Software Settings

Browsers

Only the below browsers are supported, and must have the proper settings to be production with application in Enterprise Business Systems.

Google Chrome is on the most commonly used browsers. Though the EBS Portal is not supported on mobile devices, Chrome is the browser that will have the most functionality available on mobile.

Chrome does not support the autocomplete function.

At times it is helpful to "clear the cache" that is, delete the history of sites saved by the browser. To do this:

  1. Press the Control, Shift, and Delete keys together (or click the Customize and control Google Chrome button in the upper right, and select History, then History, then Clear browsing data....)
  2. For the time range to clear, select All time
  3. Make sure the Browsing history option is checked
  4. Then click the Clear Data button
  5. Close the tab
  1. At the top right, Customize and control Google Chrome button in the upper right
  2. Click Settings
  3. Under Privacy and security, click Site Settings
  4. Scroll down to the Content section
  5. Click Third-party cookies
  6. Click Allow third-party cookies

The PDF viewer that is built into Google Chrome cannot view all types of PDF documents, especially PDF Portfolios. It is recommended then to download files and view them in Adobe Reader, rather than attempt to view them in the browser window.

  1. Choose Customize and control Google Chrome (three vertical dots at end of toolbar)
  2. Then Settings
  3. Choose Privacy and Security (in the left pane)
  4. Choose Site Settings (in the right pane)
  5. Choose Additional Content Settings
  6. Select PDF Documents
  7. Select Download PDFs
  8. Close the tab

Browsers should be set to have English as the first language. Items may not display properly on screen if this is set to some other language.

  1. Choose the Customize and Control Google Chrome icon in the upper right
  2. Choose Settings
  3. Select Languages
  4. Make sure English (United States) is the top entry
  5. Add languages and select items to move as necessary
  6. Close the tab

Many links will open a new window. Make sure that the browser allows for pop-ups.

  1. Choose the Customize and Control Google Chrome icon in the upper right
  2. Choose Settings
  3. Select Privacy and security
  4. In the bottom of that section, choose Site Settings
  5. Then choose Popups and redirects
  6. Choose Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects
  7. Alternatively
    1. Choose Don't allow sites to send pop-ups or use redirects
    2. In the Allowed... section, choose ADD
    3. Type in https://secportal.ebsp.msu.edu then the ADD button
  8. Close the browser tab

A minimum screen resolution of 1200 wide and 960 high is recommended to avoid unnecessary scrolling.

Add-ins can prevent items from properly displaying in browser windows. Below are directions for disabling browser add-ins.

  1. Choose the Customize and Control Google Chrome icon in the upper right
  2. Choose Extensions, then Manage Extensions
  3. For each extension that is not required, either: turn it off using the slider or REMOVE it
  4. Close the tab

Having the zoom on the screen set to anything other than 100% can result in improper display of the screen, including a flickering screen. For most browsers, 0 (zero) resets the zoom to 100%.

  1. Choose the Customize and Control Google Chrome icon in the upper right
  2. Use the plus (+) and minus (-) signs to adjust the zoom to 100%
  3. Alternatively, you can hold down the control and zero (0) key on the top number bar on the keyboard

Edge is the built-in browser on Windows computers. Keeping your computer up-to-date with the monthly updates provided by Microsoft will guarantee you have the latest version of Edge.

Some browsers will allow you to reuse (autocomplete) a recent field entry. In order to use autocomplete in the SAP GUI for HTML, make the following setting:

  1. In the upper right hand corner of the browser, click the Settings & More (three dots) icon
  2. Select Settings
  3. Choose Privacy, search, and services
  4. Under Clear browsing data select Choose what to clear every time you close the browser
  5. Make sure the Autofill form data is set to Off

At times it is helpful to "clear the cache" that is, delete the history of sites saved by the browser. To do this:

  1. In the upper right hand corner of the browser, click the Setting and more (three dots) icon
  2. Then choose History
  3. Choose the Clear browsing data (trash can) icon
  4. Under Clear browsing data select the time range All Time and check all the boxes under Choose what to clear
  5. Select the Clear now button
  1. Click the Settings and more (three dots) icon located on the top-right corner
  2. Select Settings
  3. Click Cookies and site permissions
  4. Choose Manage and delete cookies and site data
  5. Make sure Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended) is set to on

The PDF viewer that is built into Microsoft Edge cannot view all types of PDF documents, especially PDF Portfolios. It is recommended then to download files and view them in Adobe Reader, rather than attempt to view them in the browser window.

