During the summer and fall of 2024, Ohio University assessed its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms and closely related applications that support three core university capabilities: human resources, finance, and student administration. This assessment focused on the effectiveness of business processes (hiring, onboarding, paying invoices, enrolling for classes, etc.) and their implementation in a system (Oracle E-Business Suite, Workforce, Concur, BobcatBuy, PeopleSoft, Faculty and Advising Center, OCEAN, etc.).

The assessment was the first phase of a multi-phase approach to evaluating, selecting, and eventually implementing a new digital ecosystem to support core university functions and modernize how Ohio University works to support the student, employee, and community experience.

Goals

The purpose of this assessment was to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy for our ERP ecosystem. During the assessment, we:

• Evaluated how modern technology and business processes can improve our operations and experiences  
• Created a roadmap for replacing our ERP systems
• Analyzed the resources and costs required to replace our ERP systems

Assessment activities

More than 300 faculty and staff participated in the assessment, which included the following activities:

• Interviews with leadership to understand OHIO’s strategies and needs
• Interviews with technical staff to assess current technological capabilities
• Business process analysis to identify areas for increased efficiency and improvement
• Functional diagnostic questionnaire to understand how the systems are currently used
• Organizational readiness assessment to evaluate potential risks and OHIO’s readiness for change

Results

Based on the assessment findings, Ohio University has developed a roadmap for a phased implementation of new ERP technology to enhance the experience for students, employees, and the broader community. This initiative will focus on streamlining business processes in human resources, finance, and student administration, while replacing outdated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and related applications that support these critical functions. 

Why modernization matters

As OHIO continues to modernize academic programs, research, and the student experience, current administrative systems, some of which were built more than two decades ago, must also be modernized. These systems encompass more than 100 applications and touch almost every aspect of OHIO’s operations—from processing payroll and awarding scholarships to enrolling students and managing research funds. Years of customizations and rapidly evolving technology will make these systems increasingly inefficient and costly to operate over time.  

This initiative is about more than upgrading technology—it’s about modernizing the way we work. Expected benefits include:

• Adaptability to Change: Flexibility to respond quickly to evolving needs and take advantage of new opportunities.
• Improved User Experience: Modern, intuitive tools that simplify tasks, integrate workflows, and free up time for more meaningful work.
• Better Decision-Making: Access to timely, accurate data insights and information to support both long-term planning and day-to-day operations.
• Increased Effectiveness: Streamlined processes through simplification, standardization, and automation.
• Enhanced Security and Resilience: Strengthened compliance measures, improved data security, and robust support for business continuity. 

Roadmap and timeline

Key milestones for the human resources and finance systems components include the following:

• January 2025: Begin readiness projects, including governance, team structure, and vendor selection.
• January 2026: Launch the implementation of new human resources and finance systems.
• January 2028: Go live with the new human resources and finance ERP platform.

Subsequent phases, including the student administration system, will be planned based on ongoing assessments and evolving technology. 

For more information, review the ERP Assessment Executive Summary which includes a project overview, case for change, and detailed roadmaps. Requires an OHIO ID to view.

Our Partners

OHIO has partnered with the Huron Consulting Group, a firm with higher education ERP system expertise, to complete the ERP Assessment. Huron’s OHIO team is led by the following individuals:

• Matt Jones – Managing Director, mjones@hcg.com  
• Jonathan Krasnov – Functional Advisory, jkrasnov@hcg.com  
• Ty Duval – Technical Advisory, tduval@hcg.com
• Melanie Smith – Project Director, mesmith@hcg.com
• Rory Pavach – Manager, rpavach@hcg.com
• Ashley Pierce – Project Consultant, apierce@hcg.com