Access to BCS Systems

Statements of Responsibility

If you need access to the B/P/P System, a User ID and security rights must be established. Please print out the appropriate Statement of Responsibility form, fill out and fax to (979)458-6299.

VPN Connection

To use the BPP SQL Database or the Alva data, you will need to be connected to the Texas A&M statewide network. For those not behind the TAMU firewall in College Station, you will need to download and install the VPN client to be able to access this data. Instructions for setting up and configuring the VPN client are located at this CIS website link. To download and run the VPN client, you will need to have activated your TAMU NetID. If you have not already done so, information on activating your NetID can be found at netid.tamu.edu.

Once you determine if you will be able to login or not, print the "BPP SQL and Alva Statement of Responsibility" form at the top of this page and fax it to the B/P/P Operations Center at (979) 458-6299. (Please include an e-mail address on the form where the user requesting access can be reached. There is not a space for this on the form but you can write it under the name.) After the form has been processed you will be notified of your username and password to logon to the BPP server.

BPP SQL Database

The BPP SQL Database is a database that contains current data from the BPP system. By using this database, users are able to produce their own queries, reports, etc. more quickly and to their specifications. The database is updated with information from the B/P/P Mainframe System each Thursday night.

For detailed information on setting up your PC to access the BPP SQL database, see BPP SQL Database Setup. Also, here is a step-by-step guide for Setting up the ODBC datasource on your computer.

Information on relinking tables to reflect recent changes is located here.

There are a few differences between Access and SQL that need to be watched for when developing queries. These differences will be documented in Access & SQL Differences and kept up-to-date as we identify items that could affect your coding.

ALVA Setup

Also available on the BPP Server is a copy of the calendar year to date Earning Register for each payroll office. Using the ALVA System View, this report may be searched, viewed and printed as needed. This is a much simpler method to retrieve data rather than using microfiche.

You will need to map a network drive as follows to be able to access the Alva data.

Alva mapping instructions:

  1. Right click on "My Computer" and select "Map Network Drive" & select a drive letter
  2. Under "Folder:", enter \\sago-ftp.tamu.edu\Alva
  3. Make sure that "Reconnect at logon" is turned on
  4. If prompted for a user name and password, use your SAGO\username and password
  5. Click Finish
  6. The Alva setup and program files will be in an Alva subfolder

After setting up the drive mapping and obtaining a userid/password, follow the instructions in BPP Alva Setup for configuring Alva on your PC

If you have any questions please call or send an e-mail to bpphelp@tamu.edu