Study and Work from Home

The following are minimum technical requirements for learning and working remotely:

Most faculty and staff services are accessible from a home Internet connection, using a web browser and/or specific software. Some services require a VPN connection.

It is very important that users of corporate laptops connect to the VPN regularly to get the latest updates provided by the system administrator.  If you are using a personal device, ensure to update the antivirus software daily and to install all available updates regularly.

As part of ITS’ ongoing efforts to protect College information, it is very important that College owned computers are kept up to date with the latest operating system and security patch updates. These are automatically distributed to College owned computers that are connected to the network using the Virtual Private Networking (VPN) service.

Therefore, ITS requests that all employees connect their College owned computers to the network minimally once per week. Please log into VPN at the start of your work day and leave it connected until the end of your work day or until the session is automatically terminated 12 hours later.

If you do not have a College owned computer and are connecting using a personal computer for College business, please ensure you keep your computer updated regularly using Microsoft or Apple updates, as well as updates for any additional anti-virus you may be using; non college owned computers will not receive patches or security updates by connecting to the VPN service.

Set up your computer to connect to VPN. Follow the instructions on our website:  https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/vpn-help/

Set up remote connection to your office computer. Follow instructions in the help article:  How-to-remote-connect-to-your-office-computer

How to troubleshoot your internet connection: Internet Troubleshooting Guide

Learn how to keep your laptop clean: How to clean your Laptop

Using your network credentials, log into the Cisco Personal Assistant website to setup and check your Voicemail via Cisco Voicemail web interface: https://wooducn01.algonquincollege.com/ciscopca/home.do

Optional: Forward your desk phone to an alternate number by logging into the Unified Communications Self-care Portal using your network credentials: https://wooducmpub01.algonquincollege.com/ucmuser/

Optional: Request a soft phone:

Algonquin employees who are working remotely and require the use of a soft phone can request it by sending a request to ITS with the following information:

1. Name:
2. Username:
3. Extension(s):
4. Long Distance required (y/n): (if long distance is required, please attach Manager’s approval)
5. Do you belong to Contact Centre (RO, ITS)? If so, which one?

Your request can be submitted via:

Webform: help.algonquincollege.com/webtocase

Email: 5555@algonquincollege.com
or
Phone: 613-727-4723 ext 5555

Once ITS receives the request, we will create a soft phone and work with you to configure it on your computer.

Find out how to connect to the services you may need.

• Network drives, N: drive
• Salesforce
• Softphone (Jabber)
• Cisco Voicemail web interface
• Genesis
• Remote connection to your office computer
• Clockwork for employees via MyDesktop
• ACSAS

It is very important that users of corporate laptops connect to the VPN regularly to get the latest updates provided by the system administrator.  If you are using a personal device, ensure to update the antivirus software daily and to install all available updates regularly.

Following services do not require VPN connection and can be accessed through your browser:

• Office 365 including Web Outlook, Office Applications, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams
• Brightspace
• Library catalogue, online resources and datatbases
• Wordpress
• ACSIS – students
• ACSIS – staff

Find out about access to tools and software that enable communication and collaboration for staff and students.  Read more about Office365 on the Microsoft Office Support Website.

Find Zoom resources, Tips and Tricks and Troubleshooting Help: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/zoom-resources/

Find resources at the Algonquin College Library: https://www.algonquincollege.com/library/

Find out more about tools and technology for remote teaching and learning from Learning and Teaching Services: https://www.algonquincollege.com/lts/academic-continuity/

Digital Learning Environment – Knowledge Base: https://www.algonquincollege.com/DLEKB/