The Systems
CentralPipeline
Anti-Spam`
Blackboard Vista
Banner
Remote Technology
Business Services
Time Processing System (TPS)
Other Systems
CentralPipeline
CentralPipeline is a web portal that brings practically all of our web-based resources to your fingertips with your BlueNet Account. It can be accessed anywhere, anytime, from any computer with Internet access. It provides a customized “experience” with tabs dedicated to your role on campus. These tabs can be personalized to display the information and services that interest you. It contains “channels,” which are sections of each tab that provide targeted information or access to services. For example, there is a channel containing personal announcements geared just to you. It alerts you when your BlueNet Account password is going to expire. From CentralPipeline you can access campus and personal announcements, Outlook Web Access, Banner Web Services, Blackboard Vista, Time Processing System (TPS) and more.
Supported Web Browsers
CentralPipeline is compatible with various web browsers, such as Internet Explorer (for Windows only), Netscape (for Windows or Mac), and Safari (for Mac only). Other browsers, such as Firefox, may work with CentralPipeline, but there are known issues with these browsers. For example, you should not use Firefox to reset your password, as this may cause a “page error” when you try to log in to CentralPipeline. Also, browsers such as the AOL or SBC Yahoo! browsers may cause you be to inadvertently logged out of CentralPipeline. For the most up-to-date list of supported web browsers, please visit the CentralPipeline home page at http://pipeline.ccsu.edu.
Accessing CentralPipeline
Open your web browser and navigate to the CentralPipeline home page at http://pipeline.ccsu.edu (or go to www.ccsu.edu and click on the “CentralPipeline” link). Enter your BlueNet Account username and password. Click on the Login button.
Logging Out of CentralPipeline
It is very important to log out of CentralPipeline when you are done to keep your account secure. To log out, click on the Logout button in the upper-right corner of the screen. This button is visible regardless of which CentralPipeline tab is active. After three hours of inactivity you will be automatically logged out. The automatic log out assures that your information is protected if you walk away from your computer and/or forget to log out.
Navigating CentralPipeline
When you log in to CentralPipeline, you will have three (or four) tabs by default:
Welcome – contains Personal and Campus announcements, web services, CCSU resources, What’s Happening @ CCSU, and more.
Faculty – contains access to Banner Web Services (for final grading, class lists, student information, and more), Blackboard Vista, faculty resources, and more (teaching faculty only).
Administrative Resources - contains links to web services such as Banner Production and Brio OnDemand, Pricing for IT-related purchases, and more (all faculty and staff).
My Stuff – contains links to Art & Culture at CCSU, Blue Devils Sports, Clubs, information on personalizing CentralPipeline, and more.
The tabs are divided into channels that contain links to web-based resources or services. There are three types of channels:
Mandatory – these channels are placed in a certain location on a tab and cannot be removed (the Remove button will be grayed out).
Opt-out – these channels are placed on a tab and can be removed by clicking on the Remove button (the X in the upper-right corner of the channel).
Opt-in – these channels are not placed on a tab, but can be added by clicking on the “Content/Layout” link.
Banner Web Services for Faculty
The Banner Web Services channel allows easy access to tasks such as entering final grades, viewing course schedules (both your schedule and your students’ schedules), viewing degree evaluations and alternate PINs (for student advising), and more.
To access Banner Web Services:
Log in to CentralPipeline at http://pipeline.ccsu.edu using your BlueNet Account username and password.
Click on the Faculty tab. The Banner Web Services channel is located on the left side of the Faculty tab.
Final Grading Basics
The Registrar’s office will send an e-mail to all faculty members with details on when final grading will open and close for each semester. To enter your grades: From the Banner Web Services channel, click on the “Final Grades” link. Select the appropriate Term, then click on the Submit button. Select your course from the CRN drop-down menu, then click on the Submit button. The Final Grades worksheet will display all students registered for the course.
In the Grade column for each student, click on the drop-down menu next to “None” and select the appropriate grade. Continue this process for each student on your worksheet. After entering the grades, click on the Submit button; you will then see a message at the top of the screen that reads “The changes you made have been saved successfully” - this is your confirmation that your grades have been submitted.
