An update from President Charles E. Young
Many changes are occurring on campus, not the least of which is what we now refer to as UF Bridges. This multi-year project will improve University business processes by implementing an accounting system, a human resource system and, eventually, a new student system. To support these major changes in business process and enterprise resource planning, our data and information technology infrastructure must change, too. The UF Bridges project is both a University priority and one that is critical to our ability to serve in the future. It is essential that UF, like its sister institutions in the State, prepare to assume its new responsibilities as directed by the 2002 Legislature. The new PeopleSoft integrated software systems, along with changes in computing platforms, process and people skills, will require your full commitment and support. The current project timeline is as follows:
Portal |
March 31, 2003 |
Cognos Reporting Tools |
August 1, 2003 |
Campus Community |
May 1, 2004 |
Finance |
July 1, 2004 |
Human Resources and Payroll |
July 1, 2004 |
Enhanced Reporting Tools (Cognos and PS EPM) |
July 1, 2004 |
Student Records, Financials, Financial Aid |
Summer A, 2006 |
Student Admissions |
January 1, 2006 |
The "myUFL" portal was successfully launched on March 31st and continues to be improved with upgrades and more content. The portal serves as the gateway to these new systems as well as a central location for campus information and other resources. Since April 15, nearly 100 UF employees have attended myUFL training to learn how to publish their information in the myUFL portal.
In August, the Cognos Reporting tools will provide a new and simple means to create downloadable, Web-based reports with data from current data sources. On July 1, 2004, this tool, along with other PeopleSoft reporting and analytical tools (EPM) will be integrated with the PeopleSoft financial, HR, and payroll systems. Campus Community is a PeopleSoft system that is similar to (and builds on) our current UF Directory and UFID number. This module will allow us to integrate all other PeopleSoft systems.
UF Bridges has more than 100 individuals working on these various modules, most of which are long-term employees. In addition, about 400 UF faculty and staff actively serve on 15 Advisory User Councils (AUCs). Council members meet weekly or bi-weekly and contribute in many significant ways, from helping to develop training materials to designing prototypes. Many are currently involved in fit/gap testing-determining how current UF business practices and processes mesh with the PeopleSoft systems.
If you would like to follow the process of the UF Bridges project, I encourage you to subscribe to the UF Bridges publication on the myUFL portal (http://my.ufl.edu). After logging on to myUFL, follow the instructions included in the New User Help section call "Adding Pagelets." The UF Bridges Web site (http://www.bridges.ufl.edu) also has a great deal of information, including weekly status reports for each of the teams (ERP Groups tab) and AUC meeting minutes. It is imperative that each of you contributes in all ways possible to help make this major change process a success. The universities that have succeeded with ERP implementation have maintained high-level administrative support and a strong level of commitment from professionals in each of the functional areas. We have that now at UF and we must keep it throughout this 3-year change process.
Both the UF Bridges team and I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Young
President