The new office...portal
It has come to pass that InstantlyForgettableNameCorp's new IT platform will be M$ 365. Or Office 365. Dunno, don't care. (shrug)
Our user accounts are being migrated over this month. Or, rather, we're migrating them, as it appears that the saps in IT are leaving it to the saps not in IT to do their work for them. This is what's otherwise known as a winning strategy; perhaps they're smarter than I'd given them credit for.
Anyhow, part of this migration requires us to set up multi-factor authentication, using M$'s handy-dandy authenticator app for iOS and Android. Once that's done, we then enter our phone number for alternate authentication.
Except…I don't have a company phone. And, since the company doesn't pay for my personal phone, it has no right to expect me to use it for work, install apps on it, or give my private number to M$ for corporate use. Besides, I rarely carry my phone with me anyway.*
So, how do you migrate your account when it requires MFA to be established on something that doesn't exist? It seems that the technogeeks in IT think that we're all on the same wavelength as them.
I've lodged a support ticket with the IT Helpdesk, but I expect it to be of as much use as HR's. Bugger all.
* The two great advantages of mobile/cell phones are: firstly, you can take them anywhere with you; and, secondly, you don't have to. (pipe)
Light the torches! Grab the pitchforks! The peasants are revolting!
It appears that I'm not the only malcontent when it comes to using my personal property, and private information, for routine corporate IT security. Some of my colleagues are claiming that they don't have a phone. Or at least they don't own a smartphone. Or they don't understand the question.
IT seem to be inundated. They've advised me that they're investigating the issue, and will revert when they have found a resolution. We shall see.
After much deliberation—which amounts to fuck all really—the response is to use my own phone or negotiate a company one with my micromanager. The first option isn't an option. My micromanager's on holiday this week, and I'm on holiday for the next two. By the time I return I may not have any access to our IT systems.
It's all fun 'n' games here at InstantlyForgettableNameCorp.
Predictably enough, my account was migrated during my absence, and everything's gone to shit. My micromanager has approved a corporate phone, so that I can set up MFA without giving those a-hats at M$ my personal details. But I have no idea as to how to go about ordering one, and he can't advise since he's based in a different continent. So, yeah.
In the meantime, I'm getting no productive work done. But at least I'm getting paid to waste my time like this, which is all that really matters TBH! (pipe)
It's only taken two weeks, but I now have a phone and access to company email. Let the good times roll.
I was dreading being given a new iPhone, because they're gay, but fortunately for me InstantlyForgettableNameCorp is cheap-arsed and I've been given an iPhone SE. I didn't know such a thing existed, but they do. All the newness of a version 13, but with a home button. Splendid! (thumbup)