Argos Reporting Tool for Banner

1. Argos Reporting Tool for Banner IT Forum 3-17-2011 Connie Wisdo Jeff O’Malley IT Development & Applications

2. What is Argos? • Argos is a Web enabled reporting tool designed from feedback of institutions utilizing SunGard’s Banner ERP system • Can be used for: • Quick views of Banner/Oracle data , based on ad hoc queries • More sophisticated/complex downloads of Banner data into spreadsheets, where it can be further analyzed , formatted, etc. • “Banded” reports – i.e. PDF documents containing formatted Banner output • Advanced dashboards and data (OLAP) cubes

3. What is Argos? • Argos was designed to allow all types of users to access the information they need in the formats they want • Argos has built-in functionality for scheduling and delivery which automates report distribution • Argos fits the University’s new Information Management model • Provides accessibility to data in a secure manner • Supports the need for Business Intelligence by our administrative and academic decision makers

4. Features of Argos We Like • Argos is Web-based, for campus-wide accessibility • Flexible and intuitive enough to be used and administered by the University’s Data and Technology Coordinators • Will significantly decrease the time it currently takes to obtain new or modified departmental reports, custom correspondence, etc. from ITDA • Integrated with the University’s my.scranton portal • Argos expands the available methods of report or letter generation beyond standard printing, to include PDF documents, email messages, Excel downloads, and Web postings • Argos is database-agnostic, meaning it can be used with Oracle, MS Access, SQL Server, etc.

5. Goals for our Argos Reporting Initiative • Deployment of reporting tools that allow more efficient work environments • Enhance access to data and provide tools and procedures for consistent reporting and analysis across operational areas • Implement a reporting tool that does the following: • Allows for staff across operational areas to access reports that will provide consistent numbers without being an expert in each area • Provides the kind of additional detail that an analyst in the operational area would need • Allows for some analysis beyond just generating counts of numbers or lists of names (e.g. executive dashboard) • Helps the University Community use the reports securely - maintains the integrity of the data while allowing access to those who need it • Can be used by IT and customers, alike

6. Argos Steering Committee Members: Valerie Taylor, Connie Wisdo, Helen Stager, Robyn Dickinson, Bill Buckley, Mary Kay Aston, Andrea Mulrine, Maureen Castaldi, Denise Gurz Initial Tasks • Refinement of project’s goals • Assistance with obtaining University commitment to the goals • Engagement with Evisions’ Professional Services for readiness analysis • Assistance with implementation plan • Work towards remedying any identified deficiencies for successful project implementation • Interface with Information Management Advisory Committee

7. Argos Implementation TimelineTasks Accomplished in 2009 • Risk Assessment, Implementation Timeline, High Level (Report) Conversion Plan, and Resource Plan • Hands-on Argos training for over 20 people • Identification of first round Pilot departments (per Steering Committee) – Admissions, Advancement, Finance, Registrar • Test and Production MAPS servers for Argos initially configured • Implementation of Intellecheck for A/P and Payroll checks • Communication Plan

8. Argos Implementation TimelineTasks Accomplished in 2010 • Report Security Methodology, User Account Control Methodology and Departmental Folder Structure set up in Test and Production* • Programming standards for Data Blocks developed • Detailed Conversion Plans for Reports developed (Banner Reports Menu) • This took an intensive analysis effort on the part of ITDA business analysts, and departmental data stewards, e.g. Student Banner Reports menu has 18 sub-menus, containing between 5 and 30 reports!* • First round Pilot departments went live • Process, documentation, and training plan developed

9. Argos Implementation TimelineTasks Accomplished in 2010 • Evisions Professional Services helped pilot users and ITDA to create data blocks and reports in Test • Second round of pilot departments went live– Provost, Human Resources, Financial Aid • Argos Information channel on my.scranton.edu was developed • Contains UofS-specific Argos information, including request process and testing/validation process for Argos reports

10. Argos Information Channel

11. Argos Implementation 2011 • Fluent Argos use by ITDA developers and business application analysts* • Expand the use of Argos to additional departments/users, as needed • Complete the conversion of items in Detailed Conversion Plans, focusing on Banner Reports Menu first • Convert ITDA’s report development processes to primarily utilize Argos (i.e. no more C programs, if we can help it!) • Facilitate the use of Argos by BIQuery users • Launch Web page with more Argos resources and information

12. How Can You Learn More? • Evisions Web site (www.evisions.com) contains comprehensive information about Argos • Weekly, free, web-based training is offered by Evisions (www.evisions.com/calendar) • Data and Technology Coordinator meetings will feature “show & tell” • my.scranton.edu Employee Applications tab will contain University-specific Argos information • Jeff O’Malley offers tutorial sessions as needed, to help new users

13. Evisions Free Online Live Training

14. Argos Demo