DICE Team Update

I am often asked specific questions by readers about a situation in their shop. I enjoy hearing from readers about their real-life situations. One of the most frequent questions I hear is "How do I keep a specific user from accessing certain data files on my system?".

The answer depends a many varia-bles. First of all, if the user you want to block has been set up with all ob-ject authority at the user profile level (SPCAUT containing the *ALLOBJ setting), then there is really nothing you can do at the operating system level to block access. This is a fre-quent song that I sing, but there should be precious few user profiles on your system with this level of ac-cess. And, you should have some pretty good business reasons for granting it to those profiles where this level is supported. Assuming that this is not an issue, then the easiest way to block access to a specific file is to edit the authori-ty for that object using the Edit Ob-ject Authority (EDTOBJAUT) com-mand. Add an entry for the user pro-file you want to block and set it to *EXCLUDE. If you want to block eve-ryone except certain users, then set the *PUBLIC access to the object to *EXCLUDE and specifically author-ize the profiles where access needs to be granted. If your object is secured by an au-thorization list, then you should make these changes to the associated au-thorization list. The list in force is shown when you edit the object au-thority. Having your object authority controlled by an authorization list is a good idea as it lets you make securi-ty changes at any time, not just when the object is not in use. Also, you can secure multiple objects with the same authorization list thereby

Blocking Object Access

simplifying your security admin-istration task.

If you decide that you want to block access to all the files in a given library, then you can edit the object authority for the li-brary. Adding *EXCLUDE ac-cess authority at the library level will extend to all objects within the library. Remember, this will extend to all objects in the li-brary, not just data file objects. This could be a concern for you depending on how your applica-tions are implemented.

You can also exclude users from accessing objects that are stored in the Integrated File Sys-tem (IFS). In the IFS, you can specify *EXCLUDE authority for any object for a given user pro-file. From the command line, you can work with IFS security from the WRKLNK command. From iSeries Access, the security functions are also available and may be easier to work with for you.

Lastly, if you have a whole group of people where you want to block access, consider placing them all into a group on your system. If you are already using group profiles and your blocking scheme does not match up with your current group implementa-tion, then you can set up the us-ers to be blocked in a supple-mental group. The IBM i/OS provides for up to 14 supple-mental groups for each user pro-file on the system giving you a lot of flexibility. Remember, do-ing things at the group level re-duces your security administra-tion overhead.

Please visit www.kisco.com for more security tips.

IBM i Security Tips

Loeber, Rich. “Blocking Object Access.” E-mail 9 November 2012. www.kisco.com.

Changes Available to Send PRR Num-

ber as Part of the Core Credit Request

When a PRR (Parts Return Request) is assigned as part of the Core Return pro-cess, CAT will begin requiring a PRR number be sent as part of the Core Credit Request (CCR) transaction when requested. FDC Solutions has made changes to allow the user to enter the PRR and include it in the CCR transac-tion. This new requirement will be in force as of January 20, 2013. We will be contacting each of our ERP dealers the

beginning of January.

DBS-STW Transfer Utility Available

FDC Solutions has created a new ver-sion of the DBS-STW Transfer Utility, which will allow the Durability Indicator to be sent to DBS. Please contact us if you are interested in this application.

CatUsed MidTier Interface Retirement Date Extended

The MidTier interface for CatUsed was scheduled to be retired December 31, 2012. The interface retirement has been extended until April 1, 2013 to allow dealers additional time to implement the Web service interface. All dealers that use the CatUsed MidTier interface are required to implement a Web services interface by the new deadline.

FDC has the Web Service in production at one pilot dealership, and we have al-ready worked with our dealers to deter-mine the filters needed for CAT-Used Equipment. We will begin testing these filters with the remaining dealers in Jan-uary 2013.

New Application Codes Added for Power Systems Sales Reporting

As a result of new product/warranty cov-erage offered by CAT, the Power Sys-tems Sales Reporting has added three new Application codes for specific Princi-ple Work Codes (PWC), for use within the Engine Sales Reporting tools DSIM, and SCORE. These codes will need to be added to DBS in order to allow enter-ing/editing of the new Application Codes.

Please contact FDC Support for instruc-tions to add these Application codes and PWCs in DBS/DBSi.

http://www.kisco.com/ibm-i-security-tips/?p=162

http://www.kisco.com/ibm-i-security-tips/?p=162

DICE Team Update (Continued)

We are pleased to introduce the newest members of FDC: Maureen Dowdall and George Howard. Maureen joined FDC in December. She over 20 years of experience as a Business Systems Analyst on the AS/400 Platform. Many of those years were in the automotive in-dustry, implementing, documenting, training and supporting RF Invento-ry/Warehouse modules, as well as Real-Time Data Entry system for manufacturing. In her role with FDC, Maureen will be working on iSeries development projects. In her spare time, she enjoys camp-ing and traveling with her family and touring with friends on their motorcycle.

