New ESS system tips & tricks?

2014-04-18T11:09:10-04:00

So, we are in the brave new world of ESS for OERs.  <div>I seem to have multiple issues with the system when coming from a non-.mil computer. (IE 10 on one, IE 11 on the other, both CAC enabled with ActiveClient and my certs installed)</div><div><br></div><div>I like the idea, and want it to work. It is - in theory - a big improvement over the AKO wizard or mailing the XDFLs all over. </div><div><br></div><div>Issues: </div><div>1. Wherever there is a spot to click for a digital signature, I get a grey box with an hourglass - can't click to sign.</div><div>2. Often, when I click a button to perform an action, I get an "application error -return to home" (or words to that effect) error. I don't know the state of the attempted action. Example. From my support form, I clicked the "create OER" button, got the error message, returned to home. An OER was created. But I can't see it until Rater and SR Rater sign. So I have no idea if the data got there correctly or not.</div><div>3. I'm sure there are others..</div><div><br></div><div>Right now, my OER is the only one I'm dealing with, but I am going to have several that I rate/SR rate in the next month and really don't want it to be a cluster. </div><div><br></div><div>What are other people's experiences? Especially people who don't sit at a .mil computer all day? </div>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2014 9:35 PM

2014-04-18T21:35:47-04:00

Sir not to sound like a broken record, but I believe IE 9 was listed as a requirement for the new OER. I have no idea if it will work, but have you tried compatibility view?

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Apr 18 at 2014 11:38 PM

2014-04-18T23:38:03-04:00

OK! Solved! <div><br></div><div>For the good of those who have yet to experience it....<div>In order to sign documents in the new ESS system, you NEED to have the proper version of ActivClient installed for your computer.</div><div><br></div><div>Modern versions of Microsoft operating systems don't actually require it to read CAC cards, log into OWA/AKO, etc, or to sign XDFL documents. However it needs to be loaded because of whatever IE add-in/extension it comes with that the ESS site requires for in-browser signing. </div></div><div><br></div><div>Feel a bit silly that it was this simple...Hopefully someone else can learn from my pain.</div>

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 9:13 PM

2014-06-11T21:13:11-04:00

I have updated version of ActiveClient, I have tried everything I can find online about how to get EES to work for me, and I have yet to figure out how to get the digital signature piece to work. I don't have issues digitally signing anything else or accessing any other DOD site with my CAC Card. It's very frustrating.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2014 10:05 AM

2014-07-22T10:05:57-04:00

If you enjoy this new system wait until you have to deal with the new FLIPL system. It's a hoot. EES, just like any other system the Army puts out initially, is heavily flawed. Not a lot of betta testing going on prior to full release...at least not to the level you'd see in every other major system that is tested for computers. Those of us with large profile pools have been slogging it out with this system since well before its birth. We've created work-arounds for the horrible non-spell checked boxes that you have to fill in that can't be any longer than 4 or 5 lines, etc. We've created word and adobe sheets that have the correct font and sizing to capture it and spell check it to allow for a copy and paste, etc. It's not a good system yet, but when it gets the kinks worked out, it will be.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 9:52 PM

2016-09-12T21:52:23-04:00

I am trying to figure out if there is a way to transfer all of the bullet points from the support form to the actual NCOER. Does anyone have any thoughts?