Service overview
This service allows authorized users to view, print, and export generic Crystal Reports published by McGill's BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (BI) Platform from SAP.
Who can use it
McGill Staff with access to the Finance and Scholarship and Student Aid (SSAO) Data Warehouses are authorized to use this service.
How to request & access the service
Before you can access the BI server, you must submit a Data Warehouse access request.
VPN:
When accessing the web reports server from off campus, you must sign into McGill's Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Once you have received authorization to access Web Reports:
- Go to the web page designed for your unit. You may need to sign in using your McGill username and password.
- Financial Services users, go to www.mcgill.ca/financialservices/reporting
- SSAO users, go to www.mcgill.ca/studentfunding/reporting/bsa-reporting
- OR go directly to the home page of the BI Launch Pad
- Click on the Web Report Template you wish to access.
- When prompted, sign in to the BI Launch Pad by entering your McGill Username and Password.
- Below the McGill Password field, ensure that Authentication is set to LDAP.
- If prompted to sign in to the data warehouse, enter your Banner username and password.
Cost
There is no cost to use this service.
Availability
This service is available 24 X 7, except during scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Check the home page of the IT Support site for announcements regarding service interruptions.
Frequently asked questions
What browsers are supported?
This service supports:
- Microsoft Edge
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
Why can't I print a report?
You cannot print to a printer directly from the browser, but you can export/print to a PDF document, then open it in Adobe Reader and then print from there.
Why is my access to the web reports server slow?
The first time your browser accesses the web reports server there might be a delay of up to five seconds. This is normal and should diminish with subsequent access. Each new page or report you connect to may exhibit the same behaviour, however delays should diminish as you continue to access the server. Some reports can take up to five minutes to run, but most only take seconds.
Best practices & policies
The web reports server contains a feature that enables you to schedule the automatic emailing of reports as attachments. Before using this feature, please read the Information Security Reminder that pertains to maintaining the confidentiality of student information.
Training & documentation
Unit-specific documentation
- Financial Services: Login instructions and exporting data
- Financial Services: Getting Data Warehouse Access & Finding your Banner UserID and Password in Minerva
- Student Aid: Reporting Overview & Access
User Guides
To view the user guide, you may need to log in using your McGill username and password.
Support
To report a system failure or problems signing into the web reports server:
Contact the IT Service Desk.