Zoom’s Latest Release: New Features & Enhancements

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Zoom recently announced its latest release aimed at improving meeting, chat and phone features.

To access the below features you will need to download the latest version of Zoom Client for Meetings. More information on the items below can be found in Zoom’s release notes.

New Updates to Zoom Client

New and Enhanced Features

General Features

  • Sync subfolders in cloud contacts: When syncing contacts from Office 365, subfolders will now be synced in addition to the main contacts folder.

Meeting/Webinar Features

  • Support for live-streaming to YouTube on mobile: Hosts using Android or iOS can live-stream their meetings and webinars through the YouTube mobile app.
  • Virtual background support for additional CPUs: For Windows users, virtual backgrounds are now supported for i3 5th generation and above, i5/i7/i9 3rd generation and above, all including Y-series. These CPUs will support virtual backgrounds at 15fps and 360p.
  • Scheduling with custom Join Before Host time limit: Users can select a Join Before Host option when scheduling meetings to allow participants to join 5, 10 or 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Meeting Features

  • End-to-end (E2E) encryption: E2E encryption for meetings is now available in technical preview. Account owners and administrators can enable E2E encryption for meetings, providing additional protection when needed. Enabling E2E encryption for meetings requires all meeting participants to join from the Zoom desktop client, mobile app or Zoom Rooms. Users will not be able to join by telephone, SIP/H.323 devices, on-premise configurations or Lync/Skype clients as these end points cannot be encrypted end to end. Zoom web client and third party clients leveraging the Zoom SDK are also not supported at launch. Enabling this setting also disables the following features: Join Before Host, cloud recording, streaming, live transcription, breakout rooms, polling and meeting reactions. This setting is enabled in the Zoom web portal at the account, group and user level and can be locked at the account or group level.
  • Additional share options with Proximity Share for Zoom Rooms: For Windows, macOS and Linux users, Proximity Share now supports sharing specific apps, sharing computer audio and optimizing for full-screen video.
  • Change ringtone for meeting invites and phone calls.
  • Improved experience for saving annotations on mobile (Android and iOS users).
  • Improved pre-assigned breakout room behaviour.

Chat Features

  • Search in Channel option added to the Channel Info panel for mobile (Android and iOS users).
  • Search starred messages (Windows, macOS and Linux users).

Phone Features

  • Bootstrap mode for nomadic emergency services: If bootstrap mode is enabled by an account owner or administrator, phone users can report their current locations as company locations and/or report underlying network data for existing company locations. User-reported location and network data must be approved by administrators before it becomes actively part of defined company locations. These operations will send email notifications to administrators (at most one email per day).
  • Call notifications for busy call queue members: If enabled, call queue members can receive call queue calls when they are busy on a call.
  • Opt out of specific call queues: Users who are members of multiple call queues can opt out of specific call queues to disable call notifications from those call queues.

All of our offices are OPEN!

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The future is here. 
We have fully equipped our offices with leading-edge technology and videoconferencing systems in every boardroom at each location to accommodate remote attendees for all of our in-office proceedings. Not only that, we have a stellar team of onsite and virtual technicians who will be on hand to assist at every turn and keep things running smoothly! 

Innovate. Adapt. 
Chef Nye is back! He and his team will be preparing gourmet boxed mediation lunches, handcrafted hand sanitizer and safely pre-packaged treats. It may be a new landscape, but you can look forward to the high-quality service, excellence and thoughtful extras you have come to expect from the Reportex team.

All three of our locations (HQ in Vancouver, All-Star by Reportex in New Westminster and Island Reporters in Victoria) have re-opened for in-person proceedings! For ongoing remote options, please click HERE.

For a full list of our detailed protocols please click here to view our COVID-19 Protocol, which will be updated as needed.

Safely Re-opening July 6th, 2020

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All three of our locations (HQ in Vancouver, All-Star by Reportex in New Westminster and Island Reporters in Victoria) will be reopening for in-person proceedings on Monday, July 6th, 2020

We can’t wait to welcome you back! 

Here are a few of the things we are implementing to keep everyone safe while at Reportex:

What to expect before your proceeding…

  • Clients, witnesses and onsite staff will all be screened for new symptoms before every job, through a self-questionnaire (either via email or onsite). Anyone exhibiting fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, new muscle aches or headache will be asked to leave. 
  • Start times will be staggered to avoid congestion in our reception areas.
  • At Reportex HQ we are currently utilizing boardrooms on three floors. You will receive detailed instructions the day before your proceeding, which will direct you to your specific floor.  

Sanitization & Protection…

  • We have installed plexiglass shields in boardrooms and at reception to provide additional comfort and protection. 
  • A supply of hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and disposable face masks will be readily available in our offices at all times for clients, witnesses and staff. Please consider wearing a mask while in our offices. 
  • Our extensive disinfection procedures will include cleaning all common touchpoints and surfaces every 30 minutes (outside boardrooms).
  • Once your proceeding concludes, the boardroom will be sanitized thoroughly in preparation for the next proceeding. 

During your proceeding…

  • Please comply with any signage in the boardrooms.
  • Congregating will not be permitted in common/reception areas or at food serveries, and break times will be staggered as much as possible to avoid congestion in the common areas/washrooms. 
  • Videoconferencing equipment will be available in every boardroom at each location to accommodate any remote attendees (and our remote proceedings technicians will be available to assist).
  • We will not be requiring witnesses to hold a bible when they are sworn in. Witnesses may bring their own bible, or we will disinfect a bible prior to use if required.)

Food Service…

  • We’re working on a solution to provide our mediations with Chef Nye’s extraordinary catering! Please stay tuned for further developments.
  • In the meantime, individually packaged snacks and bottled water will be available for your enjoyment. You are also welcome to bring your own beverage/food.

