Understanding CIS Divisions

There are two types of Divisions referenced on a SA type: a CIS Division and a GL Division. This is a rather powerful structure, but it can be confusing.

• General Ledger divisions typically comprise individual entities (e.g., companies) in your general ledger. You must set up a GL division for each such entity. The GL division's sole purpose in the system is to define the accounting period associated with financial transactions linked to service agreements associated with the GL division (service agreements are associated with GL divisions via their SA type). The system cares about accounting periods in order to prevent a user from booking moneys to closed periods. It also uses accounting periods when it produces the flat file that contains the consolidated journal entry that is interfaced to your general ledger (refer to The GL Interface for more information).
• A CIS division is associated with a jurisdiction. The definition of a jurisdiction is a geographic-oriented entity with unique business rules. For example, if you conduct business in California and Nevada, and each state has different collection rules, you will need a separate jurisdiction for each state. You must set up a CIS division for each jurisdiction in which you conduct business.
• CIS division is also referenced on service agreement, premise and account.
  • The CIS division on SA is actually part of the SA's SA type. Because SA type controls many business rules, all business rules that are on the SA type can be thought of as being defined for a given jurisdiction and SA type combination. For example, you could define your valid rates for electric residential service in California which differ from the valid rates for electric residential service in Nevada. Refer to Defining Service Agreement Types for more information. In addition to controlling the business rules defined on the SA's SA type, the SA's CIS division also controls the type of collection criteria used to determine if and how to collect overdue debt. Refer to Setting Up Collection Class Control for more information.
  • The CIS division on premise defines the jurisdiction in which the premise is located. This jurisdiction controls the types of service agreements that can be associated with the premise's service points (e.g., you can only link California-oriented service agreements to premises governed by the California jurisdiction). You can also set up your field activity types to execute special algorithms when a field activity is completed at a service point located in specific jurisdiction.
  • The CIS division on account when combined with the account's customer class defines the jurisdiction that governs financial business rules (e.g., the bill's due date, when and how late payment charges are calculated, etc.). Refer to Setting Up Customer Classes for more information about these rules. The CIS division on account can also play a part in the addressee of To Do entries associated with the account. To assign To Do entries to a role based on the division, simply link the To Do type to the division. Refer to To Do Entries Reference A Role for more information.