the UMS Information Security Office to make sure Blackboard’s practices around security are in line with our expectations, including frequent off site backups. The contract holds them as liable as the UMS for keeping our student’s information private and secure and for protecting intellectual property.
We will continue to communicate with you via email and with announcements on the Blackboard Homepage. Future communications will not be as long and mostly to remind and inform you of the steps outlined in this message as they come upon us. | |
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