Note: There is 30-minute time limit to enter your grades. The Submit button acts as a “save” command, so you may press this button any time during the grading process to reset the 30-minute time limit.
E-Mail your Students using the Summary Class List
From the Banner Web Services channel, click on the “Summary Class List” link to view students registered for your course and some of their status information. Use the E-mail button next to each name to send the individual an e-mail message. Use the “E-Mail Class” link (located at the bottom of the list) to send an e-mail message to the entire class. You may also download your class list to Excel by clicking on the Class List CSV File for Excel button.
Anti-Spam
E-mail spam continues to be a problem. Spam causes productivity loss, strain on network resources, and increased network traffic. To help combat this problem, we use MailFrontier as our anti-spam solution. MailFrontier is a user-friendly product that offers convenience and flexibility.
How MailFrontier Works
All incoming e-mail messages are directed to the MailFrontier server where they are scanned according to the spam filter settings. E-mail messages from people on your allowed list and messages not considered spam are automatically forwarded to your e-mail account.
Messages considered spam are blocked on the MailFrontier server and stored in your Junk Box. You are sent a junk e-mail summary that allows you to recover any messages falsely marked as spam; you may also log in to MailFrontier at any time to recover messages.
Note: Messages remain in the Junk Box for seven days, then are automatically deleted.
Accessing MailFrontier
Open your web browser and navigate to https://spam.ccsu.edu. Enter your BlueNet Account username and password. Verify that the “Login To” drop down box is set to ccsu_comp_srv. Click on the Login button. You are brought to your Junk Box to view the messages blocked by MailFrontier. Click on the “Unjunk” link next to any message to have it delivered to your e-mail account and automatically add the sender to your allowed senders list. To log off of MailFrontier, click on the Sign Off button. To protect your account, you will be automatically logged off after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Anti-Spam Techniques
MailFrontier is configured using the default anti-spam techniques. You can change these settings to allow MailFrontier to work more or less aggressively. To access detailed instructions for MailFrontier, visit
www.ccsu.edu/its/usersupport/UserDocs.
Reporting Spam
To report a message sent to your CCSU e-mail account as spam, simply forward it to JunkMailSubmission@mail.ccsu.edu.
Blackboard Vista
Blackboard Vista is a course management system that provides an integrated set of tools for developing interactive web-based course materials. Blackboard Vista can be used to teach classes entirely online or to augment traditional face-to-face classes. With Blackboard Vista you can post course materials, engage students in discussions, post course grades, give tests and quizzes, and more. Blackboard Vista replaced WebCT, which was phased out in 2006.
Blackboard Vista Advantages
Flexible - can be customized to best accomplish your instructional goals.
Accessible - faculty and students can access course content and material anywhere they have access to the Internet.
Protected - site access restricted to only students registered in the course.
Accessing Blackboard Vista
Blackboard Vista courses are accessed through CentralPipeline: Log in to CentralPipeline and click on the Faculty tab. From the Blackboard Vista Courses channel, click on the “Click here to access Blackboard Vista” link. Vista will open in a separate window. Click on the name of your course and you will see the course home page.
Requesting a Blackboard Vista Section
In order to use Blackboard Vista for your courses each semester, you must request a Blackboard Vista section for each course. All requests will receive a blank section initially, but you may request to transfer course materials from a previous semester.
To request a blank section:
Log in to CentralPipeline at http://pipeline.ccsu.edu and click on the Faculty tab. From the Banner Web Services channel, click on the “More Faculty Services” link. Click on the “Blackboard Vista Course Administration” link. If prompted, select the appropriate Term, then click on the Submit button.
You will see a list of the sections you are teaching for the term. Select Create Blackboard Vista Course from the drop down menu next to EACH of the sections. Once you have selected all of the sections needed, click on the Submit button. The textbox next to the section will change to Blackboard Vista Course Exists. This creates the Blackboard Vista course sections for you automatically (it may take 5-10 minutes for the process to complete).
