Enterprise Business Systems (EBS) - Troubleshooting Technical Difficulties

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Overview

If you experience technical difficulties while using EBS (Enterprise Business Systems), review this article for troubleshooting information and known browser and Adobe complications. Use the links below to find troubleshooting tips on the various components of the system.

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Adobe

  • Adobe Reader is preferred to use EBS, though browser-based PDF readers may wok as well. Please download Adobe Reader.
  • To display the toolbar on an Adobe form, click within the form and press F8 on your keyboard.
    • From the toolbar you can increase/decrease the size (zoom) percentage, or expand the form to full-size.
    • You can also print from the toolbar, by clicking on the printer icon.
  • To set Adobe forms to always open in full screen mode, follow these steps:
    • Right click on any form and choose Page Display Preferences.
    • In the Categories menu in the left panel, click Documents. Then under Open Settings (to the right), check the box next to Restore last view settings when reopening documents.
    • Next, click on Page Display in the Categories menu.
    • Under Default Layout and Zoom (to the right), select Single Page from the Page Layout drop-down, and Fit Width from the Zoom drop-down.
    • Click OK.

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Browsers

  • EBS recommends users refer to the Browser Compatibility Matrix to ensure optimal compatibility and results with all EBS processes. This reference is updated annually, or when retesting is required by system updates.
  • Deleting the browser History/Cookies/Cache (Temporary Internet Files) will often increase the efficiency of a browser. This has been particularly helpful for individuals who use HR/Payroll forms. Instructions for specific browsers are located on webpage Setting Up Your Computer.

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Emails from EBS

  • To ensure delivery of EBS email communications, please add the following email addresses to a trusted list (e.g. Safe Senders):
    • sap_wfrt@msu.edu
    • payroll@ctlr.msu.edu
    • wf-batch@msu.edu. wf-batch@ais.msu.edu
    • ebsp@msu.edu
    • support@ebs.msu.edu
    • hrmail@msu.edu

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Errors and Error Messages

  • Planning and Budgets system web client installation error:
    • If you receive an error message while attempting to install the Planning and Budgets system contributor web client, you may first need to temporarily disable your antivirus program. Contact your department s technical support team/resource, if needed, to assist you with the following:
      1. Temporarily disable the antivirus program.
      2. Install the Planning and Budgets system web client.
      3. Re-enable the antivirus program (select it from the Start menu, or log off your machine then log back on).
  • Approving Documents in the Finance System:
    • If you receive an error message while approving financial e-docs, (e.g., The system has encountered an error and is unable to complete your request at this time ) you should try deleting your Browser History/Cache/Temporary Internet Files to resolve this error. Then go back to your Action List to approve the documents. To delete History/Cache/Temporary Files, follow these steps:
      1. Internet Explorer: Click on Tools in your browser toolbar and select Delete Browsing History.
      2. Firefox: Click on Tools in your browser toolbar and select Clear Recent History.
  • EBS Portal errors are documented at Diagnosing Tough Issues, but first make sure the proper settings are in use per Setting Up Your Computer. 

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Logging Off

  • To completely exit EBS, you must also log out of Okta, which has a much longer timeout.

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Navigation in the Portal

  • Do not use the Back button in your browser.
    • Use the links and tabs within the portal screens to navigate. Using the browser Back button can cause a record to become locked, the screen location to be lost, or (in some cases) a timeout.

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Off-Campus Access

  • EBS can be accessed from off-campus (e.g., home) using a compatible web browser and logging in with your MSU NetID. Employee Self Service, the Finance and Business Intelligence systems are web-based and require only a web browser.
  • However, to use the backend HR/Payroll system (requires SAP GUI):
    • SAP GUI must be installed. See KB 403342 for further information.
    • The system must be connected to the MSU VPN. See this Getting Started Guide (KB 419387) for further information.

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Pop-Up Blocker

  • In order to use the EBS HR/Payroll System, your browser pop-up blocker must be turned off, or an exception must be made for the EBS site.

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Timeouts

  • Timeouts are used for two important reasons: application security and performance. The Finance, HR/Payroll, Business Intelligence and Planning and Budgets systems have 30-minute inactivity timeouts. Please note that not all of the systems respond to user interaction in the same manner; some systems check for activity frequently, whereas other systems check only when a form is submitted or the user moves from one screen to another.
  • All system sessions, active or inactive, use system resources. An inactivity timeout helps return these resources back to the system for other users. As a general recommendation, remember to log out of the systems and portal* and close all browser windows when you have finished your session. When taking an extended break from an activity, please save your work and log out of the system.
  • Please remember to log off from both EBS and Okta.
  • Timeouts are set based upon the security considerations for the university and accepted industry security practices. The timeout settings are periodically reviewed and updated as needed.

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