Oracle Discoverer 10g Plus/Viewer Tips for getting the most

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Oracle Discoverer 10g Plus/Viewer
Tips for getting the most from the Discoverer
Reporting Tool.
Last Updated October 31, 2012
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1. Choose the right access

• End User
• Ability to create new worksheets and/or edit
  existing worksheets.
• Ability to share workbooks with other users.
• Ability to save workbooks to the database.
• Recommended only for highly trained, highly
  skilled users.
• Access is more difficult to support.

• Viewer
• Ability to view existing worksheets only.
• Ability to access only the workbooks that are
  shared with them.
• Cannot save workbooks to the database.
• Recommended for most users.
• Access is easier to support.

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2. Know what is available

• ARC Custom Standard Suite of Reports
• Accounting Flexfield Values
• Active Suppliers and Customers
• Aged Receivables Workbook
• CitiDirect Report
• EFT Activity Report
• Federal Status of Funds
• Invoice Status Workbook
• Prompt Pay Detail
• Trial Balance

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3. Know your data

• Your Agencys Accounting Structure
• Fund
• BFY
• USSGL
• Cost Center
• Reporting Category
• Project
• BOC

Directors Office Cost Center 1
Program B Cost Center 12
Program A Cost Center 11
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3. Communicate your agencys requirements

• Requirements are necessary, not just desired.
• Educate us about your mission.
• Explain reporting requirements.
• Provide examples of external reporting
  requirements.
• Share examples of internal reports.
• Explain all uses of data.
• Communicate additional needs.
• Be open to ideas/suggestions.

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4. External Training

• Take advantage of training opportunities.
• Request on-site training when needed.
• Use the on-line training guide and QRG located on
  your ARC customer web page.
• Ask your ARC accountant about WebX Training.

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5. Internal Training

• Develop an internal training program to train new
  staff and support existing staff.
• Document procedures and QRGs related to your
  internal reports.
• Encourage staff to ask questions and work with
  their ARC accountant to develop reports to
  accommodate your organizations unique
  requirements.

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7. Know where to go for help

• ARC Support Line [phone]
• Option 3-Oracle/Discoverer
• ARC Customer Page
• https//arc.publicdebt.treas.gov/files/fshome.htm
• ARC Accountant
• ARC Supervisor

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8. Help us help you

• Be specific.
• Provide screen shots of error messages.
• What access do you have?
• What workbook and/or worksheet are you having
  problems with?
• Was the workbook and/or worksheet created by you
  or another end-user at your organization?

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9. Manage your agencys users

• Keep record of all Discoverer access request
  forms.
• Send timely requests to end-date users no longer
  requiring access.
• Review set up of new users to make sure accesses
  are correct.
• Review list of users on a routine basis.

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10. Use the tool

• Its not useful if you dont use it!