Common Management Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

CMS Project

What is CMS?

CMS stands for Common Management Systems (formerly Collaborative Management Systems). CMS is a CSU-wide initiative that is working toward replacing some of the key administrative information systems at all CSU campuses with new PeopleSoft software. The systems being targeted are the Human Resources, Financial Management, and Student information systems. More information on the CSU System-wide CMS project can be seen at the CMS internal Web site at: http://cms.calstate.edu/

Where are we now in the CMS implementation?

Chico began the CMS implementation in 2001-2002 with PeopleSoft Financials 7.5 and Human Resources 8.0. Over the next few years the CMS teams proceeded to implement Student Administration 8.0 modules including Admissions, Campus Community, Financial Aid, Student Records/Registration, Student Financials, and Advising/Transfer Credit. In addition, the campus performed an upgrade from Financials 7.5 to Financials 8.4 and completed the financials administrative suite by adding Asset Management, Accounts Receivables (non-student), and Billing modules. Human Resources teams implemented Base Benefits and recently improved campus time-keeping functionality by implementing the Time and Labor module. Student Administration piloted self-service for students in April 2005 with online registration via the Chico State Portal. All administrative areas are investigating self-service capabilities for students, faculty, and staff, and the new campus portal environment has increased the usability of the CMS functions.

What are the imperatives for moving forward?

Chico’s goal is to provide more effective administrative functions through the integration of systems for Financials, Human Resources, and Student Administration/Financial Aid. To date we are using two of the three CMS/PeopleSoft systems and are scheduled to have our first student module in production in October 2004. The full benefit of integrated systems will not be realized until all are in production.
Chico is under pressure to complete the implementation of the Student Administration modules as vendor support for SIS+ and the IBM mainframe is limited and expensive. Chico is facing an:

• Inability to maintain legacy systems - vendor support for these systems is eroding and will soon be non-existent as service providers concentrate on newer and more profitable products.

• Outdated Financial Aid system that cannot effectively deliver services to our students

• Increased demand for services - both academic and administrative users and students are demanding more services that legacy systems can no longer provide. Due to budget constraints, the self service utilities available via CMS will be the only way Chico can effectively serve our constituents.

• Pressure to meet demand for more timely and accurate management information for decision-making, support, and state requirements.

• Prohibitive expense of maintaining the "status quo" - allocating scarce resources to keep inadequate legacy systems limping along is a waste of campus resources. Additionally, a delay would require expensive reinvestment in SIS+ software and hardware. With every delay, the cost of a permanent solution increases.

Why not delay the CMS project?

Answer: Because it is too costly. Chico is already mid-way through implementation of the final application. A number of project costs are ongoing and require payment regardless of the implementation schedule. Legacy expenses continue to accumulate until new systems are in production. As such, any delay forces overall project costs to increase.
Chico has already invested resources in the following:

• Project planning

• Staff time and effort

• Staff (functional & technical) training

• Backfill assignments

• Consulting contracts

• Hardware & software

• Interface and report development

• Documentation

• Vendor contracts and maintenance costs

• Campus integrated procedures

The student administration implementation is dependent on a tight sequence of interrelated events surrounding a student’s relationship with the university. Delays at this point in time would involve a tremendous amount of work to regain time, effort, and momentum lost.