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Traveling

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Traveler's Skill Pack

Updated May 1, 2002

Questions to ask yourself before you leave

Will you need to access your files at work while you are gone?

Files on the network can be accessed over the Internet. If you think you might need a file while traveling, before you leave save it on the Business School network file servers on the U:, S; R:\Courses, etc. Files saved in the My Documents folder on Windows2000/XP school computers automatically save to the U: drive. You can then FTP to the server, and copy the file to your local computer for editing. You can FTP it back to the Business School server as well. See the Accessing Your Files with FTP topic below.

Will you need to Access Your E-Mail?

Webmail is the easiest way to access your Business School e-mail over the Internet in a web browser. See Using Webmail in the Using Our E-Mail System Module.

Will you need to work on your Email offline (on a plane, to reduce international long distance call time, etc.)? If so, see Beyond Webmail: Using Outlook 2000 Remotely. Outlook 2000 allows offline use but requires installation, configuration, and synchronization, which is fastest when done at the Business School before you leave. Plan no less than a week if you will need Helpdesk assistance in setting this up on a laptop. See Using Webmail and Beyond Webmail: Using Outlook 2000 Remotely in our Using Our E-Mail System module.

Will You Be Traveling with A Laptop?

If you need to borrow a laptop from the Helpdesk, please note there is a minimum 72 hour notice. See the section on Borrowing a Laptop below.

Will you need to Access the Internet with Your Laptop?

If you are using a modem, you will need to arrange for funding for Merit Global Services National/International dial-in through the Business School Computing Services office can arrange this with the ITCS Accounts office for you. You may need to find and setup a dial up number for your location. Let the Helpdesk know where you are going in advance. Be sure you know How to Dial In Remotely, Finding Alternative Dial up Numbers and setting up a Dialup Icon.

If your host provides access to their Ethernet or wireless network, see If Your Host Offers High Speed Internet Access below.

Are You Traveling Internationally?

Most laptops handle current conversion, but you may need a power plug and/or telephone adaptor. Adapters for a wide range of countries are available from the Computing Services office. Let them know your destination. Please note for some countries they may need to be ordered.

Are You Prepared for Emergencies?

Print out the current assistance phone number list Who to Call for Assistance.
Print out a current list of alternative dial-in phone numbers for your location from the web and pack with your laptop.
Fully charge your laptop battery, as well as your extra battery if you have one.
Carry operating system and software installation CDs if you have the space.
Be sure you have all cables, cords, and adapters packed.
If your laptop has removable drives, make sure you have both your CD bay and your floppy bay packed.

When You First Make Your Travel Plans

Successful travel involves preparing in advance and leaving with an understanding of the tools available to you and how to use them.

Rules for Success

1. Plan for your computing equipment in advance!

You may need a laptop, power plug adaptor, telephone cord and adaptor, Ethernet cable, wireless card, digital camera, or other related equipment. We recommend you make your requests at least a week in advance, and no later than 72 hours in advance.

Make an appointment with Helpdesk staff to be sure you can successfully access the Internet, your email and your files while traveling. Check with our office in advance so you are not without service during your trip.

If you plan to use Outlook offline, be sure to configure and then synchronize at the school, or over another high speed connection prior to departure.

2. Plan to arrange account access in advance!

When traveling nationally or internationally, you can dial long-distance into your regular number (adding the proper phone codes, etc.), or you may wish to arrange for Merit Global Service (MGS) which provides national and/or international dial-in service outside of Michigan.

The Business School Computing Services office will need to assist you with arranging for MGS if this service is to be funded from a Business School account. (You may need to provide a departmental account number.) You can alternatively self-fund your account for this service for personal use and travel with the ITCS Accounts office (734.764.8000). More information and related links are on the National and International Dial-In page. Account arrangements need to be done prior to departure. Plan a minimum of a week turn around time between various departments involved.

3. Check your access and practice with the equipment and tools you will rely upon before you leave.

You will want to plan time for:

Learning procedures and methods, and arranging for an appointment for assistance and instruction if necessary
Practice and test remote access tools remotely at home before departure, and leave time to correct any issues that may arise.

Don't wait until the departure crunch to check the above. It is much easier to be helped while you are here in person.