  1. Choose Settings and more (three horizontal dots at end of URL bar)
  2. Select Settings
  3. Choose Cookies and site permissions 
  4. Select PDF documents (at right)
  5. Set slider to on for Always download PDF files
  6. Close the tab

Browsers should be set to have English as the first language. Items may not display properly on screen if this is set to some other language.

  1. Click the Settings and more" (three dots) icon located on the top-right corner
  2. Select Settings
  3. Choose Languages
  4. Make sure English (United States) is the first entry on the list.

Many links will open a new window. Make sure that the browser allows for pop-ups.

  1. Click the Settings and more (three dots) icon located on the top-right corner
  2. Select Settings
  3. Choose Cookies and site permissions
  4. Scroll down to Pop-ups and redirects
  5. Set the Block (recommended) slider option to off
  6. Alternatively, you may Add "*.msu.edu" in the Allow section

Edge can be reset to factory settings if needed to correct odd behavior.

  1. Click the Settings and more (three dots) icon located on the top-right corner
  2. Select Settings
  3. Choose Reset settings
  4. Then select Restore settings to their default value
  5. Choose the Reset button to confirm

A minimum screen resolution of 1200 wide and 960 high is recommended to avoid unnecessary scrolling.

Having the zoom on the screen set to anything other than 100% can result in improper display of the screen, including a flickering screen. To set the zoom to 100%:

  1. Choose the Settings and more (three dots) icon in the upper right of the browser window.
  2. Change the Zoom plus (+) or minus (-) icons until 100% is displayed.
  3. Alternatively, you can hold down the control and zero (0) key on the top number bar on the keyboard

Mozilla produces two Firefox productions, Firefox Rapid Release, which is updated roughly every six weeks, and Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR), which is updated roughly every 42 weeks. Due to the testing involved in new browsers, only the ESR version is supported for Enterprise Business Systems.

Some browsers will allow you to reuse (autocomplete) a recent field entry. In order to use autocomplete in the SAP GUI for HTML, arrow down to values, select the value, press the Tab key.

At times it is helpful to "clear the cache" that is, delete the history of sites saved by the browser. To do this:

  1. Press the Control, Shift, and Delete keys together (or click the Open application menu button (three parallel lines) in the upper right
  2. Select History
  3. Then select Clear Recent History
  4. For the time range to clear, select Everything
  5. Then click the Clear Now button

If you disallow caching, cookies from the SAP GUI for HTML site are not accepted, and this will prevent the uploading of attachments.

  1. Click the Open application menu icon at upper right
  2. Open Settings
  3. Then choose Privacy & Security
  4. Make sure that under the History section the setting for Firefox will: is set to Remember history. The other options will not allow the portal to access the browser file system.
  5. Close the tab
  1. Click the Open application menu button and choose Settings
  2. Select the Privacy & Security panel and go to the Enhanced Tracking Protection section
  3. Choose the Custom option
  4. Select Cross-site tracking cookies to enable cookies

There are two parts to allowing downloads:

  1. PART ONE:
    1. Click the Open application menu icon at upper right
    2. Choose Settings
    3. Choose General at left
    4. At right, scroll down to the Downloads section
    5. Choose Always ask you where to save files
    6. Close the browser window
  2. PART TWO:
    1. Type :about:config" into Firefox browser URL (you may be warned that this will void your browser warranty, but this is what Mozilla provides. Click I accept the risk! to continue.)
    2. Search for "browser.link.open" at top
    3. Make sure the following values are set. If they are not, double-click on the item and change them.
      1. browser.link.open_newwindow = 3
      2. browser.link.open_newwindow.restriction = 0
    4. Close the tab

The PDF viewer that is built into Firefox cannot view all types of PDF documents, especially PDF Portfolios. It is recommended then to download files and view them in Adobe Reader, rather than attempt to view them in the browser window.

  1. Choose Open Application Menu (three horizontal bars at end of URL bar)
  2. The select Settings
  3. Under the Applications section
  4. For Portable Document Format (PDF) change the setting to Use Windows Default Application (which should have the file association set to Adobe Reader) or Save File
  5. Close the tab

Browsers should be set to have English as the first language. Items may not display properly on screen if this is set to some other language.

  1. Click the Open application menu icon at upper right
  2. Choose Settings
  3. Choose General at left
  4. At right, scroll down to the Language section
  5. Select the Choose button
  6. Make sure English (US) is at the top of the list (if not at the top, add it, then Move Up to the top)
  7. Close the tab

Many links will open a new window. Make sure that the browser allows for pop-ups.

