Enterprise Information System http://eis.unt.edu/atom/feed 2008-03-07T18:20:11-06:00 Imaging Application Integrates with EIS http://eis.unt.edu/node/150 2008-07-07T12:50:56-05:00 2008-07-07T12:52:07-05:00 Anonymous Tracy Hansen, Computer Systems Manager, Enterprise Systems Technical Services, CITC
UNT is currently implementing the ImageNow electronic document management, imaging and workflow solution by Perceptive Software in several areas across campus where paper-intensive processes hinder efficiency. ImageNow integrates with EIS applications to give users instant access to document images directly from their EIS screens rather than having to leave their desks to search for paper files. With a button click on an EIS transaction record, users can view all the corresponding paperwork in ImageNow. Additionally, ImageNow Workflow allows electronic routing of the documents.

]]> Tracy Hansen, Computer Systems Manager, Enterprise Systems Technical Services, CITC

UNT is currently implementing the ImageNow electronic document management, imaging and workflow solution by Perceptive Software in several areas across campus where paper-intensive processes hinder efficiency. ImageNow integrates with EIS applications to give users instant access to document images directly from their EIS screens rather than having to leave their desks to search for paper files. With a button click on an EIS transaction record, users can view all the corresponding paperwork in ImageNow. Additionally, ImageNow Workflow allows electronic routing of the documents.

Previously, departments used the EC-Imaging system in which paper documents were processed before being scanned and manually indexed into EC-Image. With ImageNow, documents are scanned immediately as they arrive and indexed instantly using LearnMode™ technology that assigns a document index value from the data in EIS. The seamless integration of ImageNow with EIS ensures that users do not have to key in index values, and that all documents are indexed accurately, immediately visible in the system and processed in a fraction of the time.

Phase 1 of the ImageNow implementation is near completion. Purchasing and Payment Services, and the Controller’s Office are in production using the software. Phase 2 will include the areas of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Human Resources, Registrar, and Graduate Admissions. UNT will also roll out ImageNow to the Center for Students Rights and Responsibilities, Advancement, International Studies and Academic Affairs. Using ImageNow, administrative offices can capture all documents upfront, link them to the corresponding student records in EIS, and electronically route documents to the employees that need to review them, rather than physically delivering packets of paper that can get lost or delayed. Reviewers in academic departments will receive an e-mail alert when documents arrive in their workflow queues, resulting in a quicker turn-around time.

ImageNow helps create process efficiencies. Its reporting capabilities also allow managers to refine their processes by seeing how long documents sit in certain queues in order to identify and eliminate bottlenecks.

]]> EIS Partners with UNT's ImageNow Project http://eis.unt.edu/node/149 2008-07-07T12:50:12-05:00 2008-07-07T12:50:44-05:00 Anonymous The CITC Infrastructure & Technical Services Team (ITS) handled all of the hardware and operating system setup to support ImageNow. They helped in configuring the network for the servers that house the imaging software. This was a unique setup as it was not installed in the area where ITS normally has MS Windows servers. It was installed under the campus active directory that is managed by the CITC Directory Services Team. Extensive testing was conducted by ITS to ensure everything would work appropriately. ITS received significant help from the CITC divisions of Communication Services and Enterprise Systems Technical Services during the setup. Another aspect of the work done was setting up the fax portion of ImageNow which included work from the CITC Data Communications team managed by CR Chevli.

]]> The CITC Infrastructure & Technical Services Team (ITS) handled all of the hardware and operating system setup to support ImageNow. They helped in configuring the network for the servers that house the imaging software. This was a unique setup as it was not installed in the area where ITS normally has MS Windows servers. It was installed under the campus active directory that is managed by the CITC Directory Services Team. Extensive testing was conducted by ITS to ensure everything would work appropriately. ITS received significant help from the CITC divisions of Communication Services and Enterprise Systems Technical Services during the setup. Another aspect of the work done was setting up the fax portion of ImageNow which included work from the CITC Data Communications team managed by CR Chevli.

“The co-operation and camaraderie in and among all of these groups to facilitate this set up was very exciting as each group had to work continually together to make this new setup work for this high-profile application,” said Michael Heredia, ITS Computer Systems Manager. “In the past, each group had very distinct duties within the course of an installation. After their particular part was completed, the group was no longer involved and really had no knowledge of the outcome of the installation. It was very refreshing to be part of the whole where all became involved in the solution.”

