Jabber

Jabber is a collaboration tool that provides instant messaging, desktop sharing and real time presence information of work colleagues.

It is installed standard on all Flinders University computers.

It allows you to:

Quickly see the availability of work colleagues.
Instant message from your computer to other jabber users.
Make and receive calls on your desktop or laptop.
Share your desktop for training, document reviews etc.
Make and receive work calls from your mobile, video enabled desk phone, desktop or laptop. (With the softphone app)
Have a video enabled call with any student or third party outside the University. (With Jabber guest)

User guides

Quick reference guide

Jabber for iPhone quick start guide

Jabber for iPad quick start guide

Jabber for Android quick start guide

Getting started

All staff on the University network with a University managed desktop or laptop will have a Jabber icon available on their device. It will be accessible from the start menu on windows and in applications on Apple Mac devices.

See the features below that are available to you, depending on your location and device.

Features based on location and how it's delivered

The table below describes what features will be available to you, depending on your location and device.

If you wish to use video and softphone from a desktop or other laptop which does not have a webcam, these can be obtained through the standard stationary catalogue.

		Features available			Delivery
Device	Location	Jabber IM & P	Jabber desktop sharing	Softphone
Flinders PC (or Mac) & video phone with a direct number	Bedford Park, Tonsley or Victoria Square	√	√	√	Automatic install
Non Flinders PC (or Mac) & video phone with a direct number	Bedford Park, Tonsley or Victoria Square	√	√	√	Manual install
Flinders PC (or Mac) & shared phone	Bedford Park, Tonsley or Victoria Square	√	√ (Windows only)		Automatic install
Flinders PC (or Mac) on the Flinders network	CRH, FURCS, FMC, MOB, RGH, OCEP, GGT	√	√ (Windows only)		Automatic install
Flinders PC (or Mac) on the Flinders network	NT Sites	√	√ (Windows only)		Automatic install This will only work if you use Cisco AnyConnect which will set a VPN into the Flinders Network.
Remote sites on ADSL Connection	Small remote locations with ADSL link	√	√ (Windows only)		Manual install

Video chat with students and people outside of the University (Jabber guest)

Jabber guest (video chat) will allow any student or other third party outside the University to have a video enabled telephone call with you, directly from their web browser, if they have a webcam, speakers and microphone.

Jabber guest is only a link. The first time a calling party clicks the link, they will be required to install a web browser "plug-in". This takes less than a minute and is only required the very first time.

Callers require the following to use Jabber guest:

Internet connected device - laptop, desktop computer or mobile device
Plug-in installed
Webcam
Microphone
Speakers

The URL (link) looks like: https://dial.flinders.edu.au/call/email address or https://dial.flinders.edu.au/call/telephone extension.

Some use cases:

Email signature -add your personal Jabber guest URL to your email signature. You already advertise in your email signature; your email address, your phone/mobile number and your Jabber guest URL can be included as well.

Video chat button - add a button to your webpage. Picture this; a student is navigating the Flinders website; they decide they want to speak with somone for assistance. They click the "Video chat" button and a video call is established immediately from within their web browser.

Elevate from a voice call to a video call - If you believe it would be easier to communicate with video and voice, just send the third party your personal link and re-establish the conversation.

Job interviews - an interviewee unable to attend in person. Send them your Jabber guest URL and they can have a video enabled discussion instead.

Download the Jabber Guest User Guide

Jabber for BYOD devices

Jabber is available for BYOD (Bring Your own Device) staff that access the Flinders Network.

For BYOD staff, desktop sharing is available on PC only.

Download the appropriate installation software for your personal devices.

Jabber for PC

Jabber for Mac

Jabber for mobile

Mobile device users will need to install Jabber from Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPad/ iPhone). This will allow Instant Messaging and Presence.

Only staff who have a Flinders provided video phone will be able to use the softphone option.

If Jabber is not available from the App store or Play Store, this means the device operating system does not support Jabber.

Frequently asked questions

What devices will Jabber work with?

Jabber is supported on PC, Android, Apple Mac and Apple devices (iPhone /iPad).

Why does my computer ring when my phone rings? Can I stop it?

If you have a Flinders Cisco video phone, your Jabber will be connected to it. Jabber has control over the video phone and you can control it from the Jabber interface.

On a PC, this feature cannot currently be disabled. On a Mac, you can disable phone services in the bottom left hand corner of Jabber by clicking on the icon and selecting ‘disable phone services’.

What is a softphone?

A softphone is software (Jabber) that allows you to use your desktop computer or hand held device to make telephone calls, as long as you have a microphone and speakers. In addition if you have a webcam, you can make a video call.

