The Office of the State Controller (OSC) is converting to an upgraded, more efficient process for creating the North Carolina Accounting System (NCAS) DSS data files (.mdc files).  This new process will allow the OSC to deliver additional views of purchasing, accounts payable, and fixed asset data later this calendar year.

The standard report (.ppr) files that are delivered by the OSC to agencies will be upgraded by the OSC staff and distributed as soon as the conversion is complete.  The distribution of these reports is currently planned in June, 2001, in time for preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.  No software upgrade or additional training for current users is required.

The only requirement for the DSS users relating to this upgrade is the need to recreate the customized agency-specific report (.ppr) files.  The OSC requests that agencies begin reviewing and prioritizing their customized DSS reports.  If there are high priority customized reports which users are unable to recreate once the new production-ready data (.mdc) files are available, agencies should send a prioritized list to the OSC, preferably with a sample or description of the report.  The OSC will provide assistance recreating high priority reports on a first-come, first-served basis .

To receive assistance with questions regarding customized DSS Reports, the DSS users should contact the OSC NCAS Help Desk at 875-HELP (4357).  The DSS users can also email the OSC NCAS Help Desk with the attached customized reports at the NCAS Help Desk email address:  helpdesk@mail.osc.state.nc.us.

Please note that reports using the new data files must be created with Cognos PowerPlay 6.5, the version currently distributed as part of the DSS.  Later in the calendar year, the OSC will make available PowerPlay 6.6, which is Windows 2000 compatible.  If your agency has an immediate need for a Windows 2000 version, please call the OSC Help Desk.

The OSC is excited about the new DSS enhancements.  As always, we are committed to providing the NCAS users with the most current technological tools to support the State’s information access business requirements.

ZKP/RL