Working with ImageNow consultants was an important and positive aspect of this project. “The consultants from ImageNow were very friendly and professional, and helped in constructing the environment so as to keep the availability of the product to the users 24/7,” said Michael Heredia. “We all worked together to not only make sure the application would be able to run but to also make sure the servers and network were properly secured.” Paula Davis, a member of the EIS Application Infrastructure Management team, worked with the consultants for three weeks getting application software installed on servers. She converted close to 3 million images from the current EC-Image system to ImageNow. In collaboration with staff from UNT Purchasing and Payment Services and the ImageNow consultants, she migrated information for LearnMode into ImageNow. LearnMode does the indexing of the images in ImageNow.

]]> ImageNow Button Facilitates Document Retrieval in EIS http://eis.unt.edu/node/148 2008-07-07T12:49:40-05:00 2008-07-07T12:49:55-05:00 Anonymous The EIS Tools, Applications, Reporting, and Portal team (EISTARP) recently created tools in EIS that allow systems developers to easily incorporate ImageNow document retrieval into desired EIS pages. “These tools will expedite the process of incorporating ImageNow into EIS with minimal training for the developers,” said Ginny Richards, Administrative Computing Team Manager, EIS Tools Support. “A developer simply adds a “button” to the page or subpage, does a little configuration, and voilà, functional users with the proper security access are able to click the button to retrieve any scanned documents related to the item they are looking at in EIS.”

]]> The EIS Tools, Applications, Reporting, and Portal team (EISTARP) recently created tools in EIS that allow systems developers to easily incorporate ImageNow document retrieval into desired EIS pages. “These tools will expedite the process of incorporating ImageNow into EIS with minimal training for the developers,” said Ginny Richards, Administrative Computing Team Manager, EIS Tools Support. “A developer simply adds a “button” to the page or subpage, does a little configuration, and voilà, functional users with the proper security access are able to click the button to retrieve any scanned documents related to the item they are looking at in EIS.”

]]> Financial Aid Fact Book http://eis.unt.edu/node/147 2008-07-07T12:49:10-05:00 2008-07-07T12:49:32-05:00 Anonymous The Financial Aid and Scholarships Systems Data Team (FASSDT) have been working closely with the Director and Associate Directors in UNT Denton Financial Aid and Scholarships to create and design Cognos reports from the EIS data warehouse database. The reports developed are allowing Financial Aid and Scholarships to create a fact book containing historical data analysis of information, such as number of financial aid recipients, student’s calculated financial need, and the type of aid awarded to meet the student’s need. Analysis of past financial aid trends will allow the administration to better determine the financial aid funding needed for upcoming years. It also allows the Financial Aid and Scholarships office to evaluate the information to make sure that UNT is using the current level of funding to best meet the financial need of students.

]]> The Financial Aid and Scholarships Systems Data Team (FASSDT) have been working closely with the Director and Associate Directors in UNT Denton Financial Aid and Scholarships to create and design Cognos reports from the EIS data warehouse database. The reports developed are allowing Financial Aid and Scholarships to create a fact book containing historical data analysis of information, such as number of financial aid recipients, student’s calculated financial need, and the type of aid awarded to meet the student’s need. Analysis of past financial aid trends will allow the administration to better determine the financial aid funding needed for upcoming years. It also allows the Financial Aid and Scholarships office to evaluate the information to make sure that UNT is using the current level of funding to best meet the financial need of students.

The reports are available to the Financial Aid users through the myUNT Portal, and can be accessed anytime for the most up-to-date information. The completion of this project is a milestone in allowing Financial Aid and Scholarships the ability to provide quick and accurate responses to requests involving financial aid information from both within and outside UNT.

]]> CRM Project Update http://eis.unt.edu/node/146 2008-07-07T12:47:59-05:00 2008-07-07T12:48:53-05:00 Anonymous The Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) application provides a new prospect recruitment system. The CRM team is comprised of project members from the UNT Admission's offices and AIS (Administrative Information Systems) developers in UNT's Computing & Information Technology Center (CITC). CRM was implemented in the UNT Graduate Admission's area during the project's Phase I (see "Graduate Admissions Improves Recruitment Capabilities with CRM"). Undergraduate Admissions is expected to go into production with CRM by mid-October 2008.
Dr. Troy Johnson, Vice-President for Enrollment Management, recently sent the following message to campus audiences:
Below is a Ten Point Summary of our current phase with CRM.  It's a major step as you'll read.  It's expensive and takes lots of effort from many corners.  I cannot overstate how critical this is to our operations.  Mostly, CRM is full of opportunity for UNT.

