NUIT to Launch New CONDUITS Online Billing System

Northwestern University Information Technology (NUIT) is launching a new online billing retrieval service, CONDUITS Online (Customer Oriented Network Delivering University Information Technology Services), for customers to view and download billing reports for NUIT services.

Beginning in October, designated University departmental contacts and account contacts will begin to automatically receive their monthly billing reports via e-mail in .pdf format from the CONDUITS Online system. They will also be able to log in to CONDUITS Online to access, generate, and schedule billing reports and summaries for NUIT services at any time.

CONDUITS Online is fully integrated with Northwestern University's new Converged Communications initiative. All Non-Core Service charges will appear on CONDUITS Online monthly billing reports.

This is the first phase of implementing NUIT's CONDUITS Online system, with future plans to incorporate ordering, processing, tracking, and billing for NUIT customers.

CONDUITS Online will automatically process billing reports during the first week of every month and deliver them to designated contacts via e-mail, offering a more efficient delivery system than the current procedure of distributing printed billing statements through campus mail. Reports will also be archived in the CONDUITS system and accessible for easy reference and retrieval at any time.

Departmental and account contacts can access the CONDUITS Online secure server 24 hours a day, seven days a week by using their NetID and password, finding the desired item/s, and clicking on easy-to-use drop-down menus.

There are two main types of reports that contacts can customize, generate and run:

• Custom reports appear similar to printed reports departmental staff are currently used to receiving.
• Standard reports contain clickable links that allow users to move easily from summary information to more detailed data.

University departmental contacts previously designated by administrative heads of departments, and account contacts authorized to view charges made against the accounts assigned to them, will be able to access CONDUITS.

Training Opportunities

NUIT is offering several opportunities for departmental/account contacts to see the new system before it is implemented. For those who wish to attend, lecture-style training sessions will be held on both NU campuses at the end of September and the beginning of October. Registration is not required. Please visit the CONDUITS Online site for a schedule of training sessions.

• NUIT e-newsletter - "Technology for You," Fall 2005 ( PDF 25K)
• September 2005 Billing Reports are being generated for Oct 3 delivery ( PDF 27K)
• NUIT CONDUITS Online: Important Billing Information ( PDF 13K)
• eCommunicator--Spring 2005 ( PDF 1017K)

For further information, contact NUIT Consulting Services at 847-467-5560 or consulting-services@northwestern.edu.