MARS Newsletter Archive

Jan 10 Release  (Jan. 11, 2002)

• NEW SEAGATE REPORT (2031-P) FOR PROJECTS/GRANTS
• PROCUREMENT DESKTOP DOCUMENT DESCRIPTIONS
• ATTENTION: PROCUREMENT DESKTOP USERS
• CRC FEATURE TIP

December 14 Release (Dec. 17, 2001)

• MARS RELEASE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2001
• MARS AVAILABILITY ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
• MARS ADVANTAGE USER'S REFERENCE GUIDE AVAILABLE ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 17
• ATTENTION: PROCARD ADMINISTRATORS AND CARDHOLDERS

December 7 Release (Dec. 7, 2001)

• NEW RACF PASSWORD REQUIREMENTS
• MARS TRAINING SCHEDULE
• NEED A MARS TUTOR?
• REMINDER: ENHANCED SECURITY AT CAPITOL ANNEX
• REMINDER: SEAGATE (3190-P) REPORT

Nov. 11 Release (Nov. 19, 2001)

• PROCUREMENT DESKTOP GLOSSARY OF TERMS: (RELATED TO CONTRACTS, MASTER AGREEMENTS, DELIVERY ORDERS AND PURCHASE ORDERS AND THEIR SUBTYPES)
• DOCUMENT SUBTYPES IN PROCUREMENT DESKTOP
• NEW 1099 SEAGATE REPORT (3190-P) NOW AVAILABLE
• ENHANCED SECURITY AT CAPITOL ANNEX

October 15 Release

• ADVANTAGE RELEASE
• BRASS RELEASE
• PROCUREMENT DESKTOP (PD)RELEASE
• MARS APPLICATIONS CERTIFIED FOR WINDOWS 2000
• NEW RACF PASSWORD REQUIREMENTS
• NEW ALL STATE AGENCY CONTRACT FOR WIRELESS VOICE SERVICES
• MARS PD TRAINING NEWS
• REMINDER TO AILS: COMMUNICATION SENT BY DIVISION OF STATEWIDE ACCOUNTING

New Brass Release (Sept 4, 2001)

• MARS BRASS UPGRADE
• MARS AVAILABILITY
• CHANGE IN TP DOCUMENT LONG NAME
• REMINDER: PROTECTING YOUR MARS PASSWORD
• STAYING IN TOUCH WITH MARS

August 20 Release (Aug. 20, 2001)

• NEW SEAGATE REPORT
• PROCUREMENT DESKTOP REMINDER
• PROCUREMENT DESKTOP: OVERRIDE PAYDATE BUTTON ON INVOICES
• MARS TRAINING SCHEDULE
• NEED A MARS TUTOR?

Release 4.8.38 (Aug. 16, 2001)

• Delivery Orders and Delivery Order Mods Slow Processing Time
• Miscellaneous Quick Pay Documents: Dropdown Account Description and Funding Strings Overwritten
• ProCard Documents Successful Validation Message Missing
• Invoice Payments Against Expired Master Agreements
• System Administration Tasks and Security Impacted by Performance Enhancements

Re - release August 6 (Aug. 3, 2001)

• MARS RELEASE: MONDAY, AUGUST 6
• NEWS FOR PROJECT/GRANT ACCOUNTANTS

Release 4.8.36 (July 31, 2001)

• Validating Modification Documents
• New Proof of Necessity (PON) Tab Added to Contracts and Master Agreements
• Enforcement of Tolerances
• Enforcement of Partial/Final Payment Checkbox Flag on Invoices
• Enforcement of Not to Exceed Limits on Capped PSC’s and Master Agreements
• Solicitations Posted to the Web Are Now in Microsoft Word Format
• New Printing Option to Print Clauses and Conditions with the Document
• Approval Chain Report Changes
• Negative Value Can Be Entered on Contracts and Purchase Request Modification Documents
• Contracts, Catalog Delivery Orders, Delivery Orders and Master Agreements: May Not Have More than One Draft Copy
• Payment Authorization ‘Hold Recurring Payment’ Checkbox Now Working
• Invoice Routing with Three Way Matches
• Disbursement Type on Vendor Search Window Now Visible
• New Warning Message When Closing Purchase Request to be Awarded as a Master Agreement
• Document Subtypes Default on Modification Documents
• Printing Addresses on Procurement Desktop Documents

