Service Summary | MicroStrategy Specifications | Getting This Service | Availability | Training | Policy |

Service Summary

The MicroStrategy platform supports interactive dashboards, scorecards, highly formatted reports, ad hoc query, thresholds and alerts, and automated report distribution. The application helps to analyze internal and external data in order to make informed business decisions.

Getting This Service

MicroStrategy Access

To gain or change access to MicroStrategy, you must follow the same process as requesting access to Banner. Please follow the procedures on the Banner Access website. The first step is to contact the Banner Liaison for your department and fill out a Banner Administrative Systems Account Request form, which should include the following:

  • Data Mart Access Section
    • Identify data marts needed for access (e.g., Finance, Human Resources, Admissions, etc.).
    • If access to the BI Dashboards is requested, please send the form to hris@gmu.edu.
  • Notes Section
    • If possible, please specify to mimic an existing Mason NetID for similar access (i.e., mimic access similar to jdoe).
    • If the individual is a Principal Investigator (PI), please indicate such in the notes section.

MicroStrategy Login

  • Wired Network or connected to Mason's VPN: User accessing MicroStrategy from a computer connected to Mason's wired network (except Mason Korea) or Mason's VPN may log in to MicroStrategy directly.
  • Remote/Wi-Fi Networks: Users accessing MicroStrategy from off-campus or while connected to Mason's Wi-Fi networks will be required to use Mason’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) before you can log in to MicroStrategy.
    • If you are already a VPN user, log in to Cisco AnyConnect Client with your Mason NetID and Patriot Pass Password. Once connected, visit the MicroStrategy site to log in with your NetID and Patriot Pass Password.
    • If you need VPN access, see the instructions on Virtual Private Network (VPN) to download the Cisco AnyConnect client from the Related Downloads box on this page. Once you have the client installed, log in to the VPN with your NetID and Patriot Pass Password and then MicroStrategy.

MicroStrategy Specifications

Mason is currently running MicroStrategy version 2021.

IMPORTANT: 

MicroStrategy 2021 does not support Microsoft Internet Explorer.

MicroStrategy supports and works best with the latest version of the following Web browsers:

  • Apple Safari
  • Google Chrome
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Mozilla Firefox

Note: Web users will be timed out after 30 minutes idle time.

Availability

The Data Warehouse and MicroStrategy are available, in general, seven days a week, 365 days a year, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. EST.

Systems will be unavailable during the following weekly maintenance windows:

  • Every day 8 p.m.–8:15 p.m.
  • Saturdays 7 a.m.–7:15 a.m.
  • Sundays 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Users can submit a request for assistance 24 x 7. However, the BI Group is only available for support 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Data Mart Refresh Statuses

View near real-time data mart load statuses. You will need to be on the VPN and log in with your Mason e-mail username/password before the report will be displayed.

Overnight Maintenance

  • Data Mart Loads: Fresh data is loaded each day:
    • Overnight 12:05 a.m.–7:00 a.m.
    • The Finance Data Mart is also refreshed at noon
    • MicroStrategy is available during refresh windows, but some data may be incomplete or performance may be slow
  • Security Scripts: These scripts automatically create user accounts and assign permissions to users based on database permissions
    • Overnight 8:30 p.m.–4:00 a.m.

Note: If maintenance is required outside of these hours, it will be announced on the Alerts & Bulletins page.

Training

Mason has many options available for MicroStrategy training: in-person training and business process training, as well as a multitude of quick guides for specific purposes. Information on these training options can be found on the Business Intelligence's Training & Workshops page.

Policy

All MicroStrategy users must adhere to the following Mason policies:

In addition, all users must adhere to the following policies pertaining to specific data.

Academic Data Mart

The Academic Data Mart contains sensitive and confidential information protected by FERPA and/or University policy. It is designed to provide unofficial data to authorized university employees for internal departmental use in support of their academic and administrative duties. The unauthorized use of this system and its material is strictly forbidden and may constitute a violation of state and/or federal law.

Data obtained from the Academic Data Mart may not be disclosed or used for reasons other than specifically set forth in your position responsibilities. The data cannot be shared with anybody outside of the university. Persons not adhering to FERPA and university policies (listed above) regarding protecting sensitive and confidential information will be subject to disciplinary measures, up to and including termination. If you are unclear about your responsibilities when obtaining data from MicroStrategy, contact the FERPA Compliance Specialist for more details.

HR/Payroll Data: MicroStrategy Access Terms of Agreement

Employees granted access to MicroStrategy HR/Payroll data have visibility to university-wide employee and financial information. All users must adhere to the terms below.

Employees may NOT:

  • Access or run reports on data that are not directly related to your job duties at Mason including financial, employee compensation, or other employee-related data within or outside of your division or unit.
  • Access data or run reports to conduct comparative compensation analyses of individuals outside of your division or unit, acknowledging official compensation analyses are conducted by the classification and compensation team within HR & Payroll.
  • Disclose to any other person who does not have a business “need to know,” or allow any other person access to any information related to employee records. Disclosure of information includes, but is not limited to, verbal discussions, FAX transmissions, electronic mail messages, voice mail communication, written documentation, “loaning” computer access codes and passwords, and/or any other transmission or sharing of data.

Employees MUST:

  • Comply with or seek official exceptions to applicable policies and procedures.
  • Arrange for automatic updates of your computer's anti-virus protection and operating system patches.
  • Identify and manage work-related risks (strategic, financial, compliance, operations, and hazards).
  • Assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

By not following these terms, Mason and its employees, students, or others may suffer irreparable harm by disclosure of confidential or proprietary information. Mason may seek legal remedies available to it should such disclosure occur. Failure to comply with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations may result in a loss of resources, and that Mason may seek legal remedies available to it should such losses occur. Violations of this agreement may result in disciplinary action appropriate to the severity of the offense.