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UWMSN - Job and Employee Management System (JEMS) - Access Instructions and Common Troubleshooting

This document provides instructions for accessing JEMS in different browsers and troubleshooting for JEMS issues.

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Requirements For All Browsers

  • You must have Java installed on your computer - download the current version directly from Java.
    • Contact your local IT for assistance with installing Java.
  • You must be connected to a UW network - either on campus or connected to WiscVPN if working remotely.
    • Contact your local IT for assistance with connecting to WiscVPN.
  • Always open JEMS from the JEMS homepage to make sure you're using the latest version. Do not launch from a previous download.

    Screenshot of JEMS login button links from JEMS homepage

Browser-Specific Access Instructions

Jump to browser:

Opening JEMS in Chrome (Google)

  1. File frmservlet.jnlp will automatically download when you click the JEMS system login link. Select Keep.
    • You might see a number in parentheses in the filename if you have previously downloaded this file - example: frmservlet (1).jnlp. This is done by the computer's operating system (Windows or Mac) and is OK.

    Screenshot of Chrome browser with arrow pointing to Keep button for downloaded file frmservlet.jnlp

  2. Once downloaded, click on the file to open.

    Screenshot of Chrome browser with arrow pointing to downloaded file frmservlet.jnlp

  3. If you get a security warning from Chrome, verify that Locations shows "https://ofr01.doit.wisc.edu/", then check the "I accept the risk and want to run this application" box and click the Run button. JEMS is maintained by DoIT and is a safe application to run.

    Screenshot of brower security warning with arrows pointing to accept and run buttons

  4. This will open the Java Web Launcher application and you will see the JEMS logon screen. Once the logon window appears, closing Chrome will not close JEMS.

    Screenshot of logon screen for JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change in Java Web Launcher application
    Note: this screenshot shows the logon window for the JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change system. The logon window for JEMS Hire and Job Change may look slightly different.

Opening JEMS in Edge (Microsoft)

  1. File frmservlet.jnlp will automatically download when you click the JEMS system login link. Select Keep. You might need to click the Downloads button to the right of the address bar to see the downloaded file.
    • You might see a number in parentheses in the filename if you have previously downloaded this file - example: frmservlet (1).jnlp. This is done by the computer's operating system (Windows or Mac) and is OK.

    Screenshot of Edge browser with arrow pointing to Keep button for downloaded file frmservlet.jnlp

  2. Once downloaded, click on the Open file link.

    Screenshot of Edge browser with arrow pointing to downloaded file frmservlet.jnlp

  3. This will open the Java Web Launcher application and you will see the JEMS logon screen. Once the logon window appears, closing Edge will not close JEMS.

    Screenshot of logon screen for JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change in Java Web Launcher application
    Note: this screenshot shows the logon window for the JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change system. The logon window for JEMS Hire and Job Change may look slightly different.

Opening JEMS in Firefox (Mozilla)

⚠️ Using JEMS in Firefox may require additional configuration.

  1. Firefox will show a pop-up window asking for confirmation to open the file frmservlet.jnlp. Click OK.
    • You might see a number in parentheses in the filename if you have previously downloaded this file - example: frmservlet (1).jnlp. This is done by the computer's operating system (Windows or Mac) and is OK.

    Screenshot of Firefox browser with arrow pointing to Keep button for downloaded file frmservlet.jnlp

  2. If you get a security warning, verify that Locations shows "https://ofr01.doit.wisc.edu/", then check the "I accept the risk and want to run this application" box and click the Run button. JEMS is maintained by DoIT and is a safe application to run.

    Screenshot of brower security warning with arrows pointing to accept and run buttons

  3. This will open the Java Web Launcher application and you will see the JEMS logon screen. Once the logon window appears, closing Chrome will not close JEMS.

    Screenshot of logon screen for JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change in Java Web Launcher application
    Note: this screenshot shows the logon window for the JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change system. The logon window for JEMS Hire and Job Change may look slightly different.

Additional configuration for Firefox

Recent versions of Firefox have removed default support for Java Web Start (JNLP) files like JEMS. Firefox might only present an option to save the JEMS file and then the file can't be opened from File Explorer. If you experience this, you might need to configure Firefox to open JNLP files in the Java Web Start Launcher. If you have questions about this process, please contact your local IT support team.

Opening JEMS in Safari (Apple)

  1. If you are prompted to allow the JEMS download, click Allow.

    Screenshot of Safari showing confirmation window to download JEMS file

  2. File frmservlet.jnlp will download. Double-click on the downloaded file.
    • You might see a number in parentheses after the filename if you have previously downloaded this file - example: frmservlet (1).jnlp. This is done by the computer's operating system (Windows or macOS) and is OK.

    Screenshot of Safari browser with arrow pointing at downloaded frmservlet.jnlp file

  3. This will open the Java Web Launcher application and you will see the JEMS logon screen. Once the logon window appears, closing Safari will not close JEMS.