Year End Procedures (June 28, 2001)

• CANCELLATION OF PURCHASE REQUESTS
• ENCUMBRANCE ROLLOVER RESCHEDULED
• MARS AVAILABILITY/CALENDAR OF EVENTS
• MCSI COMPUTER SUPPLY NEW STATEWIDE CONTRACT
• PROJECT/GRANT ACCOUNTANTS: FEDERAL REVENUE IN INAPPROPRIATE FUNDS
• PROCUREMENT CARD PAYMENTS
• NEW PAYMENT PROCESS FOR CPA EMPLOYEES' ANNUAL RENEWAL FEES

Extended Hours (May 25, 2001)

• EXTENDED HOURS FOR MARS
• REMINDER: ADVANTAGE PURGE
• COMMENTS OR REQUESTS FOR HELP FROM VENDORS
• MRDB, SEAGATE AND DOCUMENT DIRECT USERS: NEW WEB PAGE

Mod Account (May 19, 2001)

• ACCOUNT MODIFICATION SAS-14
• MARS USERS' PASSWORD SECURITY
• AGENCY CHART OF ACCOUNTS ELEMENTS
• STAYING IN TOUCH WITH MARS

Amended Travel (May 5, 2001)

• AMENDED TRAVEL REGULATIONS
• MARS ADVANTAGE UPGRADE
• MARS BRASS UPGRADE
• PROCARD ADMINISTRATOR USER GROUP MEETING
• UPDATED MARS TRAINING SCHEDULE

All State

• ALL STATE AGENCIES MASTER AGREEMENTS INDEX
• DMPS/BUYER & COMMODITY/SERVICES LISTING
• DIGITAL COPIER -ALL STATE AGENCY CMA

Travel Release (Apr. 10, 2001)

• AMENDED TRAVEL REGULATIONS
• TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT & DISCOUNT LODGING RATES ON THE WEB
• MARS REMINDER: TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
• ADVANTAGE TRAVELING THE WORLD
• PROCUREMENT DESKTOP: ALLOW FOR PARTIAL PAYMENTS CHECKBOX

FAS Update (Mar. 23, 2001)

• FINANCIAL ANALYSIS SYSTEM (FAS) UPDATE
• FAS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
• STAYING IN TOUCH WITH MARS
• FIXED ASSET USER GROUP
• PROCESSING OF NEW YEAR PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS AND MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT

March 19 Release (Mar. 9, 2001)

• PAYROLL TO POST ON A JVB
• NEW EDIT ADDED TO UPPS
• MRDB ADV_ENTITY_WIDE_PROJECT TABLE & VW_ADV_ENTITY_WIDE_PROJECT VIEW
• PROCUREMENT DESKTOP: NEW>>>>>> ENFORCEMENT OF TOLERANCE EDIT
• MARS TRAINING SCHEDULE

Security Release (Mar. 2, 2001)

• MARS SECURITY
• ESTABLISHING MARS USER ID'S
• UPDATING MARS USER ACCESS
• REVOKING MARS USER ACCESS
• MARS USER PASSWORD GUIDELINES
• PASSWORD PROTECTION
• SUGGESTIONS FOR CREATING MARS PASSWORDS
• CHANGING YOUR ORACLE PASSWORDS
• CONTACTS FOR RESETTING PASSWORDS

Sub Types Release (Feb. 23, 2001)

• Document Sub Types
• MRDB Allotment Monthly Modification Completed
• Motor Pool Testing Completed on TEI Document
• Formatting Canned Clauses: Tips to Remember

MRDB Release (Feb. 16, 2001)

• MRDB Modifications
• Attention Procurement Card Administrators
• Communicating MARS Availability

Fleet Fuel (Feb. 12, 2001)