]]> The Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) application provides a new prospect recruitment system. The CRM team is comprised of project members from the UNT Admission's offices and AIS (Administrative Information Systems) developers in UNT's Computing & Information Technology Center (CITC). CRM was implemented in the UNT Graduate Admission's area during the project's Phase I (see "Graduate Admissions Improves Recruitment Capabilities with CRM"). Undergraduate Admissions is expected to go into production with CRM by mid-October 2008.
Dr. Troy Johnson, Vice-President for Enrollment Management, recently sent the following message to campus audiences:

Below is a Ten Point Summary of our current phase with CRM.  It's a major step as you'll read.  It's expensive and takes lots of effort from many corners.  I cannot overstate how critical this is to our operations.  Mostly, CRM is full of opportunity for UNT.

  1. Future CRM Use at UNT.  We will have established significant technical resource infrastructure to support further development of CRM at UNT.
  2. Critical Firsts for Undergraduate Admissions.  Undergraduate Admissions will be enabled for the first time to conduct electronic and print communication with prospects and potential prospects from within the same system.
  3. Replacement of 20 Year Old Prospect System.  By the end of this phase, we will be enabled by CRM to retire a legacy undergraduate prospect system that has been in place for more than two decades. 
  4. Applicant to Enrollment Tracking.  CRM will enable us to significantly enhance our ability to respond to SAT and ACT profile data, target and market to high scorers and ensure effective applicant to enrollment tracking.
  5. Custom Data Entry and Search List Use.  By the end of this phase, we will be enabled by CRM to more effectively use purchased student search lists, achieve direct capture of web-based student inquires, and streamline manual data capture with a custom data entry solution.
  6. Enhanced Deduping of Records.  A single effective instance of each individual in CRM will be maintained by means of a custom deduping solution that will also facilitate EmplID matching in Campus Solutions.
  7. Immediate Creation and Update of Files. As prospects submit applications or test scores, processes will ensure that these individuals are also created/updated in CRM.
  8. Batch Processes for High Volume Distribution.  We will have CRM batch process support for the high volume distribution of core undergraduate print collateral, such as view books, housing, financial aid, scholarships, Honors College, etc., as well as the ability to integrate immediate online delivery into recruitment communication flow. 
  9. Recruitment Targeting.  We will have the ability to use campaign and web dialog functionality to target specific segments of the undergraduate prospect pool, as well as to promote recruitment events.
  10. Evaluation Tools.  We will have the ability to develop the reports we need to manage our business process and better evaluate the effectiveness of our undergraduate recruitment efforts. 

“Please note that reaching functional maturity with these aspects of CRM will take us most of a full cycle of use, through September 2009,” said Dr. Johnson.  “Also, progress and experience continue to grow following phase one, CRM installation and graduate recruitment.”

]]> Student Records System Development Activities http://eis.unt.edu/node/145 2008-07-07T12:47:14-05:00 2008-07-07T12:47:53-05:00 Anonymous EIS functional areas are supported by teams of system developers. This quarter we take a look at the technical activities of the Student Records System Development team lead by Linda Wallace. This team supports the areas of student records, admissions, and contributor relations at UNT.
For Admissions, work is progressing on the Funnel Report. The report compares Admissions data week by week with numbers from the previous year at the same point in time. The report will be produced using Cognos; go-live is scheduled for the end of the summer. Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions staff will benefit by having significant time freed up that currently is taken up with manually pulling and calculating the data for this report.

]]> EIS functional areas are supported by teams of system developers. This quarter we take a look at the technical activities of the Student Records System Development team lead by Linda Wallace. This team supports the areas of student records, admissions, and contributor relations at UNT.

For Admissions, work is progressing on the Funnel Report. The report compares Admissions data week by week with numbers from the previous year at the same point in time. The report will be produced using Cognos; go-live is scheduled for the end of the summer. Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions staff will benefit by having significant time freed up that currently is taken up with manually pulling and calculating the data for this report.

For Student Records, many development hours are focused on addressing requirements to enforce the “6 drop limit rule” required by SB1231. Students reenrolling in Texas public institutions of higher education for the first time beginning in fall 2007 or after may drop a total of six courses. This total includes any course a transfer student has dropped at another Texas public institution of higher education. This does not apply to courses dropped prior to the census date or courses dropped with a grade of WF, and do not apply if the student withdraws for the term or session. Students enrolled prior to Fall 2007 are not affected by this legislation.

