Integrations with Microsoft 365

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How do I get an app/add-in approved for use within Microsoft 365?

Connections between Microsoft 365 and third-party services must be be reviewed by the SFU Privacy Office and IT Services before they can be made available to the university community.

To request a review, your third-party platform/service must have a completed Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and be part of an institutionally supported platform. Ad-hoc requests without completed PIA will not be considered.

For more information about completing a Privacy Impact Assessment see the SFU Privacy Office's website.

Get Started with a Privacy Impact Assessment

 

Why does an app/add-in need to go through a review process?
As a B.C. public institution, the university has a responsibility to review how apps/add-ins access data associated with SFU Microsoft 365 accounts. 
 
By going through a formal review process, the university can assess how an app/add-in will manage, transmit, store or transform data associated within Microsoft 365 cloud services. This process helps ensures the security and safety of third party apps and add-ins as they interact with a variety of different data permissions (from basic profile information to email calendar information).
 
What's the difference between ad-hoc apps/add-ins and institutionally supported ones?
An institutionally supported app is adopted by department/unit for business, research, or learning needs within the university. For example, a student advising team may have a third-party app that connects to staff email calendars to help students book appointments, or the SFU library may advertise a citation add-in in Microsoft word to help the university with referencing.
 
In contrast, ad-hoc apps/add-ins are personal tools adopted by an individual. For example, this may be a third-party app you use to organize files for your personal non-SFU work but also want it to connect to your SFU OneDrive space so you can manage files within a single app.

 

What apps/add-ins are already available?

Apps/add-ins that have already undergone a review are maintained in the list below.

App Name Application Type Available to
Gmail Email Client All SFU
Apple Mail Email Client All SFU
Samsung Mail Email Client All SFU
Thunderbird Email Client All SFU
TBSync Add-on for Thunderbird Email Client Add-on All SFU
Zoom for Outlook Microsoft Outlook Add-in All SFU
Salesforce for Outlook Microsoft Outlook Add-in Select departments at SFU
Mendeley Cite for Word Microsoft Word Add-in All SFU
Mentimeter for PowerPoint Microsoft PowerPoint Add-in All SFU
Crestron Exchange Online Integration Select departments at SFU

 

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for an app/add-in to get approved?
Times for a review can vary depending on the permissions required, scope of users, and overall complexity of the integration. On average, a review may take 1-6 months to complete.
If an app/add-in is available, does that mean the platform it uses is also approved?
No. SFU only approves the app/add-in itself. This does not approve the platform overall by proxy. For example, if a social media app for MS Teams is available that doesn't approve the entire social media platform.
 
Many areas at SFU use a variety of services to help with the university's mission. Vetting apps/add-ins helps our community avoid less secure alternative accounts/methods to connect to those services.
can I use this to request apps/add-ins that don't integrate with microsoft products/services (e.g., canvas, Zoom)?
No. This request process is only for apps/add-ins that will leverage Microsoft products or services.
My app/add-in is broken, where can I get help?
Departments/units that adopt third-party apps/add-ins should refer to publisher documentation/support resources. SFU's IT Services does not provide direct support third-party apps/add-ins outside the integration with Microsoft 365.
 
Request an Integration with Microsoft 365

Details

Service ID: 4437
Created
Thu 2/22/24 7:32 AM
Modified
Wed 5/1/24 1:51 PM
Audience
The constituents for whom the service is available (e.g., students, faculty, staff).
Staff
Faculty