UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 8, Page 3
October 19, 1995
Suggestions sought; FAMIS team to revamp campus business procedures

     A 13-member team of University employees is examining ways to
improve the effectiveness of how campus financial information is
processed, used and managed.
     Their goal is to design and implement a new Financial Accounting
and Management Information System (FAMIS) that will be integrated and
user friendly, while satisfying the needs of all the University's
internal and external constituencies.
     In addition to putting a new financial computer system in place,
the FAMIS Project team will be looking at ways to re-engineer the way
the University currently does business.
     According to Tory Windley, director of purchasing, who is the
project team's leader, "The current system is 20 years old and has
been in a constant state of evolution, so there is a definite need for
improvement and updating. We are interested in looking at all of our
options. Primarily, we want to see how we can make improvements while
also keeping in place current procedures that we know are working.
     "We also believe it is important to communicate the progress of
this project with those members of the campus community who will be
affected."
     The new financial system will be capable of providing accurate
and timely information to all levels of users, from business managers
and deans to senior administrators. Information from software vendors
is being gathered and reviewed by members of the project team and
staff from Information Technologies.
     Coopers & Lybrand's Higher Education Consulting Group is
assisting in the selection and implementation of the new systems. To
determine the needs and desires of campus users, Coopers & Lybrand
consultants already have begun conducting interviews in all colleges
and administrative areas.
     The re-engineering process will begin during the first quarter of
1996 and continue after July 1997, when the new system is to be
implemented.
     Part of this process involves a review of the current operating
procedures to investigate ways to make major improvements in customer
service, quality and timeliness. The review will focus on general
transaction flow throughout the University, as opposed to individual
unit or departmental procedures.
     Team members-who meet regularly to review, discuss and implement
the changes associated with the new system-are Denise Berilla,
manager, chemical engineering; Hugh Campbell, administrator, Office of
the Vice Provost for Research; Amy Connell, manager, facilities,
planning and construction; Carl Jacobson, director, Management
Information Services; Karl Hassler, auditor, internal audit; Jeff
Quirico, assistant provost, provost's office; Al Roberson, associate
treasurer, treasurer's office; Lynda Ruggerio, coordinator,
information technologies; Carol Rylee, director, budget office;
Rebecca Sobo, a senior in business and economics; Rich Tarpley,
executive director, marine studies; and Herb Turner, analyst,
institutional research and planning.
     The Project Steering Committee, which oversees the working team's
progress and recommendations, includes Steve Grimble, University
treasurer; Susan Foster, vice president, information technologies;
David Hollowell, senior vice president for administration; Earl Lloyd,
chairperson, computer and information sciences; Kent St. Pierre,
Arthur Andersen Alumni Professor of Accounting and chairperson,
accounting, business and economics; Dan Rich, dean, urban affairs and
public policy; Mary Richards, dean, arts and science; and Mel
Schiavelli, University provost.
     Campus employees are encouraged to share suggestions and
recommendations by sending e-mail to FAMIS@mvs.udel.edu.
     UpDate will report periodically on the group's plans and
progress.
                                                         -Ed Okonowicz