Borrowing a Laptop

Computing Services will loan the following items to Business School faculty and staff (subject to availability):

Windows XP Laptops
Plug Adaptors
Phone Jack Adaptors
Wireless and/or Ethernet Cards

If you need to request a laptop from the Helpdesk, plan ahead (minimum 72 hour request time), and set up an appointment to go over what you need to know with a Helpdesk staff member. We suggest working with our staff no later than a week prior to your departure.

When making your request you will need to provide your uniqname, your location, and any special software needed. By default, your laptop comes setup with Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer Web Browser, and FTP software. Our staff will configure dial-in number(s) for you if you provide the location(s) that you need at the time of the request.

There is a very high demand for laptops during MAP and IMAP in the spring (February-April). Plan your needs to avoid this time or make your request well in advance (months or weeks instead of days!) so you have time to make alternative arrangements if a laptop is unavailable for loan.

Please return the laptop promptly by the date due in order to preserve the integrity of your loan privileges, and out of consideration for the person scheduled and waiting to borrow it after you. If you do need it longer, don't assume it is available - check with the Helpdesk to see if it is possible to extend the loan without affecting others.

How To Dial In Remotely

You will need:

A computer with modem, configured for UM dial-in
A phone cable and active phone line
Subscription to Dial-In Services through ITCS
Your uniqname and ITCS password
You may need to know how to add local numbers to dial in from other locations.

Connect your phone line to your modem and a phone jack. Click on the Dialup icon for the location you wish to use. Login with your uniqname@umich.edu and your ITCS password (not your Business School password).

You will have full Internet access and can use your web browser, FTP software, telnet client or other Internet-based software.

To disconnect, click on the network icon in your system tray and choose Disconnect. (You will automatically be disconnected if the system isn't used for a period of time.)

Related Topics: See the Accessing the Internet though UM module.

Accessing Your Network Files When Traveling Using FTP

Files on the network can be accessed over the Internet using FTP.

If you think you might need a file while traveling, save the file on the Business School network file servers on the U: or S: drive location while at work. (Files saved in the My Documents folder on Windows2000/XP school computers automatically save to the U: drive.)

You can then connect to the server over the Internet from any location in the world, copy the file to your local computer for editing, printing, etc. and copy the file back to the Business School server using FTP.

FTP is a very efficient and fast method of transferring big files and is much faster to download than an e-mail attachment of the same file. This feature is especially important when paying for international Internet connections that can be expensive and slow.

For more detailed instructions about FTP, see iMpact's FTP section.

Related Topics:

How to FTP to Our Network (in the Using Our E-mail System module)
How to Navigate Drives and Folders on our Network (in the Using Our E-mail System module)

Accessing Your E-Mail

Webmail is the easiest way to access your Business School e-mail over the Internet.

Connect to the Internet. In your web browser go to: http://webmail.bus.umich.edu

On the main webpage, log in with your uniqname and press Enter. You will then be prompted to log into the Exchange Webuser Server - enter your uniqname and Business School password in the "Enter Network Password" box.

Use this service:

Anywhere Outside the Business School (home, travel, campus, etc.)
From a co-worker's computer within the Business School
To easily access another Outlook account you have rights to open without creating a profile for that account.

The Web version works a little differently than the full version of Outlook. There will be some tasks you can't do easily over the web, like drop and drag messages between folders. It is most useful for checking your e-mail and replying, sending and forwarding messages, as well as checking your calendar and contacts.

Need Offline Use?

If you regularly need to work on your Email for an extended periods of time, it can get expensive to stay connected to the Internet required for web access. You may also wish to work in places where you don't have an Internet connection. Outlook 2000 allows offline use but requires installation, configuration, and synchronization, which is fastest when done the first time at the Business School using an Ethernet connection. See Beyond Webmail: Using Outlook 2000 Remotely.

Related Topics:

Using Webmail in our Using Our E-Mail System module.
Beyond Webmail: Using Outlook 2000 Remotely in our Using Our E-Mail System module.
For instructions on how to use Webmail, see the Faculty and Staff E-mail page in the Technology site.

If Your Host Offers High Speed Internet Access

If you are traveling to a location with Ethernet and/or Wireless access, please arrange for a card from the Helpdesk when you request your laptop.

You will need to configure the card driver according to the specifications of your host environment - please obtain their settings in advance for our staff to assist you. You may need to obtain the assistance of your host's IT staff who are familiar with their own environment.

Traveler's Skill Pack

On this page

See Also:

Questions to ask yourself before you leave

Rules for Success