Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a generic term for the systems used to assist with the business processes we use every day.
Business processes that are provided by an ERP include but are not limited to, making
purchase requests for items, paying for services, tracking budgets or running reports.
Many of us use these systems every day. Examples include, Smartstream and the Web
Based Management reports. These and many other systems constitute our current ERP
environment.
We are currently undertaking a project to improve FNLCR business processes by replacing
many of the current systems in use with a new set of systems that are more tightly
integrated. The goal of this project is to streamline business processes and allow
more efficient access to the information contained in the systems at FNLCR.
Background
From 2009-2010, SAIC-Frederick, Inc. (SAIC-F) conducted both needs and cost benefits
analyses on behalf of Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research to determine
the benefit of replacing its current set of business systems with a new or upgraded
system.
It was determined that the best course of action would be system replacement for
the following reasons:
- The current system is a collection of a large number of disparate systems that do
not scale nor integrate effectively.
- Significant cost reduction for software maintenance costs over a 5-10 year period.
- The current system lacks features such as budgeting and forecasting, project tracking
and travel and expense.
- Some of the current systems are over 15 years old and are not meeting current business
needs.
Scope
The purpose of this initiative is to execute the replacement of our current disparate
business systems with a core financial system and modularized add on components
that will add needed functionality, and allow for future expansion.
The objectives of the ERP Project are as follows:
- Replacement of current core financial system, SmartStream, to include:
- Accounts Payable
- General Ledger
- Procurement
- Reporting
- Project Tracking
- Consolidation of several outside systems
- The addition of the following modules to provide added business functionality:
- Travel and Expense
- Budgeting and Forecasting
Benefits
- Efficient access to more information
- Centralized reporting for budgeting, forecasting, and performance metrics
- Reduction of paperwork associated with tasks
- Reduction of time required to complete tasks
- Easier to ensure security, compliance, and conduct audits
Status
Work Completed
- Requirements gathering, including a refresh of requirements defined in 2009-2010
- Vendor selection
- Validation of technical and functional requirements
- Analyzed business rules
- Reviewed and analyzed process flows and current business practices
- Reviewed interfaces with other systems
Milestones
- Development of "as is" picture of current processes — 9/19/2012
- Development of "to be" picture of future system — 2/8/2013
- Prototype development and testing of new system completed — 3/21/2014
- System Rollout — 7/24/2014