Financial system implementation

A key component of the work to enhance and modernize our core enterprise information systems across the University includes a recently launched project for a new enterprise financial system that will replace Unit4. This will be a highly collaborative, institution-wide project, co-sponsored by Finance and IST. Campus support will be essential throughout the project to build the best system possible. We are committed to creating simplified processes, added and modernized functionality, data accessibility, and alignment across all our core systems.

Key elements of this work

Collaborative support

We will engage with campus leaders to define financial system requirements for our next financial system.

Simplified processes

With the support of campus, we aim to streamline processes, bringing consistency and standardization to reduce manual exception handling and improve overall efficiency, enhance reporting capabilities, and ensure that data management and user permissions are seamlessly integrated. This means that we collectively will need to think differently about how we do things.

Project timeline

  1. 2025
    1. Apr
      1. Project planning

        April through May 2025

    2. Jun
      1. Business process review

        June 2025 through August 2026

      2. Request for Proposal (RFP) development

        June through September 2025

    3. Oct
      1. RFP posting

    4. Nov
      1. Review responses and award RFP

        November 2025 through February 2026

  2. 2026
    1. Mar
      1. System implementation

        March 2026 through April 2028

Guiding principles

Adopt the best practices and standard processes

Diverging from these best practices will only be done based upon a critical assessment of the benefits of doing so.

Choose simplicity over complexity

Complex processes are more error prone and often contain unnecessary steps; flexibility and agility is only possible when things are kept simple and consistent.

Make timely decisions

Done is better than perfect; decision-making will be achieved by involving users and being receptive to their ideas, but then coming to a determination and moving forward quickly and decisively.

Transparancy

Clear and open communication within the project team and with stakeholders.

Alignment with strategic goals

Ensure the RFP content/requirements tie into broader business or IT strategies.