NSTAR  

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What's New

  • Combined State and Local Budgeting will be available from March 4th to April 29th 2013

Getting Started in NSTAR

NSTAR is NAU’s centralized budgeting software system. NSTAR is used for budgeting, planning, forecasting, reporting and analysis. The NSTAR system is maintained and administered by the University Budget Office. During the annual budget processes for both State and Local Accounts, JFR’s and business managers can enter their budgets directly into NSTAR.

Once the budgets are approved by the JFR’s the budget office can then review and approve the budgets. This information is then used to create the Budget book and other necessary reports for the President, ABOR and other Arizona state agencies.

NSTAR is a business planning and consolidation software designed by SAP. It uses a Microsoft Excel platform and the same functionally which makes the system extremely user friendly.

Security Access

 NSTAR security is maintained by the University Budget Office. NSTAR has several different levels of security that are customized for each individual NSTAR user. 

Access to the NSTAR system is granted by your JFR or VP. To gain access to the NSTAR system the NSTAR Security Form must be completed with all signatures and returned to the University Budget Office. The user must then take and obtain a passing grade on the NSTAR User Test (see below). 

Once these two items are completed the Budget Office will be able to set up the appropriate level of security for the user.

If you have question on whether you need access to the NSTAR System please contact your JFR.

The Budget Office has also established an NSTAR User Group List Serve to let users know of many NSTAR updates or service interruptions.

NSTAR User Test

Before you take the test, we recommend that you watch and review the NSTAR Training and NSTAR Budget Report powerpoints, as the quiz is based on the information found there.

To take the NSTAR User test, you will be redirected to SelectSurvey.com, which several departments on campus use for surveys and quizzes.

Login using your NAU id and password, and choose NAU as the domain.

Your quiz results will be emailed to you and to the Budget Office.
Passing is 13 out of 16 correct.

Take the test now.

Good luck!
If you have any questions, please contact or email the Budget Office.

Computer Requirements
USERS MUST BE ADMINISTRATORS ON THEIR MACHINES!!

NSTAR IS COMPATIBLE with:

Browser:

  • IE 6
  • IE 7
  • IE 8
  • IE 9

Operating System:

  • Windows XP
  • Vista
  • Windows 7

Spreadsheet:

  • Excel 2000
  • Excel 2003
  • Excel 2007
  • Excel 2010 (MS Office 32-bit aka x86)

.NET framework:

Version 1.1 is required for NSTAR
Excel 2007 uses framework v3.5 and uninstalls v1.1

To reinstall v1.1, follow this link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=262D25E3-F589-4842-8157-034D1E7CF3A3&displaylang=en
(This will not affect Excel 2007 and will not replace v3.5)

NSTAR IS NOT COMPATIBLE with:

Browser:

  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Google Chrome

Operating System:

  • Excel 2010 MS Office 64-bit
  • Apple Macintosh

If you have any questions about your NSTAR compatibility, please contact or email the Budget Office.

Installation
NSTAR Installation Instructions
Glossary of Terms
Action Pane  (aka Current View)
The navigation box in NSTAR where dimensions and members can be chosen.
BPC
Business Planning and Consolidation. IE: BPC for Excel
Choice Box
Yellow rectangle on a NSTAR report or template that allows the use to choose different options such as year or department unit, that affects the information the report or template displays.
Company Folder
the area in NSTAR under Open Report Library and Open Schedule Library where reports and input schedules are found.
Connection Wizard
NSTAR navigation option that allows user to see what server and application set they are working in. The connection wizard can be used to reconnect to the NSTAR database if use is disconnected.
eAnalyze
Excel dropdown in NSTAR where the user can access reports.
eSubmit
Excel dropdown in NSTAR where the user can access templates.
FINANCE
The NSTAR application where users input and review financial budget information.
Hierarchy
The NAU roll-up from unit to department to branch to cabinet.
HR
The NSTAR application where users input and review HR and salary budget information.
Input Schedule (aka Template)
Excel worksheet that is used to input budget information into the NSTAR database.
NAU_PROD
The NSTAR application set that users should be connected to.
Open Report Library
Excel dropdown choice under eAnalyze where the user can access reports.
Open Schedule Library
Excel dropdown choice under eSubmit where the user can access templates.
PINON
the NSTAR server name. also referenced as PINON.UCC.NAU.EDU.
Refresh Button
Queries NSTAR database and returns information to current worksheet. 
Report
Excel worksheet that is used to review budget information that has been enter into the NSTAR database.
Submit Button
Submits information to the NSTAR database.
Template (aka Input Schedule)
Excel worksheet that is used to input budget information into the NSTAR database. 
NSTAR FAQ's
FAQ's