• Document Override Requests
• Procurement Card Program
• Fleet Fuel Alert
• Need a Tutor

News for Accountants (Jan. 26, 2001)

• News for Accountants Who Work With Advantage Projects
• Mars Tip Sheets

Dec 29 Release (Dec. 29, 2000)

• Payments To External Vendors
• Time Out
• Staying In Touch With MARS

Dec 11 Release (Dec. 8, 2000)

• MARS Release: Monday, December 11
• Seagate Info Analyzer Upgrade
• NEW Data Dictionary Links
• Business Travel Accounts

November 20 Release (Nov. 20, 2000)

• Check Category Requirement for Zero Dollar Invoices
• Modification to New Vendor Request Form
• Project Funding Source Inquiry (PFST) Table Update

Custom Report (Nov. 16, 2000)

• VENDOR PERFORMANCE TRACKING (REPRINT)
• NEW REFRESHING PROCESS FOR CUSTOM REPORTS

Travel New Refresh (Oct. 19, 2000)

• State Employee Travel Information on the Web
• New Process for Refreshing Statewide Reports
• Staying in Touch with MARS

Fixed Asset Exception (Oct. 17, 2000)

• Creating Fixed Asset Exceptions for All Commodities
• Creating Fixed Asset Exceptions for Individual Commodities

PD Alerts Sub Types Release(Oct. 13, 2000)

• Alert Functionality in PD
• Additional Document Sub-Types

Buying Entities and Multiple Labor Codes (Oct. 4, 2000)

• Authorized Buying Entities In PD
• Personal Service Contracts with Multiple Labor Codes in MARS
• Entering Contract Numbers in UPPS

Tips PD Release (Sept. 18, 2000)

• Inbox Tips: Changing Timings and Processing Documents
• Formatting Clauses and Text For Bid Solicitations Posted on the Web
• Project Billing: Impact of PJ Modifications on PSUM & PFST Records
• Searching on ADVANTAGE Tables
• Modifying Documents in PD

Project Grants Account News(Sept. 1, 2000)

• PZ (Project Participation) Document Update
• Project Memo Input Form (P3 Document)
• Seagate: Printing Default
• Training Opportunities

Prompt PAyment  (Aug. 18, 2000)

• Prompt Payment to Vendors
• New Procurement Desktop Approval Templates
• Changing Your MRDB Oracle Password

Year One Release (Aug. 15, 2000)

• First Year Accomplishments
• Next Steps
• Agency Support

August 14 release (Aug. 11, 2000)

• August 14 Release
     New Fields on ProCard Document
     Enhanced Searches on FA Exception Maintenance Window
     Liquidating Pre-Encumbrances
• MARS Training: Need a Refresher?
• Seagate Year End Reports
• Enhancements to Existing Seagate Reports

PD Update Routing Approvals(July 20, 2000)

• Routing a PD Document When The User Is Unavailable
• Policies and Procedures on the Web
• PD Approval Templates
• MARS Operating Hours
• Sticky Notes on PD Documents

Subgrants (July 12, 2000)

• Identifying and Establishing Sub-Grants in MARS
• Message for Cost Allocation Users
• Recurring Payment Vouchers in ADVANTAGE
• MARS Training Opportunities

Payment Auth. Release(June 30, 2000)

• Payment Authorization Documents
• Capital Construction Projects: Updated End Dates on AGPR
• PD Documents That Do Not Release When Approval Is Applied
• New Year Data in Seagate Daily Reports

UPPS Vendor (June 27, 2000)

• UPPS Personal Service Contract Payments
• Guidelines for Modifying Vendor Files
• Vendor Performance Tracking

Oracle/MRDB (June 26, 2000)

• Changing Your MRDB Oracle Passowrd
• Addressing ODBC Timeout Errors
• Communication Process for MRDB Requests
• Sharing Custom Reports Between Agencies
• Data Dictionary Link for Access 2000

Year End Notes(June 22, 2000)

• Extended Hours for MARS
• Exceptions to Automated Encumbrance Corrections
• Procard Payment Prodedures for Year-End Close
• Month-End Closing Dates (FY 2000 - 2001)

