HMIS Reporting Tool Upgrade: It’s BusinessObjects Time!
As regular readers may recall, ICA shared back in April that we anticipated access to ART would be terminated shortly after reports were copied from ART to the new reporting tool, BusinessObjects. Almost three months and one successful report copy later, ART is still available in HMIS. While we continue to have access to the old reporting tool, ICA is now advising users to start using BusinessObjects.
Why can we still use ART?
WellSky, the HMIS software vendor, has delayed the final shutdown of ART until it can apply an update to BusinessObjects. While ICA is excited for the benefits promised by that update, we do not want to continue delaying the transition to BusinessObjects.
Why transition to BusinessObjects now?
After extensive testing, ICA is confident that BusinessObjects can meet the needs of our HMIS users. Additionally, because there will be no further copies of reports from ART to BusinessObjects, all report development is now taking place within the new tool.
What do I need to know to start using BusinessObjects?
Links to access BusinessObjects can be found on the Report Dashboard and in the navigation menu under “Reports”. Eventually, an HMIS update will replace the “Connect to ART” link with one that takes users to BusinessObjects instead.
To help users familiarize themselves with the new reporting tool, ICA has created the following resources:
Videos on the Forms & Instructions page of the MN HMIS website:
Articles in the HMIS Reporting section of the Knowledge Base:
We will also be updating the Reporting and Evaluation Moodle course on July 15th, replacing the current ART lesson with one dedicated to BusinessObjects. Other ART resources, like those found in the Knowledge Base, will continue to be available until WellSky disables our users’ access to the old reporting tool.
Have a question about BusinessObjects? Send a message to our Helpdesk at mnhmis@icalliances.org and they will be happy to help!