Once you have created all of the necessary Blackboard Vista course sections, you have the ability to cross-list/combine sections and/or have course materials transferred from a previous semester. You will find a link on the request page in Banner Web Services, where you can go to make these requests. You must be sure the section says Blackboard Vista Course Exists prior to requesting cross-listing or transfer of materials. You can go to the cross-listing/transfer request form at any time after the sections are created; it does not have to be done at the time of the section request. The link for those requests is www.ccsu.edu/vista. Cross-listing and transfer of materials is a manual procedure and will not happen automatically. It may take a few days to process the requests. You will be notified when the request is completed.
Blackboard Vista Training and Resources
For Blackboard Vista training and resource information, visit www.ccsu.edu/vista. Training for Blackboard Vista is offered each semester and on a one-on-one basis.
Banner
Banner is an administrative software application developed specifically for higher education institutions. It consists of six highly integrated systems: Finance, Alumni/Advancement, Student, Financial Aid, Human Resources, and General Shared Data.
Each system shares a common database. This makes it easy to maintain records on someone who applies to the University, becomes a student, graduates, and then becomes an alumnus.
Because of the common database, multiple departments use the information stored in Banner. Though information is shared, many users are allowed only to look up (query) specific information. Banner also has sophisticated security measures to make sure that only authorized individuals have access to specific data.
CCSU abides by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For more information, visit
www.ccsu.edu/registrar/Policies/Policy_Page.htm.
Accessing Banner Data
There are several ways to access the data stored in Banner:
Banner Production (Internet Native Banner) - used by all administrative offices, academic secretaries, Deans, and Department Chairs for daily operations such as purchasing, billing, student records, and more. Banner Production is accessed via the web at www.ccsu.edu/banner. You need specific approval to access Banner Production and a separate username and password.
Banner Web Services - used mainly by students and teaching faculty to access student information, transcripts, final grades, schedules, and more. Banner Web Services are accessed via CentralPipeline at http://pipeline.ccsu.edu, using your BlueNet Account.
BrioQuery - used mainly by Administrative Technology Services to create Banner reports. The Banner database is split between five programmers by functional area. All new requests for Banner reports should be made directly through the programmer responsible for your functional area. Visit www.ccsu.edu/its/AdminTech/duties.htm for a list of programmer assignments.
Brio OnDemand Server - used by all administrative offices, academic secretaries, Deans, and Department Chairs to access BrioQuery reports. Brio OnDemand is accessed via the web at http://brio.ccsu.edu. You need specific approval to access Brio OnDemand reports and a separate username and password.
Requesting a Banner Production and/or Brio OnDemand Account
In order to receive a Banner Production and/or Brio OnDemand account, your supervisor must fill out and submit an online Banner Account request form, located on the Banner Support web site at www.ccsu.edu/bannersupport.
Please be patient, it may take several days to create your account. You will be contacted after your account setup is complete. Please note that all new Banner users are required to complete Banner Navigation training prior to receiving a username and password.
Banner Resources
The Banner Software Support and Training web site, www.ccsu.edu/bannersupport, provides a central location for information on Banner, including: Banner Account Request Form, Banner Upgrade Information, System Requirements & Installation Instructions, Banner Documentation Library, Training Schedule, Web-based training, and Links to Additional Banner Information, such as test databases.
Remote Technology
With all of the wonderful features that our network provides, it is hard to imagine having to go without them when you leave campus. Fortunately, you do not have to! Using remote technology, almost all of the conveniences of being on campus are available to you from anywhere you have access to the Internet.
The chart below lists applications that can be accessed remotely and the technology that makes it possible.
| Application | Remote Technology |
| Adobe Applications (Acrobat Professional, Dreamweaver) | Citrix |
| Banner Production (Internet Native Banner) | Virtual Private Network or Citrix |
| Banner Testing Databases | Virtual Private Network |
| BrioQuery | Citrix |
| Brio OnDemand | Citrix |
| Microsoft Applications | Citrix |
| Microsoft Outlook Client | Citrix |
| Netshares - Personal or Deparmental | Virtual Private Network or Citrix |
| Statistical Applications (SAS, SPSS, Minitab) | Citrix |
Virtual Private Network
The Virtual Private Network (VPN) uses the Internet to allow you to connect to campus network resources remotely. With the VPN, you no longer need to save your files to a disk in order to bring them home because they are available from any computer with Internet access. Other systems that can be accessed remotely through the VPN include the Banner Production and test databases.
