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A Tool Suited to the Times

New Oracle-based general ledger system goes live in July

At the beginning of the next fiscal year, Dartmouth will begin using a suite of new financial systems and tools to track and analyze its complex financial data more effectively. The systems project, known as OASIS (Optimal Accounting Strategy and Information Systems), will replace the familiar FAS general ledger with a new Oracle general ledger, and will introduce new financial reporting tools to enhance how financial data are managed across the College. The OASIS project team has been working with a range of administrators and others who have financial responsibilities to ensure a smooth rollout on July 1, 2007, the targeted "go live" date.

Says Adam Keller, executive vice president for finance and administration, "FAS has been a dependable system, but it was implemented 23 years ago—a year before most members of the class of 2007 were born. Since then, the world of computing has changed dramatically. For example, when FAS was first implemented, Apple had just begun to introduce desktop machines that didn't need to be addressed in computer code, and Microsoft Windows 1.0 hadn't been released yet. Even the hardware on which FAS runs is becoming obsolete."

The needs of Dartmouth's financial team have evolved as well, Keller adds. "Transaction volumes have increased dramatically, and there is a need to track and analyze data in increasingly complex and diverse ways to conform to current standards." OASIS, he notes, will facilitate working with issues that have been a challenge under FAS, such as compliance, restricted funding, and electronic approvals.

The OASIS project will introduce a new chart of accounts, a new grants accounting system, new reporting tools, and an e-procurement system. Those working in accounting services, budget planning, or financial management at the College will experience changes in the way they do their jobs when the new applications and processes are introduced. "The new system will have an impact on all those who have financial responsibilities, including managers, department heads, principal investigators, and others in the research community," says Lisa Celone, director of operations management and steering committee chair, adding that the OASIS team will continue to meet with financial officers and others to offer training sessions and to help with the transition.

Probably the biggest change that OASIS will introduce will be the use of new account numbers. They will be longer, enabling the College to better analyze financial information and give departments and divisions the ability to pinpoint data with more precision.

"The benefits to be derived from capturing more detailed information about expense and revenue transactions are enormous," says Keller. "With the implementation of the OASIS project, financial managers will have a greater range of tools, access to more data, and a more efficient and effective system. In turn," he adds , "the increased quality and availability of financial information will enhance planning and decision making, and better position all of Dartmouth to move into the future."

To get the latest information on the project, visit the OASIS Web site.

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