Direct Access Outage Scheduled 24-28 May U.S. Coast Guard no topic

R 151219 MAY 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05298//
ALCOAST 183/18
COMDTNOTE 5298

SUBJ: DIRECT ACCESS UPGRADE IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. This ALCOAST announces necessary preparations in advance of the scheduled upgrade of Direct Access. The software improvement of Direct Access is required to complete the 9.2 version upgrade. While this will result in five days of maintenance without access to our Human Capital Management System, Direct Access, the upgrade will ensure continued on time processing of payroll and enable future improvements to Direct Access.

2. At 2100 EDT, Thursday, 24 MAY 2018, Direct Access will be taken offline for the upgrade, and will be reactivated at 0600 EDT, Tuesday, 29 MAY 2018. While users will not have access to the system during the upgrade, there will be no data lost during the maintenance period.

3. The Direct Access upgrade affects all users: Active Duty, Reserve, Retirees and Civilian personnel. In order to prepare for the maintenance period, please ensure that all military absence requests, processing of pay or separations paperwork and processing of orders are completed NLT COB, Wednesday, 23 MAY 2018.

4. Your logon access to Direct Access self-service will remain the same, however, the URL will change on 29 MAY 2018. Direct Access will automatically redirect you to the new URL log on the home page. After that time, we recommend you update your favorites with the new URL to ensure quick and easy access. Once you access the new URL, you will notice the following improved functionalities:

1. Cleaner look and feel
2. Work Centers for key business transactions
3. New Navigation Options
4. Unified Header with home page tabs (self-service, requests, etc.)

5. The base system functionality is not changing. However, the system will have new navigation options. Updated user guides and tutorials are available at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/pd/da/. The user guides and tutorials web page will also provide links to any known issues and workarounds that may arise following completion of the upgrade.

6. Separate guidance, regarding payroll processing cutoff dates, for SPOs will be provided in an upcoming E-Mail ALSPO message.

7. Direct questions regarding the content of this ALCOAST to PPC Customer Care at (866) 772-8724/(785) 339-2200 or by submitting a trouble ticket at: https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/ppc/SitePages/Contact%20Us.aspx/.

8. RDML W. G. Kelly, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, sends.

9. Internet release authorized.

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PPC Customer Satisfaction:

We continually monitor our processes in an ongoing attempt to Improve service. Anytime you receive service from us, you are invited to provide feedback on the service you received, please contact us by email to PPC-DG-M-Feedback@uscg.mil.

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This is an update from the U. S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center in Topeka, KS. We use this distribution list to keep our customers informed about the Direct Access HR system and matters pertaining to military retired pay and benefits. If you are no longer interested in receiving updates from PPC, please follow the link (at the end of this message) in the SUBSCRIBER SERVICES section to unsubscribe. Address any comments, concerns, or questions to richard.a.etheridge@uscg.mil.

Do not reply to this message. Replies to this address are not monitored. Contact PPC (ras) for assistance with Direct Access/Global Pay or other account issues.

Commanding Officer (RAS)
U. S. Coast Guard
Pay & Personnel Center
444 SE Quincy St
Topeka KS 66683-3591
Toll Free: 1-800-772-8724
Commercial: 785-339-3415
Fax: 785-339-3770
Email: ppc-dg-ras@uscg.mil
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/