For a full list of our detailed protocols please click here to view our COVID-19 Protocol, which will be updated as needed.

Mandatory Zoom 5.0 Upgrade, Zoom Meeting Tips & MS Teams Reminder

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By Kiran Deol, Appeals Coordinator & E-Trial Tech

Important: Mandatory Zoom 5.0 Upgrade

Effective May 30, 2020, you must upgrade your Zoom account to version 5.0 in order to attend any meetings.  You can check your current version of Zoom by going to the main screen (before you log in).  At the bottom of the page you will see the version that you are currently using.  If you do not have the latest version of Zoom, you will be asked to upgrade by your Reportex Technician, as failing to do so will result in technical issues.

Zoom meeting Tips

These tips will help you prepare for your upcoming zoom meeting.

Please remember that a dedicated Reportex technician is always available on our remote proceedings to assist with any technical issues that might arise.

Internet Connectivity

In order to have the best possible Zoom experience, you need to start with an appropriate internet speed to avoid lagging.

  • If possible, use a hardwired connection (as opposed to wifi).
  • Zoom recommends a 25 mbps download speed and 5 mbps upload speed. You can test your connection at www.speedtest.net. If your speed does not meet these parameters, you should contact your internet service provider to discuss your options to upgrade your speed.
  • Avoid running multiple applications while attending a Zoom meeting, as this can slow down your internet speed significantly.
  • Avoid running Zoom (or any other conferencing platform) through a VPN or virtual desktop, as this can create connection and audio difficulties. Instead, join the Zoom proceedings locally on your computer.

Sharing Documents Onscreen

Zoom allows users to share documents right on your screen for everyone to see. Follow these tips to create a smooth experience for everyone:

  • Always ‘stage’ the documents you want to put to a witness. Having them open as PDFs (or in a folder on your desktop that is readily accessible)
  • Sharing documents will allow everyone in the meeting to see the specific document
  • Sharing your screen will share your entire screen, including your toolbars, desktop and whatever program/document/website you have open

Note: Reportex suggests sharing documents rather than sharing your entire screen as you may have sensitive documents open (such as your examination questions).

Video/Sound

In order to replicate as close to an in-person proceeding as possible, please do the following to facilitate clear video and sound:

  • Avoid sitting in front of a window to avoid creating a shadow. Instead, try to have a window in front of you or beside you. If you must have a window behind you, add a lamp to your work area for added light.
  • Do a test at https://zoom.us/test to ensure your webcam and mic are functioning properly
  • If you are connected via multiple devices, mute one of them to avoid echoing
  • If you do not need to speak, mute your mic so that there is no background noise

MS Teams Reminder

The Provincial Court recently announced the approval of MS Teams for trials.

A step-by-step guide to appearing in a MS Teams proceeding and surrounding etiquette can be found here.

While at Reportex we prefer to use the Zoom and WebEx platforms, we are prepared to support our clients using MS Teams. We will be offering firm training sessions on MS Teams for clients who are required to use that platform for court or any other remote proceeding. To book a MS Team training session, please contact us today and we will be happy to assist.

Kiran Deol, Appeals Coordinator & E-Trial Tech

Security, Remote & Office Services Update

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MS Teams:
The Provincial Court recently announced the approval of MS Teams for trials.

A step-by-step guide to appearing in a MS Teams proceeding and surrounding etiquette can be found here.

While at Reportex we prefer to use the Zoom and WebEx platforms, we are prepared to support our clients using MS Teams. We will be offering firm training sessions on MS Teams for clients who are required to use that platform for court or any other remote proceeding. To book a MS Team training session, please contact us today and we will be happy to assist.

Zoom:
Zoom 5.0

A friendly reminder that Zoom 5.0 (released April 27) is now available. This is a mandatory update for all Zoom users.

The Zoom 5.0 update includes support for AES 256-bit GCM encryption.

According to the Zoom website, this encryption provides added protection for meeting data and greater resistance to tampering.

More details on the Zoom 5.0 update and features (including how to report a user and the new encryption shield) can be read on the Zoom blog.

Return to the office:
Reportex, All-Star by Reportex and Island Reporters are all tentatively scheduled to reopen July 6.  In preparation for this, we are currently establishing protocols and taking all necessary steps to ensure compliance with health and safety measures to keep our staff, reporters and clients comfortable and protected.

Until then, we will continue to offer remote proceedings to all of our clients.

Meet Dr. Chris Watt

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Join Reportex and Integra as we co-host a free webinar on Conducting Remote IMEs on Thursday, May 14th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm.

Special guest Dr. Chris Watt.

Listen and learn from special guest Dr. Chris Watt as he shares his experiences conducting an entire assessment and physical examination via video.

Dr. Chis Watt is a Certified Sports Medicine Physician through the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine and is a Certified Independent Medical Examiner through the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. He is the Medical Director at Integra Medical Consulting, a locally owned and clinically managed IME agency based in BC with clinics in Vancouver, Kelowna & Edmonton. Dr. Watt is a peer article reviewer for the Canadian Family Practice Journal, and has written articles and made presentations on topics related to sports medicine, occupational medicine and the management of mood disorders. He has provided evidence in BC Supreme Court on numerous occasions.

This webinar will cover a range of things, including:

  • Pros & Cons: The benefits and pitfalls inherent to the process
  • File briefs: Information that would be useful to have on hand
  • Process overview: How it may differ, depending on the circumstances
  • Prepping a client: Key information and tools to provide to your client
  • Best practices: Communication between lawyers and doctors for the most effective examination
  • Q & A following the presentation.

Space is limited. Sign up here to reserve your spot!