How do I get Jabber softphone functions?

Users who have a Cisco Video phone will have Jabber softphone functionality on their PC/Mac which will allow them to make telephones calls fromtheir desktop computer. To take advantage of this functionality you must have speakers, a microphone and Jabber must be running. Users with a Cisco Video phone can also operate Jabber on their mobile device and this can be requested through the IDS Service Desk .

For those users who do not have a Cisco Video phone, Jabber Softphone functionality can be provided. There is a cost associated with these types of requests. Please direct enquires to the IDS Service Desk .

Can I use Jabber off-campus?

Yes, Jabber can be used off campus.

Can I make a video call to Skype or Google Hangouts with Cisco Jabber?

Jabber is not interoperable with these products.

Can I use Jabber to connect to a video conference at Flinders?

If you have a softphone, you can connect to video conference enabled rooms. Other users can contact you by either dialling your extension number or by using your email address.

Can I share files using Jabber?

File sharing is available on PC and Mac. This feature is available in the chat window by clicking on the paperclip icon. There are no file size restrictions. Most common file types can be transferred.

My audio and video is dropping in and out. What can I do to improve the quality?

This is generally related to network connection speed (bandwidth). Generally, your home connection is not as high as that which operates within the University. If possible, try closing other applications running on your device which use bandwidth such as streaming applications. If drop outs continue, you can turn off video by clicking on the camera symbol / stop my video and revert to an audio only call.

My audio is echoing. What can I do to fix it?

For best audio results, a headset is recommended. If audio is needed for more than one person, an echo cancelling speakerphone is recommended.

If you hear an echo of your own audio, this is normally caused by the person you are connected to. To resolve this problem, the other person would need to use a solution listed above.

Why does Jabber incorrectly display another callers name when they call?

In some cases, users who are part of a shared number can display as another user. This occurs as they all share the same number. An example of this is the IDS Service Desk where all helpdesk staff share the 12345 number.

Can I use VPN and use Jabber when away from campus?

If you wish to access network shares or business applications remotely using Cisco AnyConnect VPN, Jabber will allow you to make a video call at the same time.
Please note that Jabber works best off campus using only an internet connection. If you wish to make video calls and access email, the VPN service is not required.

Can I use Jabber communication via VPN when the other party is also using VPN?

Yes, but the VPN can impact voice and video quality. If you encounter issues try turning off video and if that doesn't fix things (within 10 seconds) one party may need to disconnect from the VPN. Unfortunately disconnecting from the VPN when on a call will drop the call.

I have a Flinders PC, but I am on the SA Health network. Can I have Jabber?

Unfortunately, Jabber cannot be installed on any Flinders computers accessing the SA Health network.

Frequently asked questions - Jabber guest

Does Jabber Guest work on my mobile device?

Yes, the Jabber Guest app is available for download on IOS and Andriod mobile devices. Download and install the Jabber Guest app from the app or play store on your device and then click the supplied link to connect using the Jabber Guest app.

Can I dial out to a person using Jabber Guest?

No, you can only connect to a session by clicking on the supplied link.

Can I use Jabber Guest off-campus

Yes, Jabber Guest allows anyone to connect from external networks.

I don't have a web camera or microphone can I use Jabber Guest?

If neither is available, Jabber Guest cannot be used. If no webcam is present but a microphone is, Jabber Guest will attempt to establish a video call, but if a webcam is not available, a voice call can be established.

How does an external person get connection details?

The link must be supplied by a person at Flinders. A Flinders person can make it freely available by adding their personal Jabber Guest link to their email signature. They can also provide the link directly in an email or point someone to a link made available on a webpage within the Flinders website.

Can I share my screen using Jabber Guest?

No, you cannot share your screen from Jabber Guest. If you require this functionality or other capabilities such as sharing/editing content then use virtual meeting technologies such as WebEx.

What do I need to attend a meeting using Jabber Guest?

The appropriate Jabber Guest link and install the “plug-in”, which will auto install the first time you click on the link.

For the best experience, a reliable internet connection, operational webcam, microphone and speakers are required.

If I provide my telephone extension rather than my email address, will external parties be able to have a video call with me?

Yes, either will work. The https://dial.flinders.edu.au/call component of the URL, sends the incoming connection to the University’s phone system, which then recognises the telephone extension as a valid extension within the University and connects the video call.

Support for digital and IT services

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays

After hours or when all staff are busy you will be given an option to leave a voicemail message. Voicemails will be accessed as soon as practical during business hours otherwise you may choose to log an IT support request.