News From the ITS Help Desk - April 2025

Help Desk Hours and Location

The ITS Help Desk is located in the Library on the Santa Maria campus and offers in-person support from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If issues arise, please submit tickets via ithelp.hancockcollege.edu or by emailing ithelp@hancockcollege.edu to automatically generate a ticket request based on email. Please do not email individuals directly; If that individual is on vacation or otherwise unavailable, your email may be missed until their return.

Essential Articles and Ticket Requests

Updates from Technology Council and Committees

  • Web Services Committee
  • Educational Technology Advisory Committee (EdTAC)
    • Schedule: Meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday, from 2:30-4:00 pm.
    • No Update
  • Banner Committee
    • Schedule: Meetings are held monthly, usually on the 2nd Monday, from 9:00 - 10:30 am.
    • No Update
  • Technology Council
    • Schedule: Meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday, from 2:30-4:00 pm.
    • Update: LVC will have a network upgrade from 1Gb to 10Gb bandwidth on 4/25/25. An expected network outage will result beginning at 5PM.

🧠 Quantum Computing: The Future Is Weird — and Powerful 

You may have heard the term “quantum computer” tossed around like sci-fi tech, but real-world breakthroughs are happening — and fast.

 

Unlike traditional computers that use bits (0 or 1), quantum computers use qubits — which can be both 0 and 1 at the same time. Even wilder? Researchers are exploring qudits (quantum digits), which can hold more than two states, making them even more information-dense and efficient. 

So why does this matter? 

Here’s how quantum tech is already being explored in the real world: 

🔬 Drug Discovery: Companies like Pfizer and Roche are using quantum simulation to model molecules — something classical computers struggle to do accurately — helping speed up new treatments. 

🚕 Traffic Optimization: Volkswagen tested quantum route planning for taxis in Beijing, analyzing thousands of possible routes simultaneously to find the most efficient ones. 

🔐 Cybersecurity: Quantum computers could eventually break current encryption, leading governments and institutions to develop quantum-resistant algorithms today. 

💸 Finance: JPMorgan Chase uses quantum modeling for risk and portfolio analysis, allowing faster, more accurate financial decisions. 

🧠 AI & Machine Learning: Google and IBM are exploring quantum-assisted training for algorithms, opening new frontiers for artificial intelligence. 

While these computers aren’t replacing your desktop anytime soon, they’re redefining what’s possible in science, finance, medicine, and security. 

March 2025 Ticket Summary

Here’s a brief overview of ITS activity:
Total Tickets (Whole Department)

  • January: 714
  • February: 418
  • March: 431

Location-less Tickets

264 tickets had no location specified.

Lompoc Valley Campus (LVC) Tickets

11 tickets originated from the Lompoc Valley Campus.

Top 5 Forms Used at LVC:

  1. Something Broke (iPaaS): 6
  2. Problem Form: 3
  3. Install Something: 1
  4. Surplus Pick Up: 1

Only 4 unique forms were used in March.

5 Most Common Request Locations:

  1. LVC 1 - 110: 3
  2. LVC 9 : 2
  3. LVC 3 - 108A : 1
  4. LVC 1 - 103: 1
  5. LVC 5 - 114: 1
     

Santa Maria Valley Campus (SM) Tickets

155 tickets originated from the Santa Maria Valley Campus.

Top 5 Forms Used at SM Campus:

  1. Something Broke (iPaaS): 77
  2. Install Something: 35
  3. Classroom/Cart Maintenance Request: 9
  4. Service Request: 8
  5. Audio/Visual Event Request: 8

5 Most Common Request Locations:

  1. Building A - 101: 7
  2. Building B - 207: 5
  3. Building K - 11: 5
  4. Building S - 103: 5
  5. Building F - 209 : 4
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