  1. Click the Open applications menu icon at upper right
  2. Choose Settings
  3. At left choose Privacy & Security
  4. At right, scroll down to the Permissions section
  5. Un-check the Block pop-up windows box
  6. Alternatively
    1. Check the Block pop-up windows box
    2. Choose the Exceptions button
    3. Enter "https://secportal.ebsp.msu.edu"
    4. Then click the Allow button
  7. Then Save Changes
  8. Alternatively, you uncheck the Block pop-up windows box

A minimum screen resolution of 1200 wide and 960 high is recommended to avoid unnecessary scrolling.

Opening a new tab rather than a new window may be preferred. The setting above will not open all windows in a new tab, however. To make sure all windows open as new tabs, take the additional step of allowing Downloads in Firefox (this may be restricted by your unit network administrator or desktop support). To do this:

  1. Click the Open application menu icon
  2. Then choose Settings
  3. On the General tab, under Tabs check the box Open links in tabs instead of new windows
  4. Close the extra browser tab

Add-ins can prevent items from properly displaying in browser windows. Below are directions for disabling browser add-ins.

  1. Click the Open applications menu icon at upper right
  2. Open Add-ons and themes
  3. Choose Extensions at left, For each extension, disable the extension by moving the slider to the left if not needed
  4. Choose Plugins at left, For each plugin, select the Never Activate if not needed
  5. Close the tab

Having the zoom on the screen set to anything other than 100% can result in improper display of the screen, including a flickering screen. For most browsers, 0 (zero) resets the zoom to 100%. Here are direction specific to each browser.

  1. Click the Open applications menu icon at upper right
  2. Under the Zoom section, use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to set it to 100%
  3. Alternatively, use the keyboard and simultaneously select the Control and zero keys

Safari is the ONLY browser supported on Apple Mac products.

Safari does not support the autocomplete function.

At times it is helpful to "clear the cache" that is, delete the history of sites saved by the browser. To do this:

  1. Choose Safari in the browser toolbar
  2. then Clear History...
  3. select all history
  4. then choose the Clear History button

If you disallow caching, the EBS Portal cannot use the browser file system, and it will appear to the EBS Portal as though you are using Private Browsing. This will prevent the uploading of attachments, since the browser file system cannot be accessed. To do this:

  1. Under Safari
  2. Then Settings
  3. Choose the Advanced tab.
  4. Under Privacy make sure the the flag Block all cookies is NOT checked.
  1. Under Safari
  2. Then Settings
  3. Choose the Advanced tab.
  4. Under Privacy make sure the the flag Block all cookies is NOT checked.
  1. Choose System Settings from the menu
  2. then go to Desktop and Dock
  3. Choose Safari in the Default web browser option

Browsers should be set to have English as the first language. Items may not display properly on screen if this is set to some other language.

  1. Click System Settings
  2. Go to General
  3. Then go to Language and Region
  4. Under Preferred Language list English (US) first

Many links will open a new window. Make sure that the browser allows for pop-ups.

  1. While logged in to the EBS Portal
  2. In Safari, choose Settings
  3. Go to the Websites tab
  4. Scroll down on the left to Pop-Up Windows
  5. Choose Allow

A minimum screen resolution of 1200 wide and 960 high is recommended to avoid unnecessary scrolling.

Opening a new tab rather than a new window may be preferred. To do this:

  1. From the menu, choose Safari
  2. Then choose Settings
  3. Go to the Tabs tab, answer the question Open pages in tabs instead of windows: as Always
  4. Close the dialog box

Add-ins can prevent items from properly displaying in browser windows. Below are directions for disabling browser add-ins.

  1. From the menu, choose Safari
  2. Then choose Settings
  3. Go to Extensions
  4. Uncheck Enable.... or Uninstall

Having the zoom on the screen set to anything other than 100% can result in improper display of the screen, including a flickering screen. For most browsers, 0 (zero) resets the zoom to 100%. Here are direction specific to each browser.

  1. Click View
  2. Select Actual Size

Additional Software

The following software may be used for specific purposes or by specific individuals, which will need the following settings.

PDFs are commonplace, but if you utilize Adobe Reader, you will need these settings. In addition to the general settings below, see the specific instructions above for each browser to "Download PDF attachments.

Adobe Reader must allow the running of javascript. Additionally, Adobe Reader must be installed after Acrobat Professional if the machine has both. Additionally, Adobe Reader must be same or higher version that Acrobat Professional.

