Please see email below with more information............thanks, Brenda
From: Pendleton, Mary
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:00 AM
Subject: FW: THE Controller Connection - May 17, 2012
Brenda - Please send to grad students.
From: University Business Community Updates [mailto:FMOLISTS...@LISTSERV.TAMU.EDU]<mailto:[mailto:FMOLISTS...@LISTSERV.TAMU.EDU]> On Behalf Of Graalum, Cheri K
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 8:36 AM
To: FMOLISTS...@LISTSERV.TAMU.EDU<mailto:FMOLISTS...@LISTSERV.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: THE Controller Connection - May 17, 2012
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May 17, 2012
Please make the following information available to the employees throughout your department as appropriate.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS (FMO)
Concur Updates
Potential Pricing Problems on Airfare
Log Out Changed
Change from MapQuest to Google Maps
Credit Limits on University Cards
Solutions for Routing Problems for Pre-Trip Authorizations
Payment card reallocation deadline - May 22nd
TAMU Voucher Status
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS (FMO)
Concur Updates
Potential Pricing Problems on Airfare
Apollo (Global Distribution System) is experiencing some problems bringing the cheapest air fares back into Concur for our travelers. This isn't happening on all trips, only some. The two issues that they are working on are below. You may continue to use Concur for travel arrangements, but we recommend checking the rates with other websites to ensure you are getting the best fare. Thanks for everyone's patience as we work with our partners to resolve this issue.
Issue 1:
Connections where lower fares are not pricing: Example: College Station connecting through Dallas to Atlanta. Usually the lowest fare for a particular set of flights would be the published fare from College Station to Atlanta. Occasionally, a lower fare can be achieved by adding the fare from College Station to Dallas and the fare from Dallas to Atlanta. Currently Apollo is only offering the through fare and not checking for the possible lower two fares added together.
Issue2:
Three segment connections not pricing: Example: College Station to Houston to Atlanta to Daytona Beach. When searching by Price, no options are returned. If searching by Schedule, different options are provided. If the user selects flights from the schedule, a fare for those flights is returned, but other alternate flights and fares are not returned. Essentially, a price is given for specific flights, but the general fare search is not working
TOP
Log Out Changed
FAMIS has changed the Concur Log Out action to go to the SSO 'Menu' page instead of completely logging out of SSO when people click 'Log Out.' This is consistent with the action that happens when users log out of AggieBuy
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Change from MapQuest to Google Maps
Previously, on state funds, the preferred method online mileage calculator was MapQuest. With the transition to Concur, the preferred calculator will be Google Maps. Google Maps is already integrated with Concur so this change allows travelers to fully utilize the features of the system. As always a mileage log, or odometer readings can be provided instead of using the mapping feature. And this preference only applies to travel being paid from state funds. On local, you may still provide any online mileage calculator, mileage log, odometer readings, or use the mapping feature within Concur to calculate your mileage reimbursement.
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Credit Limits on University Cards
Please be aware when you are requesting credit limits on University Cards to build in cushions for rental car holds, and hotel holds. Typical amounts per vendor are between $200 and $400, so please ensure you account for these items when requesting available credit on the cards.
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Solutions for Routing Problems for Pre-Trip Authorizations
1. We also need travelers to hold off on submitting expense reports and Pre-Trip Authorizations when they are about to change departments or until their SSO data has been processed and fully updated
2. Department's need to be aware that, when they process terminations or transfers in advance, they may need to call the Payroll processor's attention to the effective date or their staff member may find themselves without Concur access prematurely.
3. If a staff member is moving from one department to another, all old travel requests must be processed or cancelled before their Adloc and SSO data changes.
4. If a staff member needs to complete a new Pre-Trip Authorization for the New Department prior to the completion of their EPA/SSO documents being fully processed, they will need to work with their new department to complete a manual or paper form of a PTA as it will be impossible for them to process a PTA in Concur prior to the effective change date and EPA/SSO processing.
5. Always check FAMIS screen 862 PRIOR to submitting a new PTA for staff members in transition from one department to another or moving pins or adlocs. Change a pin or adloc can have unintended consequences that must be resolved PRIOR to submitting a Pre-Trip authorization.
6. Don't forget that as part of a department's HR out-processing; the departing staff member must be removed from every individuals' Expense Delegate list as well as from the FAMIS E-office Routing for all desks including the DTV form. Many staff may leave TAMU only to remain employed by a TAMU system Member who also utilizes Concur. This will cause problems for your department and the staff member.
TOP
Payment card reallocation deadline - May 22nd
Payment card reallocations are due in CitiDirect by May 22, 2012.
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TAMU Voucher Status
The dates below apply only to FAMIS documents.
Purchase
Vendor Invoices 5/7/12
Indiv Pmt/Reimb 5/4/12
Travel
Employee Reimb 5/14/12
Direct Bills 5/11/12
TOP
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DIVISION OF FINANCE
