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LA Unified teachers should have fewer problems getting their Fall term grades in and their report cards out before the winter break, thanks to a new computer help program launched yesterday. The new service request system has been years in the planning.

Teachers and staff can get technical help with computers, applications, internet and other technology issues at school. It prevents long waiting time over the phone, and it is this time of the year when teachers will be recording grades and when the most problems arise with the MiSiS system and other technological issues.

The school district’s Informational Technology Division posted a video, which provides instructions on how the new system will make it easier to get help.

The service center is in the first phase. The second phase will include questions about payroll, accounts payable, food services and also involve a mobile device. Sam Gilstrap, a district spokesman, said so far the new online help service has not received more calls than usual and that no problems with the system have been reported.

Ultimately, however, LAUSD has also added to its ever-perpetuating alphabet soup. In the new instructions, the new online IT is now referred to as SRS (Service Request System) and is powered by BMC Remedy On Demand that replaces CSS (Customer Self Service).