The Financial Systems Modernization project is an initiative to replace the legacy technologies behind FAMIS and to modernize the financial systems and processes used by members of the A&M System. Phase 2 of the project, replatforming FAMIS, will allow us to use a like-for-like process that minimizes disruption to end users. Phase 2 goes live in November 2022. It is important to note that the only significant change to FAMIS that end users will see at go-live is the method they use to log in to the system; all other activities will be essentially the same. The screens they use today will not change, and the ancillary systems they use today will not change. For example, AggieBuy, Concur, Workday, Laserfiche, Maestro, Canopy and IPayments will not change for the end user. Those systems have integrations with FAMIS that have been successfully tested throughout the project.
Although we are planning for minimal disruption, several activities are on the schedule to ensure end users understand the impacts that will affect their daily work:
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – January through March 2022
- UAT is designed to allow end users to test the system and verify that it functions as expected.
- Over 100 end users across TAMUS will be able to log in to the test system, perform daily tasks and log any differences they encounter.
- UAT participants will evaluate our log in instructions and provide feedback.
- UAT participants will be a resource at their campus or agency during the week of go-live to assist others that may need help with the initial log in process.
- TrainTraq course for all FAMIS users – April 2022
- We are planning a TrainTraq course required for all FAMIS users that will explain the log in process.
- The TrainTraq course will include an explanation of the other minor differences users will see. For example, today in FAMIS on certain screens, alpha characters sort before numeric characters. In the replatformed FAMIS, numeric characters will sort first. Although this is a minor difference, it will be important for users to know.
- We are planning webinars in April and May 2022 to share details about the log in process and demonstrate the new system to end users.
- If possible, project team members will travel to some TAMUS sites to meet with FAMIS users prior to go-live to share details with them and bring feedback back to the team.
- The Financial Systems Modernization project website continues to provide updated information.
Monthly email correspondence will be sent to all FAMIS users beginning in February 2022 to keep them updated on progress and inform them of upcoming activities.