June 19 Release(June 19, 2000)

• EAL2 Allotment Inquiry Screen
• Fiscal 2000 Year-End Project Billing Plans
• Optional Steps to Pay Against Encumbrances during FY 2000 Close
• Year-End Close: Impact on MARS Weekend Availability

Sub Types Release(May 30, 2000)
(Revised October 6, 2000)

• Documents With Sub-Types
• Contracts and Their Modifications
• Master Agreements and Their Modifications
• Notes re: Master Agreements for Two-Year MOAs
• Master Agreements for Two-Year Personal Service Contracts
• Delivery Orders and Their Modifications
• Extended Line Description for LRC Government Contract Review Committee

Data Dictionary (May 18, 2000)

• GOT Message: Wide Area Network Solutions
• MARS MRDB Data Dictionary
• Advanced MRDB Training

Project Billing (May 2, 2000)

Fixed Assets(May 2, 2000)

• Fixed Asset Depreciation Report
• Fixed Asset Tables
• Fixed Asset Exception Maintenance Table
• PD Approvals Reminder
• MARS Training: New Advanced MRDB Class

Account Notes (April 10, 2000)

• Error Messages on New Year PSCs and MOAs
• Pending Transactions in SUSF
• Setting Up Employee Vendor Records
• Payments Between State Agencies
• Processing Cash Receipts Through Treasury
• Month and Year-End Closing Schedules

April 10 Release (April 06, 2000)

• Immediate Password Changes
• Rounding Solutions for Onlline and Printed PD Documents
• Setting Fixed Asset Exceptions by Buying Entity/Agency
• Funding Line Order Preserved on Documents to ADVANTAGE
• Manual Approval Templates Restricted by Doc Type/Sub Type
• New Sub Type Field on Catalog Documents
• Receiving Reports with Negative Numbers
• Changes to Desktop Award and Cradle to Grave Reports
• New Features Added to ProCard Documents
• New ADVANTAGE Documents: JVB & JVL
• Speeding Up Searches in SUSF

MRDB Update(March 23, 2000)

• Retrieving Missing Reports
• New Process for Scheduling Daily Reports
• Month and Year End Close
• Agency Role in System Maintenance

Seagate MRDB Edition(March 16, 2000)

• MRDB/Seagate Production Summary
• Communicating MARS Availability
• Advanced MRDB Training Development

New Routing Procedures(March 8, 2000)

• New Routing Procedures for Central Purchases
• Communicating MARS Availability

PSC Contract Renewal (March 6, 2000)

• MARS Security Reminder
• Procedures for New Year Personal Service Contracts and MOAs
• UPPS Personal Service Contracts
• Personal Service Contracts and MOAs That Cross Fiscal Years Within A Biennium
• Tracking Your Document in PD
• Identifying Documents That Do Not Belong To You

More on Project & Grants(February 25, 2000)

• Deactivating PFST Records
• PZ Approvals
• Split Percentage Calculations
• PFST/PSUM Records Showing Zero Percents

Project & Grants(February 18, 2000)

• Projects and Grants: Creating Reuseable Document Shells
• Checklist for Setting Up Projects
• Double Checking...Purchase Requests
• Agency Small Purchase Authorities
• Release Modifications in PD
• Generating Invoices from a Market Basket for Payments on Catalog Master Agreements
• Routing To and From Team Cabinets
• Using PD's Find/Match Feature
• Purchasing Policies and Procedures on the Web

New Development and Old Reminders(February 10, 2000)

• New Web Postings
• New CRC Email Address
• Sales and Use Tax to Revenue
• New Roles for Old Friends
• Invoice Routing From Catalog Delivery Orders

Procard Check Writer Release (January 31, 2000)

• Procard Reports
• New Check Writer Information
• Month End Close Schedule
• Training Update

Grants Accountant News (January 27, 2000)

• Two New Drawdown Reports
• ADVANTAGE Error HPY2E

Misc Quick Payment(January 21, 2000)