For Contributor Relations (CR), team members collaborated with the Data Warehouse & Reporting Infrastructure Team to provide reporting using the data warehouse and the Cognos Query Studio. CR functional users can now do ad hoc reporting easily and efficiently. Additionally, a new Communications Report was developed that allows CR functional users to identify and communicate with UNT contributors who need follow up contact.

]]> When The Lights Go Out http://eis.unt.edu/node/144 2008-07-07T12:46:00-05:00 2008-07-07T12:47:04-05:00 Anonymous EIS is very dependent on electronic resources to sustain its functionality. This quarter we look at the backup system used for power outages.

]]> EIS is very dependent on electronic resources to sustain its functionality. This quarter we look at the backup system used for power outages.

  1. In case of power failure to the GAB and Discovery Park (DP), what is the power source?
    • GAB - a very large UPS (universal power source) containing 80 truck-size type batteries that auto-switches to a generator
    • Discovery Park - UPS only. There is a generator at DP installed on an outdoor pad but not yet hooked up to the UPS. It should, before the end of the year, be connected as the power source to which the DP UPS will auto-switch.
  2. How long will the power source run?
    • GAB UPS - switchover time to generator is about 9 seconds, then generator runs indefinitely, given fuel as needed
    • DP UPS – potential UPS run time before failure is about 2 hrs; the generator, once in place, will run indefinitely, given fuel as needed
  3. How is power source fueled?
    • Both UPS units are recharged by city power
    • Both generators are diesel
  4. Who is responsible for this backup system?
    • The UPS units and generators are maintained by UNT Facilities; monitoring is conducted by Computer Operations, CITC Infrastructure & Technical Services.
      • ]]> UNT HR and CITC Partner in PS Query Training Effort http://eis.unt.edu/node/143 2008-07-07T12:44:24-05:00 2008-07-07T12:45:39-05:00 Anonymous The UNT HR department recently adopted a new paradigm for HR staff to query EIS data. Rather than having one staff person responsible for all query requests, there is a "super user" in each HR area that received extensive training on the use of PS Query 8.9 to prepare them for their new responsibility. These users are supported by HR staffer, Tony Mitchell, who has IT experience. Tony is referred to by HR staff as the "PS Query super-super user".

      ]]>       The UNT HR department recently adopted a new paradigm for HR staff to query EIS data. Rather than having one staff person responsible for all query requests, there is a "super user" in each HR area that received extensive training on the use of PS Query 8.9 to prepare them for their new responsibility. These users are supported by HR staffer, Tony Mitchell, who has IT experience. Tony is referred to by HR staff as the "PS Query super-super user".

      The training that HR super-users received was a collaborative effort between CITC and HR. Over the period of a week, staff attended two types of training sessions conducted by CITC staff. Steve Vrbka, Application Team Manager for Payroll/HR Systems, lead information discussions on the PeopleSoft tables and data that the queries would touch. The first session was a high-level overview and the second session dealt with tables relating to specific HR areas, such as Benefits and Compensation. Session attendees also participated in PS Query 8.9 training lead by Cathy Gonzalez, EIS Training, Communications and Administration Manager. This training gave them hands-on experience learning the PS Query 8.9 functionality while performing exercises using the knowledge acquired in the information discussions. Tony Mitchell has continued the learning experience in subsequent weeks by conducting weekly follow-ups in the HR training lab. During these sessions, HR "super users" get assistance with query questions that come up as they become proficient in conducting query tasks. Feedback from the users indicates this training model has worked very well for them. From the IT perspective, the level of training these users received was imperative for ensuring queries are being run by people who are savvy about the impact queries have on EIS resources.

      The benefits of using this support and training model have been multi-dimensional. On the HR side, users are more knowledgeable about their tables and data as well as becoming more independent to run queries when needed. Super users can make small edits to existing queries without having to wait for support from a CITC system developer. Now they can test and troublshoot their queries with the help of their HR “super super” user prior to running them in production. This approach frees up system developers to tackle only query problems beyond the scope of the “super super” user, and to focus on the many projects and support issues needed by functional areas.

