Some changes when logging into Zoom
Our Campus has been updating some of our authentication methods, and as a result, the ability to log into Zoom through the Google Apps launcher will no longer be available. Based on a few help desk tickets, this is a great time to review some Zoom concepts so you’ll be prepared for these changes.
The first thing we should address is a common misunderstanding regarding the Zoom Workplace app on your laptop or desktop. Zoom always launches this application anytime you join a Zoom meeting, and you’ve probably noticed this program running on your computer during meetings. You know it’s running when you see the blue Zoom icon on your applications bar (pictured below).
However, users do not have to be logged into Zoom to attend a meeting and seeing the Zoom Workplace icon doesn’t mean you’re logged in.
For most meeting hosts not being logged into Zoom only becomes a problem when they aren’t the first person to show up for their meeting. In those cases, being logged into your meeting will ensure you, the host, have full control of your meeting. Users may have experienced issues in the past, when a student or another participant appeared to be in control of their scheduled meeting, or when the entire class happened to be stuck in a waiting room. This was likely because Zoom gives host permissions to the first person to arrive to a meeting or to the meeting host. Zoom only recognizes the host if the host is logged in.
To prevent any headaches, it’s always best to log into Zoom at the application. When logged into the Zoom Workplace app, you’ll be able to start meetings directly from the app as well as schedule meetings and get reminders for upcoming meetings directly on your desktop. The Zoom Workplace app replaces the need to log into the Zoom portal directly from the web.
Logging into the Zoom Workplace App
The following will be a brief overview on how to log into the Zoom Workplace Application. This is the best method to ensure full control of your meetings. To begin, open the Zoom just as you would open any program on your computer, once it launches you’ll see a screen like the one below.
From here you can click the SSO login, then you’ll see the following screen.
On the “Sign in with SSO” screen complete the company domain field with the word “meredith” and click continue.
You should then be logged into the Zoom Workplace application. You’ll know you’re logged in when you see your profile icon near the top right hand side of the screen. Clicking this profile icon will allow you to verify which Zoom account you logged in with, as well as provide access to some other options.
Anytime you’re in a meeting, you can always check to ensure you’re logged in by hovering over the Zoom icon along the applications bar.
If you see a split screen with a login prompt, you’re not logged in. (pictured above)
Seeing a “sign in” option along the top of the meeting window if you have hovered over the Zoom application window also means you’re not logged into Zoom Workplace. (pictured below)
Log in using the Zoom Web Portal
Users may need to log into the Zoom web portal directly on occasion. The Zoom website gives users lots of options that are sometimes easier to manage through the web interface.
From the Meredith Zoom Portal, users can:
- schedule meetings
- edit upcoming meeting invites
- start upcoming meetings
- Find meeting recordings
- Locate AI meeting summaries
- And more …
Logging into the Zoom Web Portal is easy, simply
- Navigate to meredith.zoom.us using your preferred browser
- Click the Employee Sign in, or Student Sign.
- Users will then be prompted for their Meredith credentials and logged into the Zoom website.
Just remember, if you launch a meeting using the web portal you will most likely still need to log into the desktop application. You are usually prompted on the meeting join screen as pictured below with the “Sign In” button assuming you haven’t disabled this preview screen.
Final Thoughts
As always, please feel free to reach out to the Meredith Help Desk or the IDAT team if you have any questions regarding Zoom usage on campus.