• Miscellaneous Quick Pay Documents
• Miscellaneous Quick Pay Do's and Don'ts
• Miscellaneous Quick Pay Modifications
• News for Grant Accountants

Jan. 10 PD Update(January 7, 2000)

• Y2K...and Beyond
• January 10 Procurement Desktop Upgrade
• Surfing Our Web Page?
• Reports Update

Update Year 2000 (December 15, 1999)

• Systems and Data Backup
• MARS Agency Entry Facility
• Customer Resource Center Hours
• First Nighly Cycle in Year 2000
• Reminder: Set Your Desktop

Dec 13 Release (December 10, 1999)

• MARS ADVANTAGE Upgrade
• BRASS Reports
• Projects and Grants: New Field in the Program Appropriation Table

Property Rental (December 3, 1999)

• Property Rental Contracts
• Organizational Search by Address
• What's New in Training

Functions for Capital Projects (November 12, 1999)

• New MARS Business Functions for Capital Construction Projects
• Reports Update

MARS Top Ten(October 22, 1999)

• October 25 Upgrade: The Top Ten Changes
• Proof of Necessity (PON) in MARS
• Reports Update

Speeding Up Contracts (October 18, 1999)

• Speed Up Your Contracts: Validate and Approve
• Sales and Use Tax Paid By State Agencies To Revenue
• Scheduled Pay Date In ADVANTAGE and PD
• Streamlined Approval Path for JVTs
• Correcting Encoding Errors on Deposits

PAR MEd Reports(October 13, 1999)

• Updated Financial Reports Listing
• Scheduling a Report Using the PARM Function
• Procurement Reports
• Training Opportunities: Standard Reports and MRDB

Three Way Match (October 11, 1999)

• Three Way Matching and Auto-Generated Invoices
• Two Way Matching and Auto-Generated Invoices
• Catalog Delivery Orders
• Locating Documents in Procurement Desktop

Update Year 2000 (October 6, 1999)

• Setting Your Desktop

Sept. 24, 1999 Release  (September 24, 1999)

• Reports in Document Direct
• Reports in MRDB
• Getting Started in Seagate Info
• Scheduling a Report to Run in Seagate Info
• Frequently Asked Questions About Reports

BRASS Rollout (September 3, 1999)

• BRASS for the 2000-2002 Budget Request Process
• Procurement Card Activity in MARS
• Fixed Assets
• Procurement Desktop (PD): Invoices Without Account Numbers

Sept. 1, 1999 Release (August 30,1999)

• Entering Information Helpful to Vendors
• "Date of Record" Field: Processing in a Different Month
• Budget Fiscal Year Code for Capital Projects

August 20 1999 Update (August 20,1999)

• MARS Upgrades
• Terminating and Canceling Procurement Desktop Documents
• Paying for Services on a Catalog Master Agreement
• Routing Sheets for Manual Approvals
• Sequential Document Numbering
• Creating Awards for Services
• Adding Clauses in Procuement Desktop Documents
• Changes to Terms Defining Appropriations
• Training Openings

MARS Update (August 6,1999)

• MARS Upgrades
• KAPS-to-MARS Contract Numbers
• Access to Reports
• Security Profiles
• Travel Reimbursement

MARS Landing (July 1999)

• Implementation-Ready
• Web Site for Rumors

June Newsletter (June 1999)

• Contacting the Customer Resource Center
• Using the Internet to Contact the Help Desk

Ongoing Agency Support (May 1999)

• Customer Resource Center Overview
• Finance and Administration Cabinet Changes

CBT Training (March 1999)

• Computer Based Training: A Sneak Preview
• MARS Instructor-Led Training

Working With MARS (February 1999)

• What Will MARS Mean to My Job?
• February 16 & March 16 Title and Grade Changes

Jan. 1999 Training (January 1999)

• MARS Computer Literacy Training
• MARS Instructor Based Training
• MARS Computer-Based Training

MARS Agency Implementation Team (December 1998)

• {Customized message detailing MARS Implementation Team members in each agency}

Workforce Transition (November 1998)

• Workforce Transition Success
• Ongoing Commitment to Our Workforce