Sign In


To support the need for social distancing, information is available on a number of technology tools for employees and managers. For a brief overview, managers and their employees are encouraged to review What you and you employees need to know before working remotely.  

Full details for transitioning to work from home are available in the Work from Home - Technology and Network Access Guide

Please print this guide before you leave the office. That way you have full instructions when you are disconnected. If additional issues arise, Taskroom is accessible from any internet connection (e.g. your phone or personal computer). You do not need to be connected to the network.

It is strongly advised that you take your work computer home, even if it is a desktop. This guarantees the best and most secure connection to all of your work applications and files. In the event that a government computer is not an option, contact the Service Desk for more options: itoservicedesk@gov.sk.ca, +1 (306) 787-5000.


1. Technology options

2. User security guidelines

3. Things to do BEFORE you leave the office - (e.g. changing your password, installing all updates)

4. How to pack up your workstation

5. How to work from home using a Government of Saskatchewan computer, optimizing your connection and VPN.
  • All Government of Saskatchewan computers (including desktops) are now equipped with VPN. You do not need to request a token to access VPN.
  • Limit the use of VPN to leave room for others.
  • A VPN connection is not required if you’re accessing systems such as Sasktel IBC, Email, Skype for Business, ServiceNow, OneDrive, or Taskroom.sp.saskatchewan.ca and other public websites.

6. Accessing Office 365 with any device and any internet connection

You can connect to Word, Outlook (email), PowerPoint, Excel, Skype, SharePoint, OneNote, OneDrive etc. with any internet connection and any device. You must have Multifactor Authentication (MFA) set up.
  • If you are accessing from your government computer, you will have full functionality.
  • If you are accessing from a personal computer or phone your functionality will be limited.
  • If you already have MFA, double check your preferences to ensure you are not using an office phone. If you are using an office phone you will need to change your preferences to use a cell phone and/or an authenticator app.
7. Hot-spotting Hot-spotting allows you to access the internet from your computer when you don’t have Wi-Fi by using the data from your cell phone
Video-conferencing and telephone calls

  • Be mindful of when to use your phone and when to use Skype. Skype is the best option if you need video chat and/or need to present material, otherwise using a phone is recommended.  
  • Use Facetime for a two-person video call if you and your colleague have work iPhones.  
  • Schedule conference calls outside of the peak times of 9 to 11 a.m. when possible. Calls with lower participant count can use the 3 to 6 way calling function on your phone set or using IBC Soft Client.   
  • Videoconference meetings: Skype for Business is a tool that can be used to hold videoconference meetings on any government device equipped for two-way audio. Please refer to the Skype Video Conference Guide for detailed instructions.
  • Be mindful of when to use your phone and when to use Skype. Skype is the best option if you need video chat and/or need to present material, otherwise using a phone is recommended.
  • Use Facetime for a two-person video call if you and your colleague have work iPhones.
  • Teleconference meetings: Government’s new IBC phone system offers tools to help keep business running including offering personal IBC conference lines, having calls to their desk line ring simultaneously on their cell phone, making and receiving calls from any computer, and making changes to their call forwarding from anywhere.  Learn how to use these features by following the IBC phone system guides.
  • For calls with six or fewer people, please use the 3 to 6 way calling option from your phone set or Soft Client. This guide will walk you through how to use this feature on your Soft Client and this help poster will walk you through how to use this feature on your phone set.  
  • For calls of more than 25 people, please consider using the SaskTel On Demand conference service. Providers nation-wide have been able to increase capacity on this service. If you do not currently have an On Demand account, please contact Bev Cyca at 306-777-4448 or bev.cyca@sasktel.com; or Laurie Howe at 306-777-8446 or laurie.howe@sasktel.com. There is typically a two day turnaround to set up service for SaskTel On Demand.   
  • For calls that are critical in nature, ministry phone coordinators can work directly with SaskTel to create a temporary conference line for the call. This is only intended to be used for one time calls or reoccurring calls of the utmost importance and criticality (not for daily business operations). Should this be required, email the IBC Project inbox, ibcproject.cs@gov.sk.ca, and we will put you in touch with the right contacts at SaskTel. 
  • When scheduling conference calls, do your best to avoid peak usage times between 9 and 11 a.m.
To use features like those described above, you need your IBC user ID and password to access your IBC User Portal or Soft Client. If you have forgotten your password and need it reset, please contact your ministry’s Telephone Coordinator.

Online training for the IBC phone system covers features that will help you work remotely. Sessions are being offered on the first Wednesday morning and third Thursday afternoon of the month.

​

Wednesday, April 1 at 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Thursday, April 16 at 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 6 at 9:30 – 11 a.m.


Thursday, May 21 at 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3 at 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Thursday, June 17 at 2 – 3:30 p.m

Sessions are booked for 90 minutes to accommodate extra time for user questions. The presentation portion is approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Email ibcproject.cs@gov.sk.ca to register.

  • Activate features by following the IBC phone system guides. To use features like those described above, you need your IBC user ID and password to access your IBC User Portal or Soft Client. If you have forgotten your password and need it reset, please contact your ministry’s Telephone Coordinator.

Microsoft OneDrive

A small number of government users recently received the OneDrive cloud application. This has become their new individual working drive, replacing their H: Drive. Files saved to this drive are saved in the cloud and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.


Microsoft Teams

In order to support government's increasing videoconferencing needs, and enhance our overall IT environment, the IT Division of Central Services launched Microsoft Teams in Central Services in April 2020.

Teams is an application within the Office 365 suite, that offers full videoconferencing capabilities on any internet-connected device with a camera — along with online collaboration via audio, video, chat and file sharing capabilities.

Teams videoconferencing works on mobile devices. Simply install the application and use video and audio conferencing anywhere, any time. Please note, Teams is not replacing Skype for Business or Web Ex at this time.

Visit the Teams Taskroom page for more information.

  • Please note, your Teams login consists of your Government of Saskatchewan username (i.e. jsmith@gov.sk.ca) and your network password, not your email address. You may be asked to enter a code sent to another one of your devices to confirm your identity. To learn more, see these instructions for multi-factor authentication.



​Contact information

Employees can contact the IT Service Desk with technology and network access questions. Call 306-787-5000.


 Related Documents