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BASIS FAQs

If you have questions you think we should include on this list, please Email the BASIS Team.

We will be developing individual FAQs for each application. As they are developed, links to them will be placed here on this page.

To clarify language, the term "webBASIS" refers to access to BASIS data via the web. When the term "BASIS" is used, it is in reference to the same data, but via a 3270 terminal emulation (e.g. QWS3270 Plus software). This is the original and traditional access most people are familiar with when dealing with the BASIS system. We distinguish the terms because both access methods utilize the very same data on the Admin mainframe. If you make a change in your 3270 BASIS session and hit PF10, then fire up your browser and look at the data, the changes will be reflected in your webBASIS session!

General BASIS Information

Accessing BASIS

Using BASIS

General BASIS and webBASIS Information

What is BASIS and how did it come to be?

In the early 1990s, the University needed to replace its aging, non-Y2K compliant (yes, we were hip before it was time!) administrative systems. It was decided to build the system inhouse by Computing Services staff with the much-needed help of folks in the functional areas (HR, Business Affairs, Financial Affairs, etc.). You can find more background in the story Upgrade It? Replace It? Or Start a Revolution? An Adventure Story from the University of Arkansas.

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How BASIS has changed Business processes over the last ten years.

The University's procurement, travel, accounts payable, and payment processes have changed considerably over the past ten years. You can find more information in this PowerPoint Before and After: Looking at Changes in Business Processes.

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How can I get help with the BASIS System?

There are several ways you can get help with the system. If you are having a problem that needs immediate attention, like the program is giving you an error, you can call the Computing Services Help Desk at 575-2905. You can also find a list of contacts on the BASIS Team Contacts page.

If you are having problems figuring out how to accomplish a specific task within BASIS, you can go to our Online Documentation, Information, and Help where there are several sources of helpful documentation, including Quick References and User Manuals. If the problem is less immediate, you can:

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How do I access BASIS information on the web?

The BASIS Team has started to develop programs to access BASIS data on the web. The data presented is exactly the same, real time data that you have access to via a 3270 session on the mainframe. In fact, the webpages are produced from the mainframe! However, the access method to that data and how it is presented is quite different than what is available to you when using BASIS with a 3270 session. These web functions are being developed with a different user in mind. The approach is to tailor webBASIS for a casual user not necessarily familiar with the BASIS applications developed for a 3270 session. It is also designed for easy access by organizing the services in a way that an individual employee might like to see things. Information from the Human Resources, Purchasing/Payables, and all BASIS applications is available and the number of services will increase as time goes on.

You can logon to webBASIS by going to http://www.uark.edu/basis/ and selecting the "webBASIS" link. Note that you will need your UArk ID and associated password to log on to webBASIS. That is the ID and password used to access your "Official University" e-mail account.

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What is a "desk" and why is it important to me using BASIS?

Your desk in BASIS is much like your "dream desk" at work. If you created the perfect desk, it would contain all the things you need to accomplish your job responsibilities during the course of the day. That is the way your desk in BASIS should work. All the applications that you need access to are provided to your desk. Also, by separating those accesses from your ID, the new person that replaces you when you get that big promotion can be assigned to your old desk and have all the tools at their fingertips like you did! For more about how desks work, see our Desk Administration page.

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Accessing BASIS

How does my computer communicate with BASIS?

Your PC communicates with the mainframe via 3270 emulation software. Most people on campus use the QWS3270 emulation software to establish their mainframe sessions with BASIS. For more information about how that process works and the changes you can make to customize your mainframe session, go to our How Your Computer Communicates with BASIS page.

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I have never used the BASIS application. What do I need to use BASIS?

There is a series of steps to go through to get access and use the BASIS system. The process is documented on our BASIS New User page.

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I have the software to access Admin installed on my PC and I have an ID. How do I sign on to BASIS?

There are a series of screens to go through to log on to BASIS. The process is documented on our How To Log On To BASIS page.

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What do I do when I cannot log on because my password is incorrect?

If you have forgotten your password or you are just now requesting one, you may perform either of these tasks through the webBASIS facilities.

Just log onto webBASIS using your UARK ID and Password. Then, select Admin ID Request / Password Reset link and carefully follow the instructions found there.

If you have forgotten your "UARK" password (which you use to access webBASIS), you may only reset it by going to the PASSweb page and changing your password for your "ADMIN (BASIS and Natural)" ID. Note that you will need your PIN to make this change.

Additional help in changing PIN numbers and Passwords can be found by clicking here

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Why don't I see the logon screen when I try to log on?

If you try and execute QWS3270 Secure to reach the main menu of the Adminstrative Computer System and the screen is blank, or has a message to the effect of "Host not found", or "can't get admin.uark.edu host entry", or "connection failed", something is wrong on the mainframe side or with the network. You should call the Computing Services Help Desk at 575-2905 and report that Admin appears to be down because you cannot get the "Admin logon screen" and tell them the message you are receiving on your screen.

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I can log on to Natural, but I cannot log on to an application that I need to do my work. What do I need to do to get access to the application?

When you are denied access to an application, it is because your desk hasn't been granted access to the application. You can go to the Application Owners - Contact Information page to find out who to contact for the specific application you wish to access.

Using BASIS

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I am not sure how to accomplish a specific task in the application I am in, who can I call?

If you need help in a specific application, you can access the resources available to you on our Online Documentation, Information, and Help page. Or, if you wish to contact someone, you can use our BASIS Applications' Contact Information page to identify an individual to help you.

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How do I change the colors on my screen when I'm in BASIS?

You can change the colors and other things about how your screens are displayed in your BASIS session (PF Key color, error message line location, etc.) by making changes to your User Profile.

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How do I print from BASIS?

You can print selected items, such as reports, from your BASIS session. You need to have a networked printer or a printer attached to a networked computer to which the reports can be sent. More information about printing from BASIS can be found at our Printing From BASIS page.

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How do I use the suspend (PF2) feature in BASIS?

The suspend feature allows a user to access a second or third function while still retaining, in a suspended state, the activity within the original function, including any data entered prior to the suspend request. This means that you can suspend to another function without losing what has been entered in the first function. More details on how this process works are available on our Suspend Feature page.

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This page last updated 05/06/2003