Working as a team amidst disruption at the University of South Florida
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Microsoft Teams
- Outlook
Tech Stack
- Microsoft Teams
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Digital Expertise
- Customer Satisfaction
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms
Applicable Industries
- Education
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
Use Cases
- Remote Collaboration
- Remote Control
- Remote Patient Monitoring
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
The University of South Florida (USF) is a large educational institution with multiple campuses located in Tampa, Sarasota-Manatee, and St. Petersburg. It is a significant player in higher education in the United States, with a student body of approximately 56,000 students. USF is known for its diverse range of programs and its commitment to innovation in education. The university also includes USF Health, which is dedicated to training the next generation of healthcare professionals. As a large corporate entity, USF employs over 10,000 staff members, making it a substantial organization in terms of both size and influence. The university is committed to providing high-quality education and has been proactive in adopting new technologies to enhance learning experiences.
The Challenge
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, educational institutions worldwide faced unprecedented challenges. The University of South Florida (USF) was no exception, as it had to quickly adapt to the new reality of remote learning and collaboration. The university, with its multiple campuses and a large student body, needed a solution that could facilitate seamless communication and learning without compromising the quality of education. USF had already been in the process of transitioning to a unified technology environment, but the pandemic accelerated this need. The challenge was not only to continue educational activities but also to ensure the safety and health of students and faculty, particularly in the medical field where hands-on training is crucial.
The Solution
To address the challenges posed by the pandemic, USF turned to Microsoft Teams as a comprehensive solution for remote learning and collaboration. The platform allowed the university to create a virtual classroom environment that was both flexible and robust, meeting the needs of its diverse student body. Microsoft Teams enabled asynchronous learning through pre-recorded videos and synchronous sessions where faculty could engage with students in real-time discussions. This approach was particularly beneficial for USF Health, where medical education required adaptation to a virtual format without losing the essence of hands-on training. Additionally, USF implemented a telehealth solution using Microsoft Teams, allowing medical faculty and students to continue patient interactions remotely. This rapid deployment was achieved in just a few days, demonstrating the university's agility and commitment to maintaining educational standards.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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