ARCHIVED CD 1998-026

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November 24, 1998

SUBJECT: Response time difficulties of the on-line application of the Regional Pay System

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this directive is to advise you that Public Works Government and Services Canada (PWGSC) is aware that their clients are experiencing slow response time difficulties with the on-line application of the Regional Pay System (RPS). This is an update on what we are currently doing to address this situation and to make suggestions on how our clients can help improve the response time.

1.2 In this text, use of the masculine is generic and applies to both men and women.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 The RPS is periodically experiencing difficulties in providing an acceptable response time for on-line transactions. This situation is caused by the volume of transactions that must be finalized in a very short period of time, usually at the close-out of a regular pay cycle (7C and/or 7B/7A).

2.2 PWGSC is reviewing a number of areas in the RPS to identify where the problems reside, including: bulk authorization, the Verifier and Pay and Benefit functions and the Extra Duty Pay and Time Summary functions. Once the problems are identified, a plan for modification will be developed.

2.3 Until the problems are found and identified, response time may improve if authorization is staggered over several days.

3. PROCEDURES/INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 The current practice of locking out the users when the system is overloaded will be changed whereby the screen will display the following message: AREA TEMPORARILY INACCESSIBLE - PLEASE TRY AGAIN, and the user's request will automatically be cancelled. This will allow the user to perform other tasks at their workstation while awaiting access.

3.1.1. Clients are being requested to authorize a greater portion of their pay transactions several days prior to the pay close outs. This will assist in reducing the volume for the bulk authorization at close out times. In addition, Compensation Advisors and Verifiers are requested to limit the number of enquiries against transactions pending authorization.

3.2. On-line clients should note that the RPS is available between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). The RPS will also be available every Saturday until the end of November between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM EST.

3.3 Clients are reminded that the 1998 Calendar Year End close-out is December 16, 1998, and with the implementation of the Standard Payment System, it is not possible to produce manual cheques to issue payments between the Year End close out and the New Year to reflect on the 1998 statements of earnings.

4. INQUIRIES

4.1 Any request for information regarding the foregoing should be addressed to your PWGSC Compensation Services Office.


Original Signed by
P. Charko

P. Charko
Director General
Compensation Sector
Government Operational Service

Reference: 9024-551