Accessing the VPN
Open your web browser and navigate to https://vpn.ccsu.edu. At the log in screen, enter your BlueNet Account username and password. Choose FacStaff from the Realm drop down menu, then click on the Sign In button. The Session Manager window will open in the lower right corner of your screen. The Session Manager window must remain open while you are connected to the VPN; closing this window will terminate your connection to the CCSU campus network. You may minimize the window.
Security Alerts may appear the first time you log in. Juniper Networks and the VPN are safe products, so feel comfortable clicking on Always or OK. Clicking Always will prevent the Security Alerts from appearing every time you use the VPN. Once the VPN home page opens, you will have links to various campus network resources, such as your personal netshare.
Note: The VPN will time out after 2 hours of inactivity.
Internet Explorer Browser Options
If you are using Internet Explorer to access the VPN, you may experience problems connecting to links if the “Internet Options” are not set properly. You should make the following change to prevent links from being launched in the VPN Session Manager window:
Open Internet Explorer and click on the Tools menu. Click on Internet Options, then click on the Advanced tab. Find “Reuse windows for launching shortcuts” and uncheck the box to turn off this option, then click on the OK button.
VPN Bookmarks
A bookmark is a link to a web site or specific network location. The main VPN web page has some bookmarks already set up for you, but you may also set up your own. Detailed instructions for VPN bookmarks can be found at www.ccsu.edu/its/usersupport/UserDocs.
Citrix
Citrix allows you to access Windows-based applications from any computer (PC or Mac) with an Internet connection. You can access software programs stored on the Citrix server without the hassle or expense of installing them on your home or office computer.
Accessing Citrix
Open your web browser and navigate to https://citrix.ccsu.edu. At the log in screen, enter your BlueNet Account username and password, select CCSU_COMP_SRV from the Domain drop down menu, then click on the Log In button. After logging in you will see a number of folders available. Click on a folder to open it, then click on the application you want to run.
| Applications accessible through Citrix | |
| Adobe Acrobat Professional | Microsoft Publisher |
| Banner Production | Microsoft Visio |
| BrioQuery | Minitab |
| Brio OnDemand | SPSS |
| Clementine | Various Geography applications |
| Dreamweaver | School of Business applications |
| Microsoft FrontPage | School of Education applications |
| Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook) | School of Arts & Sciences applications |
| Microsoft Project |
Business Services
Business Services has many web-based systems to assist with University operations.
WebNow
WebNow is the imaging software used to manage all invoice documents. WebNow allows Accounts Payable to scan the image of an invoice and electronically forward the image to the appropriate department for approval. The department is then able to review, approve, and electronically forward the invoice back to Accounts Payable. In order for your department to use WebNow, the department head should complete and return a WebNow Department Setup Form found at www.finance.ccsu.edu/Accounts_Payable/forms.htm.
Once your department is set up, do the following to access WebNow: Open your web browser and navigate to http://imagenow.ccsu.edu:8100/webnow. Enter your BlueNet Account username and password, then click on Connect. Detailed instructions for using WebNow are provided to you when your account set up is complete.
Gelco
Gelco allows faculty and staff to prepare and submit travel documents electronically. To request access to Gelco or for training and support, contact Debbie Peterson in the Travel Department by calling (860)832-2549 or via e-mail at peterson@ccsu.edu.
With Gelco:
Travel information is entered into Gelco avoiding the submission of paper forms. The traveler must retain all original documentation and receipts for auditing purposes. Travel authorizations and reimbursements are signed and routed electronically through Gelco to the Travel Department for processing.
Once your account is set up, do the following to access Gelco: Open your web browser and navigate to
https://webtravel.ccsu.edu. Enter the username and password provided to you by the Travel Department and press Enter.