      ]]>             EIS Compatibility in IE7 http://eis.unt.edu/node/95 2008-04-01T11:40:58-05:00 2008-04-02T14:39:27-05:00 Anonymous There has been some confusion lately regarding whether or not Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) is a supported browser for using EIS. Oracle/PeopleSoft has confirmed that IE7 is supported, so UNTS users upgrading to IE7 need not be concerned.
      For more information regarding supported browsers, please see the "Browser Requirements" section on the myUNT portal home page at http://my.unt.edu/.

      ]]>       There has been some confusion lately regarding whether or not Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) is a supported browser for using EIS. Oracle/PeopleSoft has confirmed that IE7 is supported, so UNTS users upgrading to IE7 need not be concerned.

      For more information regarding supported browsers, please see the "Browser Requirements" section on the myUNT portal home page at http://my.unt.edu/.

      ]]>             PeopleSoft Financials Upgrade to 9.0 Begins http://eis.unt.edu/node/94 2008-03-10T18:13:32-05:00 2008-03-10T18:13:32-05:00 Anonymous The University of North Texas System (UNTS) is upgrading from PeopleSoft’s Financials 8.4 to version 9.0. This upgrade gives UNTS new and enhanced functionality and allows for continued support from Oracle/PeopleSoft of the Financials applications until 2012. Some of the new features will enhance reporting capabilities and make use of newer XML technology. PeopleSoft is also delivering new features to enhance performance, including system monitoring and the ability to archive older transactional data to free up valuable data storage space.

      The project is a collaborative effort between UNT and HSC administrative functional support areas and UNT’s Computing and Information Technology Center (CITC). The upgrade team consists of several CITC technical teams and functional representatives supporting financial reporting and accounting, budgets, E-procurement, purchasing and payments, assets, grants and projects, as well as the support of multiple UNTS internal departments and external entities that interface with the Financials system.

      ]]>       The University of North Texas System (UNTS) is upgrading from PeopleSoft’s Financials 8.4 to version 9.0. This upgrade gives UNTS new and enhanced functionality and allows for continued support from Oracle/PeopleSoft of the Financials applications until 2012. Some of the new features will enhance reporting capabilities and make use of newer XML technology. PeopleSoft is also delivering new features to enhance performance, including system monitoring and the ability to archive older transactional data to free up valuable data storage space.

      The project is a collaborative effort between UNT and HSC administrative functional support areas and UNT’s Computing and Information Technology Center (CITC). The upgrade team consists of several CITC technical teams and functional representatives supporting financial reporting and accounting, budgets, E-procurement, purchasing and payments, assets, grants and projects, as well as the support of multiple UNTS internal departments and external entities that interface with the Financials system.

      The planning phase of the upgrade to version 9.0 has begun with an anticipated go-live in the spring of 2009. While that is a year away, there is a lot to accomplish to ensure that this first major upgrade to EIS Financials is a success. Check future EIS status reports for updates on our progress and important announcements. An announcement will soon be made regarding the release of an EIS 9.0 upgrade site on the Web where project status information/progress will be posted.

      ]]>             EIS Data Linked to Eagle Alert System http://eis.unt.edu/node/93 2008-03-10T18:12:30-05:00 2008-03-10T18:12:30-05:00 Anonymous UNT has implemented an emergency information system for the campus community that is supported with data from EIS. The messaging system is named Eagle Alert and allows UNT administrators to quickly contact students and employees by phone about emergency situations affecting the safety and well being of people on and around the campus. The system also can send text messages to cell phones if a person grants the system permission.

      The Eagle Alert system only notifies currently enrolled students and employees of the University of North Texas and the UNT Dallas Campus (Systems Center) - former students and employees do not receive messages. The UNT Health Science Center is expected to go-live on February 29th with a similar system named Red Alert.

      ]]>       UNT has implemented an emergency information system for the campus community that is supported with data from EIS. The messaging system is named Eagle Alert and allows UNT administrators to quickly contact students and employees by phone about emergency situations affecting the safety and well being of people on and around the campus. The system also can send text messages to cell phones if a person grants the system permission.

      The Eagle Alert system only notifies currently enrolled students and employees of the University of North Texas and the UNT Dallas Campus (Systems Center) - former students and employees do not receive messages. The UNT Health Science Center is expected to go-live on February 29th with a similar system named Red Alert.

      In the event of an emergency, students and employees eligible for Eagle Alert receive a voice message (and a test message if opted in) to all telephone numbers in EIS that are associated with their EUID. Students and employees can change a phone number, add additional numbers, and elect to receive text messages by logging in to the MyUNT portal. These changes to the EIS database are uploaded daily and become effective within 24 hours of being changed within the portal.