  1. Choose Acrobat Acrobat from the start menu.
  2. From the menu bar, click Preferences from the bottom of the dropdown.
  3. At left, choose JavaScript.
  4. At right make sure Enable Acrobat JavaScript is checked.
  5. Choose OK and close the window.

Using Adobe Acrobat professional, multiple PDF documents can be combined into a single PDF document. This is convenient when a group of documents should be included together. However, Adobe offers two ways to do this. The method that creates a “PDF portfolio” can be problematic for approvers who want to view those documents when attached to an HR form; if you choose to use this method, people viewing these attachments may have to make a setting change to download the file (not view) in Edge, Firefox ESR, and Chrome (no such setting is available for Safari).

The preferred method is to 'Combine Files into a Single PDF' document.

  1. From Adobe Acrobat Professional
  2. From the menu, choose File
  3. Then choose Create
  4. Then choose Combine Files into a Single PDF…
  5. Add your files to the popup by using the Add files dropdown or dragging the files to the work area
  6. Then choose the Combine Files button
  7. From the menu bar, choose File
  8. Then Save as
  9. Name the file, and save it. Leave the default file type “PDF.”
  10. When this type of combined PDF file is attached to an HR Form, approvers will be able to open it in their browser without any special add-ins, addons, or extensions.

Adobe Reader must be installed AFTER Acrobat Professional if the machine has both. Additionally, Adobe Reader must be same or higher version that Acrobat Professional. If you are unsure of the order of installation, uninstall then reinstall Adobe Reader.

  1. From the Windows menu, click the Settings gear icon.
  2. Click Apps
  3. Find Adobe Acrobat in the list and select it.
  4. Choose the Uninstall option and follow the prompts on-screen.
  5. Once uninstalled, reinstall. Visit Adobe.com for a free download.

Your computer must be set up to associate PDF files with Adobe Reader. Additionally, Adobe Reader must be installed after Acrobat Professional if the machine has both. Additionally, Adobe Reader must be same or higher version that Acrobat Professional.

  1. In the Windows start menu, search for Default apps
  2. Then at the bottom, select Choose default apps by file type
  3. Scroll down until you find .pdf Adobe Acrobat Document at left.
  4. Choose the option next to it and select Adobe Acrobat
  5. Close the window.

Adobe Reader must be have the proper setting to avoid protected mode.

  1. Choose Acrobat Acrobat from the start menu.
  2. From the menu bar, click Preferences from the bottom of the dropdown
  3. At left, choose Security (Enhanced)
  4. At right make sure Enable Protected Mode at Start-up is NOT checked.
  5. Choose OK and close the window.

If you use assistive technology to work with Enterprise Business Systems, these settings are for you.

An accessibility flag can be activated once logged in. The accessibility flag will provide additional support for the NVDA and other screen readers.

  1. Select the person icon in the page header containing your name
  2. Choose the Adobe.com option
  3. Choose the Adobe.com option
  4. Move the slider to the right, activating the feature by setting it to true; if you are using a screen reader, this will read as a checkbox
  5. Choose the Adobe.combutton
  1. Open the NVDA menu.
  2. Choose the menu item Preferences
  3. Under Object Presentation check the Report Tooltips and Report Balloon Help settings
  4. Under "Browse Mode" check the Automatic focus mode for caret movement
  5. Confirm the dialog with OK

The following settings will help optimize JAWS for use with the EBS Portal and HR/Payroll System.

  1. Press Insert+6.
  2. Navigate to Miscellaneous, then Use Virtual PC Cursor
  3. Deselect the Use Virtual PC Cursor
  4. Exit the dialog box by choosing the OK button.

The following settings will help optimize JAWS for use with the EBS Portal and HR/Payroll System.

  1. Press Insert+6.
  2. Navigate to Speech Verbosity
  3. Choose the Beginner .... option
  4. Select the Tooltip checkbox (at the end of the list)
    If you use Intermediate or Advanced, activate the Tooltip as well.
  5. Exit the dialog box by choosing the OK button.

The following settings will help optimize JAWS for use with the EBS Portal and HR/Payroll System.

  1. Press Insert+6
  2. Navigate to Web/HTML/PDF and Images/Graphics
  3. In the For an Image, go to Speak and choose the First attribute found in the order list option
  4. The value title|alt|src should be entered in the Order List field
  5. Exit the dialog box by choosing the OK button

The following settings will help optimize JAWS for use with the EBS Portal and HR/Payroll System.

