The helpdesk is the best first point of contact for all technology support issues. Having Technical Problems? We can help! Contact our San Antonio College OTS Help Desk: Phone: 210-486-0777 Email: sac-helpdesk@alamo.edu
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
After Hours? Call the Alamo Colleges ITS Helpdesk at 210-485-0555 and leave a message. The helpdesk will respond within one business day.
Alamo Colleges ITS Helpdesk Operational Hours:
Mon. - Fri. 7:30 - 12 Midnight
Sat. 8am - 5pm
Sun. 12 noon - 12 Midnight
For technology training services, please contact our Instructional Technologies & Innovation Center at 210-486-0030 or email to
sac-it@alamo.edu. Monthly fee-free sessions are available on various technologies. They also offer assistance and workshops on using technology for teaching. The Instructional Technologies and Innovation Center web site is located at the following URL: www.alamo.edu/sac/itic
To request your workstation, your department should contact our college helpdesk at 210-486-0777. A request must be made at least two weeks prior to the date you require equipment. A workstation that meets all IT standards will be assigned for your use. For technical assistance, you can also reach the helpdesk at 210-486-0777 or email our helpdesk staff at sac-helpdesk@alamo.edu.
PALS (Personalized Access to Learning Services) is your college portal. A PALS portal account is automatically created when employee information is updated in the District’s Human Resources System (HRS). It provides access to college announcements, personal announcements and the college events calendar. PALS web services provide access to your class roster and student academic history information. It also allows you to submit grades electronically and look at your payroll stub information. The PALS system also generates your San Antonio College eMail address. Usernames are created by the following convention: the first letter of your first name, followed by your last name. If more than one student has the same username, a number is appended at the end of the username to make it unique. The user’s Initial Password is the first two characters of their last name IN UPPER CASE followed by the last six digits of their social security number.
EXAMPLE:
John Doe
SSN: 123987654
John Doe's Password: DO987654
A users email address follows the same naming convention as the username, followed by @alamo.edu. John Doe’s email address would be jdoe@alamo.edu . Users are allowed to have up to 250MB of emails on the SAC cervers. This includes all messages and attachments in the “in box” and associated folders, “Sent Items” folder and “Deleted Items” folders.
To verify your PALS account, go to http://sacportal.alamo.edu and click on the “ Click Here to obtain your PALS login User Name” link on the left navigation bar and follow the onscreen prompts. If you are not assigned a PALS ID, contact Support Central Helpdesk at 485-0555 for technical assistance.
Off-site access to email is available if you have an Internet Service Provider. To check your email from an off-site location, access the SAC PALS Portal at http://sacportal.alamo.edu and select the email icon at the top right corner of the screen. For more information about setting up your computer at home, click here . For technical assistance, contact Support Central at 485-0555 or send an email to helpdesk@alamo.edu. If you forget your password, you can access the self-service component at http://sacportal.alamo.edu/.
Your Network ID uses the same format as your PALS ID. A NetworkID is not generated until your PALS ID is created. It is a unique address that can be used to log into your college networked computer. Once you receive your PALS ID, please complete the “ User Account Request Form ” available on our website. Fax your completed form to 210-486-0798. Your Active Directory Initial Password is the first two characters of the last name IN UPPER CASE followed by the last four digits of the social security number. You are REQUIRED to change your password at the first login.
To access San Antonio College wireless network, you must have a valid SAC Network ID. Wireless services are available at many locations at the San Antonio College. Alamo Colleges use the IEEE 802.11b/g wireless network standard to allow users to connect to the network from wireless access zones. There is no charge to access our wireless network connections at the College. See WIRELESS FAQs for more information.
San Antonio College recently transitioned from analog phones to a new phone system called “Voice over IP”. Under this new system, voice and data are carried through common infrastructure. This new service dramatically lowers costs associated with moving lines and changing lines. The new phones also come with increased functionality and many automated features. VoIP phones plug into network lines as opposed to conventional phone lines.
To request a new phone or relocate an existing phone, departments MUST contact the Office of Technology Services Helpdesk at 210-486-0777. Please do not relocate the phone by yourself. This process is critical to insure accurate 911 location records.
VoIP Phone Tutorial
VoIP Phone FAQ
Alamo Colleges has site licenses for Microsoft and Symantec Anti-virus products. For additional information, visit the Alamo Colleges ITS software licensing website.
In addition to the above offerings, your department and your College OTS department may also carry department specific or college specific site licenses. Some site licenses are available for your home use as well. For additional information, please email us at sac-ots@alamo.edu.
All San Antonio College Staff who are assigned a Network ID will receive 250MB of network storage space on the College’s server. Access to the storage space will require the use of your Network ID and a password. Departments also receive a shared network drive for departmental use. It is recommended to map the network storage space assigned to an individual to the letter “H” to indicate the “home directory”. The network storage space is backed up regularly to ensure security.
As staff, if you are assigned registration responsibilities you may need access to the Student Information System. If so, contact the Admissions and Records office at San Antonio College to request an account. Problems accessing course and student related information should be addressed to the Admissions and Records Office.
Alamo Colleges is in the process of upgrading to a new administrative system called Banner. The new system has several enhanced features and offers many benefits to the Alamo Colleges community. If you are a departmental chair person, you may need access to the services available within Banner. You must first complete Banner training before you receive access. The FAQ site offers several answers to Banner, including access and training procedures.
Listserv is an automated email distribution system. San Antonio College uses the “SACALL” listserv to transmit college-wide messages. It offers an efficient way to disseminate college specific information. In addition, several faculty members and departments use dedicated listserv’s to transmit message to specific member participants. To subscribe to SACALL (All members of San Antonio College), follow the steps below:
- Send an email to listserv@accd.edu .
- Leave the SUBJECT field blank and TAB to the body of the message.
- Type “subscribe SACALL Firstname Lastname” (Example: SUBSCRIBE SACALL JOHN SMITH).
- To SIGNOFF, follow the same procedures above, but within the body of the note, type: SIGNOFF listservname.
Listserv FAQ
San Antonio College faculty members are highly encouraged to keep their computer, data, and other electronic devices secure. There are several resources available at the Alamo Colleges to promote IT Security Awareness:
ITS Security
Acceptable Use Policy
Emergency Notification