June 28, 2010
Dear Colleagues,
This week, the university will embark on an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project, a long overdue campus-wide initiative that will replace AIMS, our 30-year-old administrative software, with SunGard Banner, a suite of newer, more advanced programs. Some of the benefits we can expect from this new system include:
- A portal that allows individual students, faculty and staff to see information that is specific to their identities and interests
- An online purchasing and procurement process, including online approvals
- A degree planning tool that allows students and advisors to plan and manage a student's entire program of study
- Online applications that tie directly into our admission databases
- The ability to offer students online room selection
The implementation effort will be overseen by an executive committee, which I have asked Alan Candiotti, assistant vice president, university technology, to chair. It will include members of both his staff and Cabinet.
The ERP Executive Committee’s first task will be to identify project leaders for each of the major administrative areas. These individuals will serve on the front line throughout the process as members of a cross-functional “Implementation Lead Team.” I ask that vice presidents, deans and directors support this effort by making sure their departments are represented as needed and participate fully. The project includes a budget for supplemental staffing in areas that are severely impacted by the increased workload.
I have also asked the executive committee to ensure that the conversion process includes a thorough review and updating of our business processes. We would be missing a major and multifaceted opportunity if we did not explore how they might be streamlined or improved upon to better serve students, staff and faculty.
While we have a lot of work ahead of us, I am confident in our community's ability to meet the challenge and am excited about the enormous benefits it will yield for Drew. The leadership of the project is committed to its successful completion and will do its best to keep everyone informed about progress. Alan will be writing with more detailed information in the coming weeks.
Best,
Bob