George joined FDC in November. He is from San José, Costa Rica.

From the FDC Employees

George previously worked as an IT manager for a Caterpillar dealer. His 17 years’ experi-ence working in the Latin American dealer community includes: 15 years’ experience in DBS installations as part of the Caterpillar install team and Caterpillar Solution Center and over 10 years’ experience training and support in the Ser-vice modules of DBS. He is married with wife Xiannie, blessed with 3 wonderful chil-dren: Kevin, Bryan, and Nicole. George enjoys spending time with his family and volunteers his time with church activities and projects. He likes all sports and enjoys playing basketball.

Additions to FDC Staff

Trimble Billing Extract to be Updated

for VisionLink

The Trimble electronic billing extract produced within the Trimble Billing Por-tal system is being modified. The chang-es are planned to be implemented for the January 2013 invoicing run (around the 20th of the month) for VisionLinkTM application services. Any dealer pro-cesses that use the electronic invoice data contained within the monthly billing extract need to be evaluated and adjust-ed as necessary to support changes to the extract format and data presentation.

Trimble Receivables Manager interface(s) are impacted.

This does not require changes to DBS/DBSi unless you have developed a deal-er-specific process related to the Trim-ble electronic billing extract.

Equipment Data Interface to DBS/

DBSi

The current DBS/DBSi interface to post Equipment Data information is being retired, effective April 1, 2013. There are changes to the Mid Tier interface that pulled Equipment Data information from your Dealer Management System (DMS), and is now being replaced with new solution using XML and a RESTful web service to transmit the data from DBS to CAT.

FDC is developing a solution to con-sume the Equipment Data Web service, and will contact our dealers when this solution is available for implementation.

New Business Intelligence Interfaces

Coming in 2013

New Work Order, Invoice, Equipment and Customer Interfaces will be availa-ble to support several CAT and dealer product support applications. Applica-tions include: CAT Opportunity Lead Generation Analyzer - OLGA, Customer Portal, CAT Equipment Care Advisor – ECA, Global Warranty and Quality & Reliability.

FDC Solutions is analyzing the interfac-es and will keep you informed.

How to Keep Thieves Guessing Kirchheimer, S. (2012). Scam Alert. aarp.org/bulletin.

Avoid PIN Chagrin

You might be careful about giving out your social security number and change your computer passwords as often as your socks, but is your per-sonal identification number (PIN) pro-tected? Your pin is not protected if you picked it using common practices aimed at making it easier to remem-ber.

There are 10 PINS that cellphone thieves love. In order of popularity, the most common PINS are: 1234, 0000, 2580 (a top-to-bottom key pad se-quence), 1111, 5555, 5683 (which spells “love”), 0852 (a bottom-to-top keypad sequence), 2222, 1212, and 1998.

Here is how to safeguard the four-digit gateways to your money and cell-phone:

Do not use your birthdate as a PIN. The bad guys know people do this.

Avoid the last four digits of your social security number.

Your phone number? Forget it. Internet-savvy scoundrels can get the information with an online search of public rec-ords.

Thieves have a hard time guessing that your favorite holiday is Christmas (1225).

Four-digit PINs are standard, but go longer if you are allowed. The more digits, the harder to crack.

Once you choose a good PIN, never carry a reminder in your wallet and cover your hand at the ATM when typing your PIN from prying eyes or scammer-installed hidden cameras.

Dealer Happenings

Merry Christmas and Happy

Holidays From All of Us at

FDC Solutions

Purchase Order System FDC Solutions’ Purchase Order System is the only comprehensive purchasing product on the market developed specifi-cally for Caterpillar dealers. The applica-tion is fully integrated with DBS/DBSi and accounting. Butler Machinery will be going live on the Purchase Order Module in the first quarter of 2013. CODA Upgrades The following ERP supported dealers have recently upgraded their release of CODA: Puckett Machinery and Hawthorne Machinery upgraded to release 11.3 in October 2012. Ringpower, Kramer, and Ohio CAT are in process. Giles & Ransome upgraded to release 12.0 on December 3, 2012. DBS—WMS Interface In Process: Ferreyros in Lima, Peru is implementing TECSYS WMS using our DBS-WMS interface.

Operations Reminder Caterpillar has two major price changes per year (January 1 and July 1). These price changes re-place all prices on the three major price files (Machine, Engine and Parts). Be sure to down-load the three price files. Machine and price jobs can be run in De-cember because the records added to the file have an effective date. Parts must be run after the last day of business for 2012 and before the start of business in 2013 (normally the job is run on Janu-ary 1) because the price is changed on each parts record. If you use Robot Calendars: Add the 2013 holidays Enter the dates for month-end-

processing

Contact us:

FDC Solutions Inc.

456 Fulton Street, Suite 298A

Peoria, IL 61602

(309) 676-7795

[email protected]

http://fdcsolutions.net

http://fdcsolutions.net

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