Web & Communication Services

EASY Re-engineering Project:  Transforming the way we do business

What is EASY Re-engineering?
EASY re-engineering is an initiative to improve the management of business processes by replacing the current EASY forms and approval paths with Web-based forms and streamlined role management.  This multi-year effort will move Penn State from the current EASY Forms (which utilize a user-based routing mechanism and a mainframe 3270 screen for collecting business information for processing) to Web-Based Workflow Business Processes (role-based routing mechanism and web-based interface for collecting business information for processing).

EASY re-engineering will transform the way we do business by matching new technologies with re-engineered business processes.  The ultimate goal is increased efficiency and effectiveness in the processing of financial and human resource information.

The EASY Re-engineering project was officially “kicked off” May 15th with a meeting of all stakeholders and participants in the EASY Re-engineering project.  Sixty-five invitations were sent to University staff that would “touch” the project during it’s multi-year life cycle.   The presentation can be viewed here.

 




For example:

• The current EASY forms of APCA (Add Purchasing Card Authorization) and UPCA (Update Purchasing Card Authorization) would become the “Purchasing Card Authorization Process”.
• The interface used to collect the information for processing would be web based as opposed to the current mainframe 3270 screen.
• Instead of forms being routed from user to user (ie. rdd4, abc123, etc), the forms would be routed to roles (ie. the Budget Officer to the Financial Officer to the Budget Executive).

Where does it fit?
EASY Re-engineering, like the workflow project, is a project within the Systems Development Modernization Program.   A pre-requisite to EASY Re-engineering is the establishment of a workflow base system to include an application framework for the deployment of the newly re-engineered workflow processes.



Who’s involved?
EASY Re-engineering is a collaborative effort within the Penn State community.  EASY Re-engineering will require input, feedback and support from staff in the areas of IT, administration, usability, web design, communications, subject matter experts, systems analysis and design, infrastructure, and application development.

Although the ITS/AIS unit has designated a Project Team with full time commitments, partnering offices from around the university are encouraged to participate in the EASY Re-engineering project.

What are the Project Highlights?

Scope

Transform 70+ EASY Forms to:

• Seven OHR Business Processes
• Thirteen Central/Financial Business Process

• Apply new technologies (i.e. Penn State Workflow system ) to EASY re-engineering
• Streamline and improve existing EASY Forms

Project Management Plan

• Project Team Established (Full Time commitment):
  
  • AIS Open Standards Development Group
  • Natural Programming resources

• Supporting Resources include:

• Systems Analysis and Design
• Training
• User Consulting
• Infrastructure
• Business Continuity/Service Recovery
• AIS Support Center
• Marketing and Communications
• Process Design Teams

• Process Steward
• Business Process Analysts
• Systems Analysts
• Development Manager
• User Feedback Facilitator
• Subject Matter Experts

• Developer Environment:

• Deploy to established Application Framework

• AIS will develop in Java
• Partnering offices may develop in programming language of choice

• Workflow Engine (Software AG Crossvision)
• Develop against established SOA standards

Where do I send questions?
We are presently creating a web presence off the AIS home page for the EASY Re-engineering project.  As part of that initiative, we’ll establish a communication protocol for questions.  In the interim, you may direct questions to the Project Manager, RichardDumm@psu.edu .

AIS Education & Training Update

Administrative Computing Courses
Courses in Administrative Computing at Penn State are joint offerings of Administrative Information Services (AIS) and ITS Training Services.

Course	Date
Introduction to Electronic Forms Processing: IBIS	June 7-8
Unlocking the Data: EIS and the Data Warehouse	June 12
IBIS Financial on the Mainframe: CCOM	June 13-14
Data Warehouse 1	June 19-20

To register for Administrative Computing courses or to obtain additional information, go to https://register4its.psu.edu/Public/MainMenu.asp or call (814) 863-9522.

Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) Courses
The Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) provides faculty and staff with a variety of opportunities for enhancing job performance, career growth, and personal goals.

For more information on courses offered through the Human Resource Development Center (HRDC), go to http://www.ohr.psu.edu/hrdc/catalog/HRDC_Catalog.cfm or call (814) 865-8216.

ITS Training Services Courses
ITS Training Services provides learning opportunities in technology to students, faculty, and staff to facilitate learning, teaching, and professional development activities.

For more information on courses offered through ITS Training Services, go to http://its.psu.edu/training/ or call (814) 863-9522.

Web-Based Training (WBT)
WBT is free of charge to help everyone at Penn State learn and use the courses and other Web-based content available for personal, professional, and academic development. Over 1,600 courses are available to anyone with a Penn State Access Account and an interest in learning or enhancing information technology and business and professional development skills. Web-based training can be found at https://wbt.psu.edu/FrameIndex.asp.

Outreach Courses
Penn State Outreach offers a variety of programs in:

·        Distance and online education

·        World Campus

·        Conferences and Institutes

·        Youth Programs

·        Customized Training

·        Cooperative Extension

·        Continuing Education

·        Public Broadcasting

·        Management Development

·        Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center

·        Leadership and Volunteer Development

·        Nutrition, Diet and Health

For more information on courses offered through Penn State Outreach, go to http://www.outreach.psu.edu/ or call (814) 863-0201.

Health Matters Courses
Health Matters offers a variety of programs to enhance the health and well-being of University faculty and staff.  Program selections focus on the six dimensions of wellness:

·        Spiritual
·        Intellectual
·        Physical
·        Emotional
·        Social
·        Occupational

For more information on courses offered through Health Matters, go to http://www.ohr.psu.edu/HealthMatters/home.cfm or call (814) 865-3085.

Strength and Fitness
Fitness classes are part of the Penn State Strength and Fitness program which is administered by PSU Intercollegiate Athletics. The department employs full-time staff, students, and interns who coordinate the time and space for a variety of weekly classes.  Classes include:

• Butts and Gutts
• Calorie Killer
• Stability Ball Challenge
• Body Blast
• Full Body Workout
• Funk!
• Indoor Cycling
• Kick Boxing Aerobics
• Mega Yoga
• Pilates/Yoga Fusion
• Step
• Washboard Abs

For more information on courses offered through Strength and Fitness, go to http://www.psu.edu/dept/fitness/class_descriptions.html or call (814) 863-1181.

Affirmative Action Courses
Numerous educational and professional development services are available through the Affirmative Action Office:

• Focuses on understanding the complexities of diversity among people with respect to ethnicity, age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, and other human characteristics
• Offers a range of diversity programming designed to meet the needs of Penn State work units
• Provides assistance to managers, supervisors, and faculty on managing diversity issues
• Provides facilitative and consultative services to diversity teams

For more information on courses offered through the Affirmative Action Office, go to http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/dsec.htm or call (814) 863-0471.

University Libraries Courses
Instructional Programs coordinates and facilitates the variety of instructional activities of Penn State University Libraries including credit courses, seminars for the University Community, information-seeking skills to students in credit courses, and online information tutorials.

For more information on courses offered through the University Libraries, go to http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/ or call (814) 865-9257.