The project is nearing the end of vendor evaluations. This November update provides a project overview since vendor demonstrations.

Vendor Demonstrations - PeopleSoft

BGSU received and evaluated a full response from PeopleSoft. During the week of October 27 - 31, five days were allocated to review the PeopleSoft product in detail. Overall, more than 150 university users participated in the week's events, averaging approximately 50 participants each day. Those at the Firelands campus participated each day via the distance learning network. The schedule and participation for the week was as follows:

• Monday, October 27 - Information Technology (76 participants)
• Tuesday, October 28 - Enrollment Management and Registrar (72 participants)
• Wednesday, October 29 - Student Financials and Financial Aid (56 participants)
• Thursday, October 30 - Human Resources (50 participants)
• Friday, October 31 - Finance (44 participants)

After information was presented in the these sessions, break out sessions were scheduled to answer participant questions in further detail. Each day, participant questions were submitted on index cards. These questions were answered by People Soft and are available for review.Please select below the date of the "index card" questions you would like to review.

• Monday, October 27
• Tuesday, October 28
• Wednesday, October 29
• Thursday, October 30
• Friday, October 31

In addition to demonstrating the core ERP software, BGSU hosted demonstrations of third-party housing and document imaging products as follows:

• Housing

Wednesday, October 29 - RMS
Wednesday, November 12 - Adirondack

• Document Imaging

Tuesday, November 4 - ImageNow
Wednesday, November 19 - Onbase

Evaluations Summarized

Since demonstrations, the project team has accumulated evaluation results. The evaluations provided information regarding strengths and weaknesses of the products. In addition, each participant was asked to score the strength of each product area on a scale of 0 (very weak) to 10 (very strong). The average scores ranged from 6.8 to 8.5 for the student, human resources and finance modules.

A summary analysis of the  PeopleSoft response to our requirements has been prepared and is available for review. The report indicates that PeopleSoft meets slightly more than 91% of the requirements through its base system or user / third party tools available.

BearingPoint is in the process of preparing a final report and analyzing the gaps identified in demonstrations. The final steps of reference checks and validation of techincal information are in process. It is anticipated that the final segments of this phase of the project will be completed during December 2003.

Questions, comments, or requests for further information regarding the project may be directed to Jerry Ameling at 372-7721, jamelin@bgnet.bgsu.edu.