Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 1 IT Challenges in ERP Chris Meyer Duke University
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 2
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 3 Profile Durham, North Carolina 11,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students and 1450 faculty 8 Schools: A&S, Engineering, Divinity, Business, Graduate, Environment, Law, Medicine and Nursing PeopleSoft Student Administration
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 4 Chronology
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 5 Staffing
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 6 Project Organization Executive Sponsors Committee Steering Committee Coordinator Team Project Team Functional Team Technical Team Local Functional and Technical Team
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 7 Technical Architecture Oracle 8i Database Servers –Online Transactional Processing System and Decision Support PS Application Servers Web Servers Citrix Metaframe Server Novell File Server
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 8 System Architecture PeopleSoft SA 7.6, Oracle 8i Citrix Metaframe Hahtsite for ACES Web AppWorx Process Scheduler Jetforms Central Server CollegeNet Resource 25 BMC Patrol and IBM Tivoli DCE Kerberos Authentication
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 9 Challenges
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 10
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 11 Senior Administration Mandate university-wide use and acceptance Financial support –Final cost was triple original estimate –Hardware and consulting services Hold ERP vendor accountable for QA issues
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 12 Project Management Internal versus External Avoid “Scope Creep”, use phased approach, e.g., replace current functionality first Technical and functional coordination Over-budget to cover unanticipated costs, e.g., ancillary software and postponed go-lives
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 13 Staffing Recruit the best internal staff as full-time resources and backfill Staff motivation and retention –provide incentives to reach milestones Implementation versus Operational
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 14 Communications
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 15 Communications Identify key stakeholders –Steering Committee –Deans, Directors and Business Managers –Local Functional and Technical Leaders –End-users Communicate with key stakeholders early and often, as appropriate
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 16 Technical Architecture Sizing Lease versus Buy Standardize on fewer technologies Client Server Infrastructure –System monitoring
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 17 Training Technical - ERP Vendor Functional - ERP Vendor End-user –Insource versus Outsource Timeliness
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 18 Implementation Software stability Consolidate and apply upgrades, updates and fixes at least quarterly Avoid customizations! –Requests are functionally driven –Review and approval process –Modify business, not the system
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 19 Implementation Regression and performance testing Implement generic extracts and eliminate shadow systems “Web-enable” to hide system complexity Decision support/reporting strategy
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 20 Implementation Multiple database instances “Big bang” versus “Phased” approach Professional consulting –“Burst” or “Cafeteria-style” –ERP vendor services preferred –Use recruiting firms
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 21 Implementation ERP Account Representative User’s must accept system ownership Enabling new technologies, e.g., workflow, OLAP, and web Measuring and leveraging ROI Establishing success measures
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 22 Operational Functional and technical support Adhere to IT “Best Practices” –Change Management –Testing –Cross-training Outsourcing tedious, mundane tasks, e.g., upgrades? Performance tuning
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 23 Future Decision Support OLAP Portal Strategy Upgrade to PeopleSoft SA 8.x
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 24
Information Technology Challenges in ERP - Duke University 25 Questions and Discussion