Project
LINK introduces automated systems
Project LINK (Linking Information Networks and Knowledge) has
arrived at UNM.
In fact, Project LINK (formerly known as the EMIS
or SCT Banner) was introduced to the University
in a big way last week when President F. Chris Garcia, along
with several UNM vice presidents and members of the projects
Coordinating Team, hosted a Campus Update to describe
the projects scope, timelines and details to UNM faculty,
staff and students.
Project LINK is a University-wide effort to reengineer and
automate various University business and administrative processes
to make them more efficient and customer focused.
The multi-layered project will be implemented over the next
five to seven years beginning with a financials component that
will include the introduction of web-based purchasing, accounts
payable and general ledger systems.
These automated systems have already been introduced
to several institutions of higher education throughout the country,
including some here in New Mexico. When they become functional,
they will streamline our systems and make them much more user-
and customer-friendly, said UNM Vice President for Business
and Finance Julie Weaks Gutierrez.
The project will have significant ramifications for faculty,
staff and students across campus. It will, for example,
change the way faculty post grades for their students. It will
allow for more comprehensive student advisement. It will change
the way students apply for admission to UNM. It will change
the way we order and pay for goods and services, she said.
The project will reengineer and redesign UNMs major
administrative processes by applying modern information technology
such as electronic workflow and electronic edits that will increase
data accuracy, web-based, on-demand reporting. It will create
business processes that more efficiently utilize staff at both
the departmental and central business office levels, said
Weaks Gutierrez.
In addition to the Finance system, Project LINK will also automate
systems in UNMs Student Affairs area, Financial Aid, Human
Resources and the Advancement Divisions Alumni and Development
areas.
UNM has contracted with the SCT Corp., a global information
technology solutions company, to provide its SCT Banner suite
of software that will integrate and automate UNMs core
administrative systems and processes. SCT is also providing
project management services as part of its contract with UNM.
Currently, information about the project can be found at link.unm.edu.
Also, for more information and a subscription to the projects
electronic newsletter, subscribe to the EMISP-L listserve or
call 277-2521.