Account:
In Banner, the account code defines area in which the transaction should be recorded. For example, an invoice paid for office supplies, it is charged to 7127.
Activity:
The activity can be used to track an event or on-going activity in one org or across orgs.
Block:
Every Banner form consists of two or more blocks. Each block contains similarly related information fields. Banner blocks are visually separated by a solid horizontal line.
Chart of Accounts (COAS):
This field is required on any forms where it is present. The value is always 1.
Field:
The lowest level of detail in a form is a field. A field displays a specific data element. Examples of data fields include last name, vendor id, fund, account, document number, etc.
Form:
Banner screens are referred to as forms and are where you interactively enter and look up information. Every form has been assigned a unique name. For example, the organization budget status form is named FWIBDST. A form is comprised of blocks and fields.
FOAPAL:
This is an acronym for the accounting code block (budget number). The acronym FOAPAL is created by taking the first character of each component. The budget number consists of six components, Fund, Organization, Account, Program, Activity and Location (Location is not used at the College). It communicates to Banner in alphanumeric code how a transaction is being paid or how to credit revenue received.
Fund:
College revenues and expenses all have a funding source. The College's unrestricted general fund is fund 10000. Spendable gifts are in the 20xxx or 21xxx series. Sponsored research grants are in the 25xxx series. Endowed funds are in the 3xxxx series.
Program:
Every org has a 3-digit default program code associated with it, which groups orgs into certain more general groupings, e.g. 105 is instructional..
Oracle:
The relational database management system developed and copyrighted by the Oracle Corporation and used by Banner.
Organization (Org):
The org code, short for organization code, identifies the budgetary unit (department) responsible for managing the funds queried. The org code is needed to post revenue, expenses, transfers and to set up budgets.
Query:
Querying is a means of looking up information by having Banner retrieve and display the information on screen (from). It is an information retrieval function.
Record:
Every transaction is stored in Banner as a record. A record is analogous to a paper document in a file cabinet. If a query retrieves several transactions that match your query, Banner will state the number of records found.
SunGard:
The company that developed the Banner products. Formerly known as SCT (Systems and Computer Technology).
Transaction:
Each financial event is a transaction. Issuing a purchase order and processing a departmental billing are examples of Banner transactions.
Window:
A window is a framed, rectangular area within a form. A Banner form has one or more windows. The first window in a form is called the main window. Any other windows in the form are called additional windows. Multiple windows can be open at the same time. Not all windows are the same size, so you may see parts of more than one window if multiple windows are open at the same time.
