IT Forum
3-17-2011
Connie Wisdo
Jeff O’Malley
IT Development & Applications
 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
 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
 Argos is Web-based, for campus-wide accessibility
 Flexible and intuitive enough to be used and administered
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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.
1.
2.
3.
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:
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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
Members: Valerie Taylor, Connie Wisdo, Helen Stager, Robyn
Dickinson, Bill Buckley, Mary Kay Aston, Andrea Mulrine,
Maureen Castaldi, Denise Gurz
Initial Tasks
1.
2.
3.
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5.
6.
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
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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
1.
2.
3.
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)
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4.
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
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Process, documentation, and training plan developed
5.
6.
7.
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
 Fluent Argos use by ITDA developers and business
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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
 Evisions Web site (www.evisions.com) contains
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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