Did You Know?

ACC WiFi

WiFi has been upgraded and secured across all ACC campuses. You should no longer experience connectivity issues. If you experience any issues, please communicate with IT by submitting a Service Request.

Video Conferencing

You no longer need to purchase alternate solutions or drive to other campuses as ACC has enough licenses for video conferencing tools for the entire College. The solutions ACC has to offer are WebEx and Google Hangouts. Using one of these solutions, you would simply sit at your desk and participate in meetings all over the campuses. If you do not have access to WebEx you may request an account here. If you do not have a webcam, you may request it here. To ease time and confusion, you may also submit a Service Request for all the needs and our technicians will be more than happy to assist you or email you instructions.

Survey Tools

If you were wondering if ACC has a survey solution for the College, then you are reading the correct newsletter! ACC now has a centralized solution named Survey Monkey and all ACC employees have access. If you need access, you may simply start here and create a new account. If you already had a Survey Monkey account affiliated with your ACC account, you will be able to follow the steps for converting your account once you login to Survey Monkey. If you have any questions or would like more instructions, you may submit a Service Request.

Project Management

ACC has acquired limited licenses for a project management tool named ASANA. If you need access, you may submit a Service Request and access will be granted based on availability. Since acquiring more licenses requires monetary expenditures, any increase in our license threshold will depend on budget availability per fiscal year.

Data Storage - Google Drives

ACC uses G-Suite for Education which provides you full access to Google Drives/Shared Drives. These storage solutions may be used to store, migrate or share data. Important Reminders:

● Make sure you do not share ACC’s sensitive data outside of the College and/or mix personal with professional data on google drives.

● Always log off after accessing google drive from remote locations. If you are unfamiliar with Google’s Drive, have questions about data being stored on Drive, or have ran out of disk space on your network drive, you may submit a Service Request for assistance.

Update: IT is working to implement BOX https://www.box.com/ offering optional greater mobility, security, accessibility and collaboration capabilities to faculty, staff and students.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Austin Community College is the FIRST community college in the nation designated an Adobe Creative Campus. Adobe Creative Cloud is a set of applications and services from Adobe Systems that gives subscribers access to a collection of software used for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography, along with a set of mobile applications and some optional cloud services. If you need assistance, simply submit a Service Request and our technicians will be more than happy to assist you or email you instructions.

Escalate-Tech@austincc.edu

IT has prepared an escalation path for you if you are not satisfied with your service, whether it be delayed services requests, questions, or concerns. Escalate-Tech@austincc.edu emails are delivered to everyone serving on the IT Leadership Team and will draw everyone’s attention to the issue at hand for an escalated response.

Access to Gartner’s Research Database

Everyone at ACC will have access to Gartner’s research database in the near future. Founded in 1979, Gartner is the leading research and advisory company. IT is working to integrate Gartner’s portal with ACC’s Single Sign on (OKTA) solution.

Q&A

I have heard we no longer plan to refresh old computers.

All computers will be refreshed accordingly. We have had a backlog due to product availability from the vendor and are finally moving forward to refresh and upgrade as planned with no changes from the previous years. New equipment has been acquired and delivered. Scheduling and coordination are in progress. You will receive an email informing you with your replacement date and coordination schedule as we progress through the FY2020 replacement listing.

Why can’t I buy external storage devices using my P-Card?

ACC’s compliance process requires IT to protect and encrypt data at rest and in transit. The use of external devices to store and transport data bypasses all current and planned security measures and increases the risk of data loss or theft. As stated above, ACC uses GSuite for Education which provides you full access to Google Drives/Shared Drives. These drives may be used in place of external storage devices. If you need assistance, simply submit a Service Request and our technicians will be more than happy to assist you or email you instructions. We understand that some of you might have a need to continue or even start using external storage devices. These exceptions will of course be made.

Why can’t I buy a cloud subscription using my P-Card?

IT identified that 30% of ACC’s current applications and solutions are duplicated and operate in a siloed manner resulting in increased cost, lack of integration, and increased support. IT’s objective is to provide unified solutions to better serve the entire College, instead of each individual division, offering standard processes, support, better integration and ensuring compliance with vendors when sharing ACC’s data. Exceptions will, of course, be made. Already approved subscriptions will not be impacted at this time. If you have any questions about solutions, simply submit a Service Request or Request for New Technology or Technical Consultation.

Why can’t I buy video conferencing and collaboration solutions using my P-Card?

ACC has enough licenses for video conferencing tools for the entire College. The solutions ACC has to offer are WebEx and Google Hangouts. If you do not have access to WebEx you may request an account here. If you do not have a webcam, you may request it here. To ease time and confusion, you may also submit a Service Request for all the needs and our technicians will be more than happy to assist you or email you instructions. Exceptions will, of course, be considered and approved based on the specific need.

Is it true ACC will no longer acquire or support Apple Computers?

ACC has no plans to discontinue the use of or support of Apple computers.

Is it true that we plan to move away from Google products (G-Suite for Education)?

ACC has no plans to discontinue the use of G-suite. IT is working to implement BOX https://www.box.com/ offering optional greater mobility, security, accessibility and collaboration capabilities to faculty, staff and students. All ACC sensitive data and institutional records will move to BOX. All other G-suite services will continue as normal.

I heard we plan to use VDI, what is VDI and when will that happen?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) segments the servers into various virtual desktops which are accessed remotely through your device(s), your virtual desktop or thin client. These virtual desktops are hosted on Virtual Machines (VM) that are controlled through management software offering secure remote access from anywhere, improved security, ease of management, cost savings, automation and immediate deployment of new virtual workstation. Kiosk, ACCelerator and staff deployment is tentatively targeted for August 2020.

I heard VDI will eliminate the use of physical computers and Apple products?

VDI (Virtual Desktop) is a hosted desktop computer. The environment to manage these are currently being built and will be piloted for feasibility and compatibility with each ACC Department before implementation. Apple devices, laptops and mobile computing needs will continue to be met.