May, 2017
From the Editor
Another month, another video tip. Be sure to check out the Tips and Tricks section below to view the latest tip: changing the data displayed by a Characteristic. And take a moment to look over the news. We have several items that may interest you.
As always, I hope you find this issue of the Newsletter informative. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future BW Newsletters (and videos!).
Bill Stewart
Reporting News
Fiscal Year Close Webinar – Wednesday, June 7 – 10:00 AM
An online session has been scheduled in which representatives from the Financial Affairs, Budget, PAFO, and Sourcing & Procurement Offices will discuss the year-end closing process, deadlines, and the preparations required to successfully close Fiscal Year activities. This will also be a good opportunity to ask any questions you may have about FY close. Go to this page to register to attend.
Note that this is a webinar. That means you can “attend” without leaving the comfort of your office. Connection instructions will be forthcoming as we near
Financial Glossary
Research Administration, Budget, and General Accounting are pleased to announce the creation of a BUworks Financial Glossary. The Glossary includes definitions for all Variables used in the GM and FM areas as well as definitions of Characteristics in FM reports. This Glossary is available as a link within the GM and FM Central and Distributed Folders (refer to item #1 in the image below).
Additional terms and definitions will be forthcoming. If you have any questions, please email either Gretchen Hartigan at hartigan@bu.edu or Meghan Tracey at mtracey@bu.edu.
New Report: Moveable Equipment Inventory
This report provides an array of asset information including description, location, department, responsible employee, value, depreciation amount, and net value. The report is located in the Funds Management (Distributed) folder (item #2 in the image above). Further information about the report will be contained a help guide that is not yet complete. Stay tuned for an announcement on the new document.
Training Calendar
May/June Training Opportunities
Introductory Workshops
As always, an assortment of introductory workshops will be available. These sessions present to new employees – or employees assigned a new business role – the fundamentals of reporting for a particular subject area. The sessions are a great way to review material, too. Even if you previously attended an intro session, you are likely to learn new things about reporting – or to be reminded of concepts that you had forgotten.
Click on any of the following links for a course description and/or to register for an upcoming session:
Supplier Resource Management Reporting
Labor Distribution (Payroll) Reporting
Tips & Tricks
Changing the Data Displayed by a Characteristic
Did you know you can change the way Characteristics are displayed? Here are some examples of ways in which you might want to change the appearance of a Characteristic:
Remove the text description for grants in your report:
Add text to see the location corresponding to a mail code:
Swap the order in which the Key and Text of a GL Account Number are shown:
This video tip describes how to make modifications like these, and more.
Deleting Old Views
Want to do a little housecleaning with your Saved Views? Report users can’t directly delete Views that are no longer needed, but the BW team can help with that. Use this form to enter up to 10 View names and a member of the BW Development team will delete the View(s) for you. If you have any questions, drop me a note.
End Notes
Custom Training Sessions
Have you ever thought that it would be really useful if you could get members of your department together with a trainer to focus on BUworks functionality that is specific to the work your department does? I’m happy to work with any department or group that would like to develop and conduct a custom basic- or intermediate-level reporting training session. There are only two requirements for such a session: (1) input from the group is necessary to develop a relevant agenda, and (2) the group should include four or more employees. If you’re interested in discussing the development of a custom session for your department or school/college, contact me via email or give me a call at 617-353-6382.
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