Teams Discussion Forums

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Did you know that the Members’ Services Team runs discussion forums on Teams for Caseworkers and those who have a management role in an MP’s office?

The Members’ Office Management Forum has a weekly meeting at 11:00 every Wednesday which is full of useful information and gives the opportunity to raise queries with representatives from the Parliamentary Digital Service, the Parliamentary Security Department, the Human Resources team, the House of Commons Library, the Vote Office and more. There are weekly guest speakers, including regular visits from IPSA. It also has a text chat facility for when you have quick questions to ask.

The Caseworker Discussion Forum hosts a monthly All-Staff Q&A which you can sign up for on ACT, and the text chat is always active.

If you would like to be added to either (or both) of these forums, please email MST@parliament.uk from your parliamentary network account, stating which MP you work for and your role in the office.

PDS Summer Training Sessions

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DateTopicHow to sign up
Thursday 28 July 2pm
Cyber Security Briefing essential to understanding the risks and mitigations around cyber security for us all, both in and out of workRegistration form for webinar here
Friday 29 July 10amIntroduction to Microsoft Teamstips on using Teams as a tool to organise and communicate. Learn about chats, channels, calendar, calls and filesRegistration form for webinar here
Tuesday 2 August 11amAccessibility features demonstration from Microsoft Microsoft are running a session on how to use the inbuilt accessibility features on your Windows device and Microsoft365 applicationsEmail the Digital Service Accessibility Champions
Thursday 4 August 2pmIntroduction to SharePointtips on how to use SharePoint as a tool for creating, saving and collaborating on shared documentsRegistration form for webinar here

Friday 5 August 10amIntroduction to OneDrivetips on how to use OneDrive as a tool for individual work, document storage and remote access to personal filesRegistration form for webinar here
Thursday 11 August 2pmUsing Microsoft Outlook effectivelytips for managing your mailbox and getting the best out of available featuresRegistration form for webinar here
Friday 12 August 10amMicrosoft Plannerhow to use Planner to work collaboratively and manage team tasks, projects and work streams
Registration form for webinar here
Thursday 18 August 2pmIntroduction to Microsoft Teams tips on using Teams as a tool to organise and communicate. Learn about chats, channels, calendar, calls and filesSign up for webinar here
Friday 19 August 10amCyber Security Briefingessential to understanding the risks and mitigations around cyber security for us all, both in and out of workRegistration form for webinar here
Thursday 25 August 2pmIntroduction to OneDrivetips on how to use OneDrive as a tool for individual work, document storage and remote access to personal filesRegistration form for webinar here
Friday 26 August 10amIntroduction to SharePointtips on how to use SharePoint as a tool for creating, saving and collaborating on shared documentsRegistration form for webinar here
Thursday 1 September 2pmMicrosoft Plannerhow to use Planner to work collaboratively and manage team tasks, projects and work streamsRegistration form for webinar here
Friday 2 September 10amUsing Microsoft Outlook effectivelytips for managing your mailbox and getting the best out of available featuresRegistration form for webinar here

Mailbox Full?

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Your mailboxes have a maximum size limit of 80gb. If you go over this, then you will no longer be able to receive incoming messages and the senders will get bounce messages.

To prevent this from happening, PDS is asking MPs and their staff to either delete or archive old messages. If you choose to archive them, then they will still be accessible to you; the archive size is unlimited.

To see how much of your mailbox you have used, right-click on your inbox folder and select ‘properties.

When the properties box appears, click on ‘folder size’ and then wait a few moments to calculate it. Look at the total size including subfolders and divide it by 1,000,000 to get the size in gb.

Even if you are not nearing the 80gb limit, it is good practice to delete unwanted emails or archive older ones that you may wish to refer to in future – it makes searching your inbox quicker, and archived emails take up less space. If you get into the habit of regular housekeeping – deleting or archiving emails as you go along – it makes your inbox much easier to manage, so go on, give it a go!

Virtual IT Coaching Sessions for MPs’ Staff

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Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

PDS are offering virtual IT coaching sessions to MPs’ staff

 

PDS local engagement officers would normally travel to visit constituencies to assist MPs and their staff with training and general IT concerns but during the Covid 19 crisis their focus has changed to offer this support remotely. 

 

You can now book a remote coaching session on a variety subjects including: Cyber Security, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive and OneNote. Sessions are open to all, you can book for your team or take advantage of a 1-2-1 coaching session. Sessions last 45 minutes and are delivered at your own pace, no previous technical knowledge is required. 

 

To find out more and book a session click here:

Virtual Regional Roadshows

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The extremely popular regional roadshows were suspended because of COVID-19.  However, worry not, for the Customer Team has taken them online instead.

Rather than full day events, they have been broken down into 90-minute sessions, giving you a chance to learn about the range of services available, to influence future service provision and to share experience and knowledge with other staff working in your Region.

For full details, please go to the intranet page here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/business-news/news-current-issues/events/regional-constituency-events/

The current schedule is:

  • North East – Tuesday 30 June 2020
  • West Midlands – Tuesday 14 July 2020
  • Wales – Tuesday 28 July 2020
  • South West – Tuesday 4 August 2020
  • East – Tuesday 18 August 2020
  • London – Tuesday 25 August 2020
  • East Midlands – Tuesday 1 September 2020

More dates will be added later.

NEW: Coronavirus Hub on the intranet

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There is no longer  a Coronavirus Hub on the parliamentary intranet.

It contains everything you need to know about Parliament’s response to coronavirus, including how to work remotely, what services are available and how access has been affected.  It is for Members of  both Houses, staff in the Lords, Commons and PDS and people who work for MPs and Members of the House of Lords.

 

Remote working and cyber-security

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Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

Whilst most people are now working remotely, it’s tempting to add lots of new apps to your computers and devices.

Please be aware that must not download any apps or software onto Parliamentary devices without seeking advice and permission from PDS first.

Any software that conflicts with security systems or with the safe operation of parliamentary equipment will be removed by PDS.

Please read the guidance here:

Introducing the new Director of the Parliamentary Digital Service

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Heading into the future without forgetting the past – A Parliamentary Digital Service Blog Post

2017 has included some unexpected things for the PDS. In her first week, Tracey Jessup talks about becoming the new Director, what PDS has achieved so far and what the future holds.

Read more at the Parliamentary Digital Service Blog: https://pds.blog.parliament.uk/2017/09/15/heading-into-the-future-without-forgetting-the-past/