    Screenshot of JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change running in Java Web Launcher in macOS
    Note: this screenshot shows the logon window for the JEMS PVL and Rate/Title Change system. The logon window for JEMS Hire and Job Change may look slightly different.

Additional configuration for Mac computers

The Mac operating system macOS has strict controls for which applications will run. As a result, you might need to do additional configuration to allow JEMS to run.

  1. If you receive an error saying JEMS cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer, you will need to give permission for macOS to open it.

    Screenshot of macOS error message preventing JEMS from opening due to being from an unidentified developer

  2. Open System Settings and navigate to the Privacy & Security section. Scroll to the Security section and select the Open Anyway button to open frmservlet.jnlp.

    Screenshot of macOS System Settings with arrows pointing to the Privacy & Security section and to the Open Anyway button

  3. Select Open to confirm opening JEMS.

    Screenshot of confirmation message from macOS to open JEMS

Common JEMS Troubleshooting

JEMS file opens in application other than Java

Your computer might not automatically know how to open the Java Web Start (.jnlp) file type that's used for JEMS. When this happens, your computer may attempt to open the frmservlet.jnlp file you downloaded from the JEMS page in an application that doesn't know how to handle that file. Follow the steps below to ensure the JEMS file and other Java Web Start files are set to open in the correct application.

Windows (Microsoft)

  1. Find the frmservlet.jnlp file that you downloaded from the JEMS page.
  2. Right-click the file to bring up the Windows context menu.
  3. In the context menu, select Properties.

    Windows context menu for JEMS file with Properties option highlighted in red rectangle
  4. In the General tab of the Properties window that opens, the Opens with field shows the application in which Windows will open the file. In our example, the file is set to open with Adobe Acrobat, but you may see a different application on your computer.

    Properties window for JEMS file showing that file is set to open with Adobe Acrobat application
  5. If the Opens with application is not set to a Java application, select the Change... button.
  6. Select Java(TM) Web Launcher or similar Java application from the list of apps. You may need to click the More apps button. If you can't find a Java application, refer to the Java Runtime not available troubleshooting.

    List of application options to open .jnlp files with Java(TM) Web Launcher application highlighted with red rectangle
  7. Click OK.
  8. Windows should now remember to open all Java Web Start (.jnlp) files appropriately in Java going forward.

macOS (Apple)

  1. Find the frmservlet.jnlp file that you downloaded from the JEMS page.
  2. Right-click the file to bring up the macOS context menu.
  3. In the context menu, select Get Info.

    macOS context menu for JEMS file with Get Info option highlighted with red rectangle

  4. In the Info window that opens, the Opens with section shows the application in which macOS will open the file. In our example, the file is set to open with Notes, but you may see a different application on your computer.

    Info window for JEMS file showing that the file is currently set to open in the Notes application

  5. If the Opens with application is not set to a Java application, select the field to open a list of other application options.
  6. Select JavaLauncher or similar Java application from the list of apps. If you can't find a Java application, refer to the Java Runtime not available troubleshooting.

    List of application options to open .jnlp files with JavaLauncher application highlighted with red rectangle

  7. After selecting the appropriate Java application, select the Change All... button so that all Java Web Start (.jnlp) files will open in Java on your computer.

    macOS Info window for JEMS file with Open with application set to JavaLauncher and Change All button highlighted with red rectangle
  8. You may now close the Info window.
  9. macOS should now remember to open all Java Web Start (.jnlp) files appropriately in Java going forward.

Java Runtime not available

If you receive an error saying JEMS can't be opened due to the computer not being able to locate a Java Runtime, download and install the latest version of Java from Java's website. You might need to contact your local IT support team to help you with this.

Application Blocked by Java Security

If you receive an error saying JEMS can't be opened due to being blocked by Java security, refer to Java - Changing Java Security Settings to Allow UW-Madison Applications. The application URL for JEMS is:

https://ofr01.doit.wisc.edu/

JEMS doesn't load or "can't connect to server" error

If you attempt to log in to a JEMS application and the page doesn't load or you get a "can't connect to server" error:

  1. Make sure you are connected to a UW campus network or WiscVPN.
  2. Check the DoIT Outages page to see if there is a widespread issue with JEMS.
  3. Email the OHR JEMS Access team.

Forgot JEMS logon or password

If you have forgotten your JEMS logon or password, email the OHR JEMS Access team who can send you a temporary password and instructions to reset your password.

Other JEMS issues

For any other JEMS issues, email the OHR JEMS Access team. Be sure to include specific details and screenshots about the issue you are experiencing to help us find a solution.



Keywords:Jems, pvl, position vacancy listing, pd, JEMS CHRIS, JEMS CHRIS HR, hiring, JEMS Job Change, Rate and Title Adjustments, JEMS HIRE   Doc ID:118781
Owner:Colin S.Group:HR Communities of Practice
Created:2022-06-01 11:32 CDTUpdated:2023-04-26 13:06 CDT
Sites:HR Communities of Practice
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Information about the UW-Madison Jobs and Employee Management System (JEMS)