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Harvard PIN Site Gets a New Look top
In late August, users of the Harvard administrative systems will launch their applications through a newly redesigned PIN site.
Beginning later this month, when a user logs into an application that requires a PIN for authentication, or needs to get or change their PIN, they will be directed to a new website that will have a streamlined look and improved navigation. The new site will be simpler to use. Users will not need to get a new PIN to use the new web pages and the redesign of the site will not change any user system access.
Users will still be able to use the new PIN site to:
- Securely log in to PIN protected web sites,
- Create a new PIN password,
- Reset a PIN password,
- Get topic specific help, and
- Access alternate login choices like XID.
For more information about the PIN system, visit the PIN website.
GE Capital NetService Delays top
On July 24th 2006, GE Capital upgraded their NetService product. NetService is a tool that allows card holders to view transactions and statements and manage their account on-line. Unfortunately, GE experienced major difficulties with the upgrade. Most issues have been resolved, but at this time their customer service 800# is experiencing longer than usual hold times and the processing of applications is back logged by approximately one week. GE has informed Harvard that the situation is improving daily. If card holders are still experiencing problems with NetService they should contact the Travel and Reimbursement Office at 495-7760. The TRO staff will do all they can to assist card holders in obtaining information regarding their account.
Using GE Capital cards to make foreign purchases top
Several GE Capital corporate card holders have reported that when making purchases overseas, some vendors request a PIN number at the time of the transaction. GE has informed us that this is happening because most foreign banks now require a PIN number for all credit card transactions – similar to a debit card transaction. Foreign banks instituted this new procedure to deter an increasing amount of fraud. Credit cards issued by a United States bank do not require a PIN as of yet. GE advises that if foreign vendors request a PIN, card holders simply need to advise the vendor that their GE corporate card was issued by a US bank. The vendor should then be able to process with transaction without a PIN.
PeopleSoft System Will be Unavailable During Release top
Due to a system upgrade (HR Release 14.0), the entire PeopleSoft system will be down from Friday, September 15th at 5 p.m. until Monday, September 18th at 8:00am This will require early time entry of hours for the workweek ending Saturday, September 16th.
HIRES will be prevented from transmitting new hire transactions to PeopleSoft during the outage. The "transmit" button will be grayed out at 5:00pm on May 27th in conjunction with the PeopleSoft access buttons. All other HIRES functionality will continue to be available during this period.
Oracle Internet Directory (OID) Upgrade top
The Oracle Internet Directory (OID) is a system that routes website aliases to actual servers and databases. For most users, OID is a behind-the-scenes tool that invisibly routes requests to the right places. However, CAADS users and users who write ad hoc queries will be affected by some upcoming changes and will need to adjust their local settings in order to continue using SQL*Plus, InfoMaker, People Tools, Brio, and other related tools.
What OID is
Effective September 20th, University Information Systems (UIS) will replace the infrastructure by which end-users and applications connect to servers and databases. OID is an identity management strategy being implemented with the Oracle 10g release.
OID manages the way system aliases, like dwcenprd.harvard.edu, are resolved to the actual location of a database. Aliases are user-friendly, easy to remember names, which are mapped to a physical location whose coordinates include port, server, IP, and host names. OID is required with the release of the Oracle 10g database and replaces Oracle Names Server as the supported access protocol.
OID implements Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) technology which is the growing industry standard to obtain any kind of directory information. A common way to understand LDAP with OID is to compare it to using a directory assistance operator who finds and routes your call to a telephone number based on a person’s name.
Who and what OID affects
Individuals writing ad hoc queries or using CAADS will be affected. This includes people who use SQL*Plus, InfoMaker, TOAD, People Tools, PS Query, Brio, or any other query tool, to connect to and query any University database such as DWCENPRD, DWHRPRD, etc. These users will need to configure their local PCs, and/or laptops, to use OID.
Individuals who only use web-based applications will not be affected. This includes all applications that are accessed via Internet Explorere or other web browsers, such as CREW, Oracle Financial Applications (Web Voucher, PCard, Budget Tool, etc.), Peoplesoft and GMAS.
What affected audiences need to do (Important information for Ad hoc users)
Ad hoc users need to reconfigure the Oracle product directories on their local machine(s) to use OID. The configuration process is fast and easy and simply requires swapping out a couple of files on the local hard drive. Step-by-step specifications and instructions are provided by UIS at http://www.uis.harvard.edu/server_hosting/oid_info.php.
Users who are identified as having ad hoc access to University databases will be contacted directly via e-mail in the coming weeks to notify them of the need to reconfigure their local machine(s), and to provide every opportunity to troubleshoot configuration issues prior to the upgrade.
Ad hoc users include “export” users who pull data into local systems.
Timeline and cut-over dates
| Pilot user conversion: | August 16 – September 1 |
| Ad hoc user direct e-mail: | September 5 |
| Ad hoc user conversion: | September 5 – September 19 |
| Conversion cut-over: | September 20 |
Help resources and additional information about OID and LDAP
A sample group of “pilot” users will test the configuration process and instructions to ensure all connections work properly and that the instructions are clear. The UIS Help Desk has been trained on the process and will be prepared to walk users through any issues that may be encountered. Additionally, school/unit single-point-of-contacts will be provided to the identified ad hoc users.
For more details about OID and LDAP, refer to the following links:
- O’Reilly, LDAP and the Oracle Internet Directory: http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/a/2043
- Oracle Internet Directory: http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/oid/index.html
- LDAP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LDAP
About the e-News top
The Center for Workplace Development publishes this electronic newsletter for users of Harvard University's financial, HR, and reporting systems, policies, and procedures. The e-News is generally published on or around the 15th of each month.
It contains:
- updates on projects underway to build or improve University administrative systems;
- information about new University policies, procedures, and forms;
- reminders about upcoming deadlines and cut-over dates;
- tips and tricks for working more easily or productively.
We welcome questions and suggestions for improvement from readers. If your questions are of general interest, we will answer them in future issues.
Please send comments, questions, or suggestions for improvement by email to us at: admin_systems_enews@harvard.edu.
For information about subscribing or unsubscribing to the eNews notifications, visit our who gets the eNews page.