Enhancing Efficiencies Search for finance, HR system replacement underway

When the University first implemented its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, Banner, George H.W. Bush was president, My Cousin Vinny was in theaters, and the world’s first web browser was 2 years old. More than three decades after its 1992 introduction, a UR project team is looking for a replacement for the finance and human resources system, a daily tool for many employees.

Used to manage core day-to-day functions such as HR recruiting, accounting, payroll, and procurement, an ERP system is where the work gets done. And while Banner has served UR well for many years, it now requires significant time and effort to maintain and can’t meet the University’s need for automated workflows, dashboards, and reporting.

“The excess manual data entry required by Banner is frustrating for staff and faculty,” said Mark Detterick, senior associate vice president for business affairs strategy and project lead. “When employees can minimize transactional work, they’re freed up to do more of the analytical work needed to better serve the University’s mission.”

New software will also position UR to better attract, develop, and retain top talent and avoid a situation where an emergency system replacement is needed in the future.

A project team began looking at an ERP change in December 2016 but decided a year later to instead pursue a process improvement program — UR Better — to evaluate and streamline processes. In spring 2022, conversations returned to ERP with plans to select a vendor this spring and begin the approximately 18-month implementation this summer. UR is not reviewing the Banner student module at this time.

“We are very excited to undertake this important effort that will ultimately provide a significant enhancement to the University’s administrative and financial transactions,” said David Hale, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “This will require real change to many of our current processes, which will not always be easy but will serve our University community well for generations to come.”

For more information about the project, visit businessaffairs.richmond. edu/initiatives

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