      ]]>             Payroll Change for Direct Deposit Statements http://eis.unt.edu/node/92 2008-03-10T18:10:33-05:00 2008-03-10T18:10:33-05:00 Anonymous Beginning with the March 3, 2008, paychecks, the Payroll Office will no longer print the direct deposit statements for most employees.

      Employees can log into the MyUNT Portal (http://my.unt.edu) to view or print their earning statement. Only employees who receive their paycheck by direct deposit are effected by this change.

      To view and print a copy of their direct deposit statement, employees should follow these steps:

      1. Login to http://my.unt.edu.
      2. Under System Login, enter your EUID and enterprise password.
      3. Click the Sign In button.
      4. Select the Employee tab.
      5. In the Human Resource – UNT panel, under Payroll, Taxes, and Salary, click the View Paycheck link.
      6. Choose the paycheck date that you want to view/print.
      7. To print your statement, click the print button on the toolbar that appears.
      ]]>       Beginning with the March 3, 2008, paychecks, the Payroll Office will no longer print the direct deposit statements for most employees.

      Employees can log into the MyUNT Portal (http://my.unt.edu) to view or print their earning statement. Only employees who receive their paycheck by direct deposit are effected by this change.

      To view and print a copy of their direct deposit statement, employees should follow these steps:

      1. Login to http://my.unt.edu.
      2. Under System Login, enter your EUID and enterprise password.
      3. Click the Sign In button.
      4. Select the Employee tab.
      5. In the Human Resource – UNT panel, under Payroll, Taxes, and Salary, click the View Paycheck link.
      6. Choose the paycheck date that you want to view/print.
      7. To print your statement, click the print button on the toolbar that appears.
      ]]>             CITC Student Records Developers Busy With System Enhancements http://eis.unt.edu/node/91 2008-03-10T18:09:30-05:00 2008-03-10T18:09:30-05:00 Anonymous The Student Records System Development Team (SRSD), lead by Linda Wallace, has been busy supporting student administration efforts in cooperation with the UNT Registrar’s Office. The PeopleSoft 8.9 upgrade (completed in November 2007) delivered significant improvements in student and faculty self-service features. The fabulous new Student Center and Faculty Center accessed through the MyUNT and MyHSC portals provide new functionality to students and faculty. Several students have mentioned to the editor of theEnterprise that the new student center is “wonderful and easy to use” and “makes the registration process much easier.”

      ]]>       The Student Records System Development Team (SRSD), lead by Linda Wallace, has been busy supporting student administration efforts in cooperation with the UNT Registrar’s Office. The PeopleSoft 8.9 upgrade (completed in November 2007) delivered significant improvements in student and faculty self-service features. The fabulous new Student Center and Faculty Center accessed through the MyUNT and MyHSC portals provide new functionality to students and faculty. Several students have mentioned to the editor of theEnterprise that the new student center is “wonderful and easy to use” and “makes the registration process much easier.”

      During the 3rd quarter of the fiscal year, the SRSD team will be implementing a new interactive DARS Web Audit application that works in conjunction with DARS. DARS is the degree audit application that interfaces with PeopleSoft. It provides degree audits to show students their progress toward completing a degree. Additionally, it provides academic advisors with the information they need in order to advise the students. This new application is going to be accessed through the Student Center, and will allow students to run their own interactive degree audits.

      A new product named Degree Completion Planner (DCP) from Miami University in Ohio (who also brought us DARS) is on the horizon for the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar's office is planning to purchase this product in the near future; the SRSD team will participate with EIS users in Student Records to implement and support DCP. This new product will provide students with a way to plan ahead for the courses needed to complete their degree and allow the university to strategically plan for and provide the courses that students need.

      Last year the SRSD team sadly had to deal with the death of a team member, Howard Shaw. He is being fondly remembered, however, in the beginning of March during a tree dedication at the University. The tree is a bur oak and will have a granite plaque next to it in memory of Howard. The tree was paid for by donations from the university community.

      ]]>             New EIS User Work Area http://eis.unt.edu/node/85 2008-03-07T18:23:57-06:00 2008-03-07T18:23:57-06:00 Anonymous Walter Bowen at the new EIS user work area.