Purchasing Office Supplies
Office Max is CCSU’s contract vendor for all your office supply needs. Thousands of office supplies are available for easy web shopping, convenient payment with your CCSU procurement card, and next-day desktop delivery. Their web site is www.officemaxsolutions.com.
To request access to Office Max online or for assistance with ordering, contact Kathy Kuziak at (860)832-2534.
Copy Center
The Copy Center offers an on-line program that allows the University community to submit copy requests directly to the Copy Center from on or off campus. Each department has its own guidelines for submitting material to the Copy Center. It is essential that you contact your Department Chair or secretary for departmental procedures. In most cases, the department secretary will request Copy Center online access for you. In order to use the Copy Center online program, you must have a BlueNet Account.
To access the Copy Center on-line program:
Open your web browser and navigate to www.ccsu.edu/copycenter. Click on Submit Job On-Line. At the log on screen, enter your BlueNet Account username and password, then click on the OK button.
The Copy Center requires three working days for completion of jobs submitted to them. They have the capability to add “impact” to your jobs and welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your copying needs. Questions regarding the Copy Center online program can be directed to any of the Copy Center staff by calling (860)832-2526 or visiting the Copy Center located in Davidson Hall, Room 00101.
TPS
Time Processing System (TPS) is an automated, web-based time entry system that allows employees to record time worked and leave time. When timesheets and leave requests are submitted through TPS, they are automatically routed to the designated supervisor for approval. Supervisors view and approve timesheets and leave requests through TPS, then all documents are electronically routed to Human Resources (HR) for recording and payroll processing. TPS eliminates paper timesheets and leave cards, allows you to view your leave balances at any time, and provides an electronic record of timesheets and leave requests. It is accessible any time, from any computer with Internet access.
Who is using TPS?
The Human Resources Department is implementing TPS by employee group. TPS is fully implemented for student workers, University Assistants, and select departments. Additional groups will transition to TPS over time. Those designated as TPS users and/or supervisors will be notified and will automatically receive a separate username and password via their CCSU e-mail account.
Accessing TPS
Log in to CentralPipeline at http://pipeline.ccsu.edu using your BlueNet Account username and password.
From the Welcome tab, click on the “TPS (Time Processing System)” link. TPS will open in a new browser window. Enter your TPS username and password, then click on Login. HR will provide you with detailed instructions for using TPS.
Deadlines
Timesheets must be submitted to your supervisor by the last day of the pay period (always on a Thursday). Supervisors must approve all timesheets by noon on the Monday following the last day of the pay period. For a complete list of pay period dates, visit the HR web site at www.ccsu.edu/humanresources.
Other Systems
ERPortal
ERPortal is a web-based system used to enter work requests for the Facilities Management Department. This system replaces paper-based work orders on campus and should be used for all routine, non-emergency work requests. For EMERGENCY work requests, please call Facilities Management directly at (860)832-2301.
Each department has a designated ERPortal contact (usually the department secretary) who can submit and view work orders through ERPortal. The designated contact will receive separate account information to access the ERPortal system and detailed instructions.
To access ERPortal:
Open your web browser and navigate to the ERPortal web page at http://erportal.ccsu.edu. At the ERPortal log in screen, enter your 8-digit ID number (the 8-digit number grouping found on your Blue Chip ID Card) in the User ID field and the password that was provided to you in the Password field. Click on the Log In button.
Today@CCSU
Today@CCSU allows you to view what is happening on campus each day or search for future events based on many different criteria. To book event space and have your event added to Today@CCSU, contact the Central Reservations Office at (860)832-1964 or visit them at the Student Center, Room 1150000.
To access Today@CCSU:
Log in to CentralPipeline at http://pipeline.ccsu.edu using your BlueNet Account username and password.
From the Welcome tab, click on the Today@CCSU link. There are other links set up to search for meetings and events hosted by various student organizations and other campus departments. The event listing will open in a new browser window.
Note: You can also access the Today@CCSU site directly by navigating to http://today.ccsu.edu.
