Accessing IFIS via the Web

The capability to process financial transactions via the Web is restricted to those with a legitimate business need to process and access such information. An IFIS userid and password are required and you must have an Approval Template set up in IFIS for each document type you wish to key. If you do not have access to IFIS and a legitimate need exists, contact your Departmental Security Administrator (DSA) or contact the ITS Service Desk at (858) 246-4357 or send email to servicedesk@ucsd.edu.

Those processing transactions via the web should have a basic understanding of UCSD financial policies and procedures, which can be obtained by perusing the links listed under the "Where do you want to go?" drop-down list located at the top of each page.

Access to policy and procedure information as well as general financial references is not restricted.

What Browser Should You Use?

For optimum performance, we recommend using Netscape Communicator 4.5 or Internet Explorer 4.0. These products and versions are available free of charge for educational use from Netscape or Microsoft. Previous versions of both browsers will function; however, some of the more advanced features may not be available when viewed through other versions.

You must be using a browser which supports cookies, and cookie support must be enabled. The system uses cookies to differentiate between concurrent users. You can enable cookies in several popular browsers by selecting Edit/Options/Advanced.

Customizing Your Screen

If the displayed information does not fit within a fully-expanded window on your system, select "Options/General Preferences/Fonts Tab" on the Netscape Browser Menu. Select a smaller font size and click "OK."

If your selected browser is Internet Explorer, select "View/Internet Options" on the Explorer Browser Menu. Click the "Fonts" button. Select "smallest" from the Font Size drop-down box. Click "OK."

Recommended Computer Configuration

Response time will be slower when using smaller configurations than those recommended.

How to Navigate

After logging in, navigate by using the buttons and links provided. While all browsers provide a "back" button, we recommend using the "back" hotlink on the black bar at the top of each page. Using the application's buttons and hotlinks, rather than those provided by the browser, will ensure intended navigation within the system and minimize errors.

Getting Help

Help text is available for each of the on-line forms by clicking on the "help" hotlink that appears on the black bar at the top of each page. The help text assumes a basic understanding of web terminology and usage as well as of financial accounting processes.

Approval Templates and Hierarchies

The approval templates and heirarchies established for your department in order to use IFIS are still in effect on the Web. Thus, electronic documents will be routed in the same way as they have been in the past. Documents created in IFIS may be viewed and/or approved on the Web. Conversely, documents created on the Web may also be viewed and approved in IFIS.

The approval template name defaults from IFIS. If you would like to rename the template more meaningfully, contact your Departmental Security Administrator (DSA).

Password Expiration

The Web interface to IFIS requires a valid IFIS user id and password. If you have forgotten your password, or would like to change it, contact your Departmental Security Administrator (DSA) or contact the ITS Service Desk at (858) 246-4357 or send email to servicedesk@ucsd.edu.

The Web logon process will notify you when your IFIS password has expired (approximately every 60 days) and will assign you a new password at that time.