      Room RP 203, which is part of the physical space occupied by the Computing and Information Technology Center (CITC) at the Research Park, is undergoing revision. The 22 “cubed” work areas in RP 203 that provided EIS users with work space at the Research Park have been dismantled. The UNT School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is scheduled to being construction for their college in the open area adjacent to where the cubicles formerly existed. The space the cubicles occupied will undergo construction to build additional offices needed to accommodate the growth of CITC.

      ]]>       Walter Bowen at the new EIS user work area.

      Room RP 203, which is part of the physical space occupied by the Computing and Information Technology Center (CITC) at the Research Park, is undergoing revision. The 22 “cubed” work areas in RP 203 that provided EIS users with work space at the Research Park have been dismantled. The UNT School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is scheduled to being construction for their college in the open area adjacent to where the cubicles formerly existed. The space the cubicles occupied will undergo construction to build additional offices needed to accommodate the growth of CITC.

      Ten of the “cubed” work areas, however, have been relocated to a beautifully remodeled room labeled RP 245. Though there are fewer “cube” work areas, the conference area has floor to ceiling windows giving users a breathtaking view of the prairies northeast of the Research Park. Walter Bowen, Associate Director/Director Systems Admission, is already working in the new area. Walter is heading up the effort to implement CRM for undergraduates. The area is available for EIS business users and consultants working on EIS projects in cooperation with CITC. Information regarding the use of the room can be directed to Allen Bradley (allen.bradley@unt.edu), AIS Business and Process Management Manager.

      ]]>             EIS Influential Presence at Oracle/PeopleSoft Conference http://eis.unt.edu/node/90 2008-03-07T18:20:11-06:00 2008-03-07T18:20:11-06:00 Anonymous A Management Certification Report system is now available in EIS. The system is designed to provide a certification process for actual expenditure data. Institutional managers are able to view their expenditures during the fiscal year and verify that the expenditures look correct on a monthly basis. Individuals can also view their expenditures and revenues.

      The report consists of a responsibility page that displays to show the department ID or project ID holder the expenses they are responsible for certifying. A prompt page is available with a variety of criteria to select for filtering the report by business unit or budget period, and the summary data itself. Once a manager has had the opportunity to review the data, there is a button on the page that allows them to certify the results.

      ]]>       A Management Certification Report system is now available in EIS. The system is designed to provide a certification process for actual expenditure data. Institutional managers are able to view their expenditures during the fiscal year and verify that the expenditures look correct on a monthly basis. Individuals can also view their expenditures and revenues.

      The report consists of a responsibility page that displays to show the department ID or project ID holder the expenses they are responsible for certifying. A prompt page is available with a variety of criteria to select for filtering the report by business unit or budget period, and the summary data itself. Once a manager has had the opportunity to review the data, there is a button on the page that allows them to certify the results.

      The system was created with the goal of helping managers to have a more convenient and efficient way to identify when and where their funds are being used. The work to design and develop the system was a collaborative effort between the EIS Finance, Administration and Budgeting, and Business Intelligence Team; the EIS Data Warehouse and Finance teams; and the UNT Budget office.

      The Alliance 2008 conference is an annual event for all higher education, government, and public sector users of Oracle applications. The Alliance conference is organized and managed by the Higher Education User Group (www.heug.org). The 11th annual event for HEUG is to be held March 10-13, 2008.

      Numerous UNT and HSC technical and functional staff have been invited to share information and case studies about EIS for the past five years at the conference due to their level of expertise and innovative solutions in enterprise system fields. This year UNTS and EIS will be represented by the following topics and presenters:

      • “Encumbering Salaries and Benefits,” co-presented by Rong Wang (CITC) and Jean Bush (Budgets) -- provides an overview of UNT's solution to encumber/disencumber salaries and benefits
      • “Budget Reports,” co-presented by Will Senn (CITC) and Jean Bush (Budgets) -- describes and demonstrates UNT's solution for budget reporting using Cognos
      • “Incorporating Cognos Reporting into PeopleSoft at UNT,” presented by Ginny Richards (CITC)
      • “Writing Usable User Documentation,” presented by Cathy Gonzalez (CITC) – workshop highlighting best practices for trainers and writers creating documents and electronic help for Oracle/PeopleSoft products
      • “From PeopleSoft Queries to Oracle Discoverer, Explore the Possibilities,” co-presented by Juana Castillo (HSC), Dona Smith (HSC), and Bob Woelfel (HSC)
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