Getting Help and Support
This guide provides comprehensive information about how to get help, access support resources, and find solutions to your sc.sb questions and issues.
Support Resources Overview
Self-Service Resources
Documentation and Guides:
- Comprehensive platform documentation
- Step-by-step tutorials and guides
- Best practices and recommendations
- Troubleshooting guides and solutions
Knowledge Base:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Common issues and solutions
- Feature explanations and usage guides
- Platform updates and announcements
Community Resources:
- User forums and discussions
- Community knowledge sharing
- Peer support and assistance
- Feature requests and feedback
Professional Support
Technical Support:
- Platform-specific technical assistance
- Service configuration and optimization
- Performance troubleshooting
- Integration and customization help
Administrative Support:
- Access management and permissions
- User account and group management
- Security and compliance assistance
- Organizational setup and configuration
How to Get Help
Step 1: Self-Service Resources
Before Contacting Support:
- Search Documentation - Look for existing guides and solutions
- Check FAQ - Review frequently asked questions
- Use Troubleshooting Guide - Follow step-by-step troubleshooting
- Search Community Forums - Look for similar issues and solutions
Self-Service Benefits:
- Immediate access to information
- 24/7 availability
- Comprehensive coverage of common issues
- Learning opportunity for future reference
Step 2: Contact Your Administrator
For Organization-Specific Issues:
- Access and permission problems
- Account setup and configuration
- Group membership and service access
- Organizational policy questions
When to Contact Your Administrator:
- Cannot access the platform
- Missing services or permissions
- Account-related issues
- Policy and compliance questions
Step 3: Platform Support
For Technical Issues:
- Platform bugs and errors
- Service availability problems
- Performance and optimization issues
- Integration and customization help
When to Contact Platform Support:
- Issues persist after trying self-service resources
- Technical problems not covered in documentation
- Service outages or widespread issues
- Feature requests and suggestions
Support Channels
Built-in Support
Dashboard Support:
- Help and documentation links
- Support contact information
- Status updates and announcements
- Quick access to common resources
In-Platform Help:
- Contextual help and tooltips
- Guided tours and tutorials
- Interactive help and assistance
- Real-time support chat (when available)
External Support Channels
Email Support:
- Detailed issue descriptions
- File attachments and screenshots
- Formal support ticket system
- Documentation and follow-up
Phone Support:
- Immediate assistance for critical issues
- Complex technical discussions
- Real-time problem resolution
- Escalation for urgent matters
Online Support Portal:
- Support ticket management
- Knowledge base access
- Community forums and discussions
- Status updates and notifications
Preparing for Support
Information to Gather
Before Contacting Support:
- Error Messages - Exact text of any error messages
- Steps to Reproduce - Detailed steps that led to the issue
- Browser Information - Browser type, version, and operating system
- Network Details - Connection type and any network issues
- Screenshots - Visual evidence of the problem
- Account Information - Your organization and user details
Additional Information:
- Timeline - When the issue started and frequency
- Impact - How the issue affects your work
- Previous Solutions - What you've already tried
- Related Issues - Any similar problems you've experienced
Support Request Best Practices
Writing Effective Support Requests:
- Clear Subject Line - Descriptive title for your issue
- Detailed Description - Comprehensive explanation of the problem
- Step-by-Step Instructions - How to reproduce the issue
- Expected vs. Actual Behavior - What should happen vs. what does happen
- Priority Level - How urgent the issue is for your work
Following Up:
- Provide Additional Information - Respond promptly to support requests
- Test Solutions - Try suggested solutions and report results
- Document Resolution - Keep records of how issues were resolved
- Share Knowledge - Help others with similar issues
Support Levels and Response Times
Support Tiers
Basic Support:
- Self-service resources and documentation
- Community forums and peer support
- Standard response times for non-critical issues
- General platform assistance
Enhanced Support:
- Priority access to technical support
- Faster response times for critical issues
- Dedicated support representative
