by Margherita Finelli

When will our new integrated data environment begin?
Many people assume that the HR and SIS systems will begin living together with the first SIS implementation in June 2008, but Move-In Day for the HR and SIS databases was actually back in April when the HR system was upgraded to PeopleSoft 8.9. Currently, the combined HR and SIS database is in a testing environment; this controlled system is allowing us to learn what it is like to work in one environment while the new SIS is being developed and before the two are considered permanently merged.

How will the central business areas (Admissions, OUR, SFA, SF) and other campus data systems function in the new SIS?
During the Fit/Gap Phase, the SIS Project looked at the functionality of PeopleSoft 8.9 and how its features would affect not only our central business areas, but all of the data systems campus-wide, including the HR and Financials system.

In order to determine system impacts, key administrators compared PeopleSoft functionality with current business processes. In some cases where delivered PeopleSoft functionality did not provide for an Ohio State required process, the decision was made to change PeopleSoft to match the current process; in others, the stakeholders agreed to adjust current processes to work within PeopleSoft. Total collaboration was required to develop design plans that would minimize impacts for these areas when the new SIS is implemented, and full details of both system and processing changes are being documented for all affected users.

What does it mean to work in an integrated environment?
It means that instead of having separate databases and systems for HR, Finance and central student administration business areas, we are now constructing a very large database where data will be stored and shared by a wide variety of business and academic areas, like one large house where a single, extended family lives.

Working in an integrated environment requires that we take a more global approach to identifying and solving problems; just as in a single house, there are shared areas whose administration affects everyone. While our current business systems can process requests faster because they operate independently, the new SIS will be web-based and may take slightly longer to process requests due to the large volumes of information it will store. However, the few extra seconds of wait time will provide us with comprehensive data, as well as more accurate and timely information across modules, making the new SIS more efficient for staff, students and faculty

In mid-June, the SIS project began the Development phase and programmers are currently working on creating the software modifications required by each business area. Development and testing will continue as the system is rolled-out in waves to follow the life cycle of an OSU student, beginning with the initial application to the University and ending with commencement.

For more information on the SIS Wave implementations, visit oaa.osu.edu/sis.