This message was originally published in the Daily Bulletin on January 19, 2026.
Finance and IST are excited to announce the launch of a major campus-wide initiative to replace our current financial system, Unit4, with a modern, integrated platform that better supports Waterloo’s evolving needs.
As part of our Enterprise Systems Transformation, the financial ERP system project is part of a broader 10-year roadmap to enhance and modernize our core enterprise systems. A new financial ERP system will be a foundational step toward greater efficiency, improved data accessibility, and streamlined processes across the University.
Through a competitive RFP process, the University will select both a new platform and an implementation partner to guide us through this transformation.
To ensure the success of this initiative, the project team will be guided by the following principles:
- Collaborate across campus to build a system that reflects diverse needs
- Modernize and simplify financial processes to meet future business needs
- Leverage AI, automation and standardization to reduce manual work and exceptions
- Consolidate systems to improve data consistency and reporting capabilities
- Make timely, informed decisions to keep the project on track
What to expect
This project will be a collaborative, institution-wide effort within the Enterprise Systems Transformation. Over the next year, our focus will be on planning, business process review, and completing Request for Proposal activities. This phase is planned to conclude in March 2026, paving the way for design sessions and implementation of a new system in the coming years.
To support this planning phase, a campus-wide survey has been launched to gather input on system requirements from across the University. Your feedback will help shape the future of financial operations at Waterloo.
Key elements of the project include:
- Engagement with campus leaders to define system requirements
- Streamlined workflows that reduce complexity and improve efficiency
- Enhanced data and reporting through system consolidation and a unified data model
- Improved user experience with modern functionality and intuitive design
The target go-live date for the new financial system is May 1, 2028.
Staying connected
We will be sharing updates regularly and inviting input from across campus. A dedicated Financial System Implementation project website is available to provide updates, resources, and opportunities for engagement.
We look forward to working together as we shape a modern, integrated financial system that supports the University of Waterloo’s academic missions and efficient administration for years to come.