- Advanced troubleshooting and optimization
Enterprise Support:
- Dedicated support team
- 24/7 support for critical issues
- Proactive monitoring and assistance
- Custom solutions and integrations
Response Time Expectations
Standard Response Times:
- Critical Issues - 2-4 hours during business hours
- High Priority - 4-8 hours during business hours
- Medium Priority - 1-2 business days
- Low Priority - 3-5 business days
Factors Affecting Response Time:
- Issue complexity and severity
- Support tier and service level
- Time of day and business hours
- Volume of support requests
Common Support Scenarios
Account and Access Issues
Common Problems:
- Cannot log in to the platform
- Missing services or permissions
- Access denied errors
- Account configuration issues
Support Process:
- Verify Credentials - Check username and password
- Check Group Membership - Verify Azure AD group membership
- Contact Administrator - Reach out to your organization's admin
- Escalate to Support - Contact platform support if needed
Service and Performance Issues
Common Problems:
- Services not working or responding slowly
- Connection and network issues
- Performance and optimization problems
- Service availability issues
Support Process:
- Check Service Status - Review service availability and alerts
- Test Connection - Verify network connectivity and settings
- Try Troubleshooting - Follow troubleshooting guides
- Contact Support - Report persistent issues
Technical and Integration Issues
Common Problems:
- Browser compatibility issues
- API integration problems
- Custom configuration issues
- Third-party integration problems
Support Process:
- Check Documentation - Review technical documentation
- Test Compatibility - Verify browser and system compatibility
- Review Configuration - Check settings and configuration
- Contact Support - Get technical assistance
Escalation Procedures
When to Escalate
Escalate to Higher Support Levels:
- Issues persist after initial support attempts
- Critical business impact or security concerns
- Complex technical problems requiring expertise
- Service outages affecting multiple users
Escalation Process:
- Document the Issue - Provide comprehensive details
- Request Escalation - Ask for higher-level support
- Provide Justification - Explain why escalation is needed
- Follow Up - Monitor progress and provide additional information
Emergency Procedures
Critical Issues:
- Security breaches or suspicious activity
- Widespread service outages
- Data loss or corruption
- System-wide performance problems
Emergency Response:
- Immediate Action - Take necessary security measures
- Contact Support - Use emergency support channels
- Document Everything - Record all details and actions
- Follow Instructions - Cooperate with incident response
Feedback and Improvement
Providing Feedback
Types of Feedback:
- Feature Requests - Suggestions for new features
- Improvement Ideas - Ways to enhance existing features
- User Experience - Feedback on usability and design
- Documentation - Suggestions for improving guides and help
How to Provide Feedback:
- Use Feedback Channels - Official feedback and suggestion forms
- Participate in Surveys - User research and feedback surveys
- Community Discussions - Share ideas in community forums
- Direct Contact - Reach out to support with feedback
Contributing to Knowledge
Ways to Contribute:
- Share Solutions - Help others with similar issues
- Document Processes - Create guides and tutorials
- Participate in Forums - Answer questions and provide assistance
- Report Issues - Help identify and resolve problems
Support Resources by Topic
Getting Started
- Platform Overview - Understanding sc.sb capabilities
- Account Setup - Creating and configuring accounts
- First Steps - Initial platform navigation and usage
- Basic Configuration - Essential settings and preferences
Service-Specific Help
- Storage Services - File storage and database services
- Cluster Services - High-performance computing clusters
- Media Services - Media processing and streaming
- GPU Services - Graphics processing and AI acceleration
Advanced Topics
- API Integration - Programmatic access and customization
- Security Configuration - Advanced security settings
- Performance Optimization - Maximizing platform performance
- Compliance and Governance - Meeting regulatory requirements
Next Steps
- Learn about [Account Setup and Management](account setup/account-setup.md)
- Understand Service Types and Capabilities
- Explore Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Review Best Practices
Effective use of support resources will help you resolve issues quickly and make the most of the sc.sb platform. Don't hesitate to reach out for help when you need it.