  1. While Adobe Reader is open to read a document...
  2. Choose the Insert (or JAWS modifier) and V keys to open the JAWS Quick Settings Dialog
  3. Select the option for Table Title
  4. Change the value to both row and column

Few people at MSU require the use of this software.

Accessibility mode needs to be set separately on the SAP GUI for Windows. Immediately following installation, have your desktop support set the following flag.

  1. From the Start Menu, type SAPLOGON to launch the logon pad
  2. Press the F10 key to open the menu
  3. Then arrow down to Options, or type O
  4. Under the Accessibility & Scripting node of the navigation tree, go to the Accessibility option
  5. In the detail screen, select the Use accessibility mode check box
  6. Select OK

Once accessibility is enabled, there are additional features that may be helpful and can be set using a screen reader. How messages are communicated can also be changed. Once accessibility mode is set, making changes will be easier:

  1. From the Start Menu, type SAPLOGON to launch the logon pad.
  2. Press the F10 key to open the menu
  3. Then arrow down to Options, or type O
  4. In the menu list, arrow down to Interaction Design
  5. Press the plus (+) key to open the submenu
  6. Arrow down to Notifications"
  7. Use the tab key to enter the settings
  8. There are three check boxes that will present success, warning, and error messages in a dialog box, rather than at the bottom of the page which may not be read. Use the spacebar to select them
    1. Show success messages in a dialog box
    2. Show warning messages in a dialog box
    3. Show error messages in a dialog box
  9. Tab to the OK button and use the spacebar or enter key to save
  10. Close the SAP GUI for Windows window then restart the SAP Logon Pad for the changes to take effect

In order for browsers to open the SAP GUI for Windows, they must recognize the type of file it is.

  1. Search for Default Programs
  2. Select Choose default apps by file type
  3. Scroll down to find .sap and choose SAP GUI for Windows

See instructions below for installing the SAP GUI for Windows.

Instructions and Download of SAP GUI for Windows

Once downloaded, follow these instructions:

  1. Launch the installer file…
  2. Choose Next
  3. Check the box in the left pane, then Next
  4. The status of installation will show…
  5. You will receive this message once installation is complete…
  6. The SAP GUI for Windows can be launched from the HR-Payroll System tile in the EBS Portal

The current version of the SAP GUI for Windows is 800. Versions 750 and 760 are no longer supported. Version 770 will be out of support spring 2024.

  1. Open the SAP Logon app
  2. Go to About SAP Logon
  3. The Version and Patch Level will show (e.g Release: 800 Final Release - 32bit, Patch Level: 3, Hotfix: 1)

The proper security must be set in the SAP Logon Pad. Note, since you must be on the Virtual Private Network (VPN) and have launched the SAP GUI for Windows via the EBS Portal, you have sufficient authorization to use this application without this additional setting. Setting to "Customized" will prompt you to save new transaction when launched from the SAP GUI for Windows, which can be avoided as noted below.

  1. Under All Apps (or Programs), look for the SAP Front End folder, then the SAP Logon
  2. Hit the F10 key, then select Options
  3. Under Security, then Security Configuration, set the value to Disabled

When working off campus using the SAP GUI for Windows, log into the MSU Virtual Private Network (VPN) using BIG-IP Edge Client (F5).

Download Big-IP Edge Client (F5)

The theme will be applied regardless of whether you open the SAP GUI for Windows through the logon pad or EBS Portal. Belize is the recommended theme for optimal performance of the SAP GUI for Window

  1. From the Windows Start menu, navigate to the SAP Logon option
  2. Click the SAP icon in the upper left, then Options
  3. Open the Visual Design folder, then select Theme Settings
  4. Choose the Belize Theme from the Select Theme options
  5. Click OK, then close the window.

If you work in multiple SAP environments (sandbox, test, quality assurance, production, etc.) you may find it helpful to color-code them as a reminder to yourself of what is allowed in each. As a suggestion: red=production, yellow=quality assurance, green=test, and purple=sandbox

  1. Log into each environment
  2. On the menu bar, choose the two gear icon SAP GUI Settings and Actions
  3. then Options
  4. then Visual Design
  5. then Color Settings
  6. then Colors in System
  7. choose the Belize... color you would like
  8. then OK

Windows must have the font size set properly.

  1. From the Start menu
  2. Choose Settings
  3. Then choose Ease of Access
  4. Select Display (at left)
  5. Under Make everything bigger choose Display (which must be 100% or 125% max)