Argos Reporting

Argos Reporting is the one-stop, complete reporting tool of choice for Oakland University Banner users.

Banner data is accessible from Argos Reporting (real-time). Additionally, functions, tables and views can be used in Argos objects.

Who is Eligible?

Active Faculty or Staff

Argos Reporting User Group Meetings

Whether you need ad-hoc and on-going reporting, Argos provides the user community with current, real time data. Data can be presented in various types of charts/graphs, mini text boxes or cubes. Dashboards with multiple selection criteria allow unlimited filtering and flexibility. Additionally, Argos can present the data/output in letter, printed, CSV, delimited and pdf format.

Entire teams can access Argos Dashboards to view their teams's data. Argos provides consistent, stable reporting at the users' request. Changes to DataBlocks and Dashboards do require UTS promotion to production. For continuously changing reports another reporting tool may fit better.

Argos uses a GUI based Developer Tool that makes it easy to design and develop queries. A DataBlock Designer will create a DataBlock and Dashboard for Report Writers and Viewers to use.

A default Data Dictionary, provided by Evisions, has been loaded for use. As new ADO Connections are added, they must be added to the Data Dictionary to be used. The Argos Core Reporting Team will evaluate the Evisions Data Dictionary and modify as needed in the future.

The Argos Core Reporting Group meets monthly to demo DataBlocks and Dashboards, address issues and discuss enhancements.

Please contact one of the Argos Core Reporting DataBlock Designers in the table above to find out when and where the next meeting is being held.

Available Training

• Argos Webinars: go to On-line Training - https://evisions.com/services/training/#live
• Argos Video On-Demand Training Sessions: go to Online Training On Demand - https://evisions.com/services/training/
• SQL - SkillSoft: go to OUs page - https://oaklanduniversity.skillport.com/

Note:

1. Recommendations for SkillSoft Training - Intro to PL/SQL or Intro to 11g/12c.
2. An Evisions/Argos Account/ID is NOT needed to view or take the above training.
3. Access to the Argos application (DataBlock Designer, Report Writer or Report Viewer) is NOT needed to view or take the above training.

Access Requirements, Set-up & Guidelines (Getting Started)

There are Three (3) Steps to Argos for a new Group or User to get setup.

Questions - These will help you with the Three (3) Steps to Argos:

1. Can you use an existing ADO Connection, do you already have an ADO Connector or do you need a new ADO Connector? (Normally, each Group must have their own Connector.)
2. Where is your data located? Is it on-premise or hosted? Will it need a direct connector or is it Cloud?
3. What access does your connector need? (Need Server Name, IP, type of database, port, user-id and password.)
4. If your data source is Banner, will you map your connector after one or more Power Users or do you know specific Roles or Tables.
5. Where will your DataBlocks reside? What sub-folders do you need? What is the folder structure?
6. Do you need your own folder or will it be under an existing parent folder?
7. If you need your own Connector and Folder, then WHO will own your Area (Group Owner)? (this is normally a VP or higher level Director)
8. Does your Group Owner know and understand their responsibility?
9. Do you need a Secondary Group Owner (if the Group Owner does not want to do the administration and approvals)?
10. Who needs access? Initially you can submit a spreadsheet of users in a Footprints Ticket and get the Group Owners approval.
11. Who is your Core DataBlock Designer?
12. Has everyone taken training?
13. Do you have access to the Evisions Support site? If no, then request it.
14. What type of computer do your users and developers use? The Argos Client, used by DataBlock Designers and Report Writers, only works on Windows. If your DataBlock Designers and Report Writers have non-Windows computers, they'll need to install a VM for Windows or get a Windows computer. End Users (Report Viewers) can use either the Argos Client or the Argos Web Viewer. The Argos Web Viewer works on all computers.

What is Needed?

1. Argos ADO Connection ID: Steps for requesting the creation an Argos ADO Connection ID. Also instructions for generating list of Roles, Grant statements and Request to Data Stewards./ArgosConnectionId
2. Argos Business / Groups Folders: Requirements for creating new Group Folders./ArgosAccess
3. Argos User Access and Security: Requirements for getting access to Argos Reporting (Report Viewer, Report Writer and DataBlock Designer)./ArgosAccess
4. Argos Files and Shares: Instructions for requesting a Files Operations to Shares ./ArgosFileOperations

Argos Reporting Group Owners

Note: If you would like a list of Group Owners and Data Block Designers, please contact the Enterprise Applications team.

If a user or group has questions regarding Argos, please feel free to reach out to the related Group Owner or DataBlock Designer.

• Group Owner: Approves user(s) access to the Group Folder and associated DataBlocks and Dashboards, verifies / compares Argos user access to Banner user access and approves Promotion Requests. The Group Owner is responsible to insure users of their Folders and DataBlocks do not have access to data in Argos that they do not have in Banner. If there is a designated Secondary, the same responsibility applies. The Group Owner will work with the Core (or main) DataBlock Designer to insure DataBlocks are placed in correct, secure Group Folders.
• DataBlock Designer: Creates DataBlocks, and Dashboards with charts, cubes and various filtering criteria, and the Core DataBlock Designer approves Promotion Requests.
• Report Writer: Creates reports based on DataBlocks
• Report Viewer: Runs reports and views Dashboards 

Additional Support

• OU Technology Center
• 44 Oakland Center
• Rochester, MI 48309-4479
• (248) 370-4357
• Office Hours: M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm