Workday selected as W&M's new ERP
Summary
Workday will replace some of Banner as the new enterprise software platform for finance and human resources.
Full Description
The following email was sent by President Katherine Rowe to all faculty and staff on February 1, 2024.
Subject: Transitioning to Workday
Dear colleagues,
Starting this summer, as part of Vision 2026’s commitment to “evolve to excel,” W&M will move off the software platform Banner, which supports most university activities. That outdated platform will be replaced by a comprehensive suite of software services, Workday.
Why is this important to do? My answer is straightforward: W&M people work incredibly hard. Providing excellent tools for our dedicated staff and faculty is a high priority. So, over the next several years, the university will switch completely off Banner to the industry leader used by many top universities.
Workday’s software is simpler, more robust and more secure. It will make everyday tasks – such as hiring and onboarding new employees and budget processing – smoother and easier. Anyone who uses Banner will benefit directly from this effort. Students – supported by faculty and staff who use this software platform – will benefit as well. Workday promises to promote greater collaboration across the university and increase transparency. Simply put, it will provide a better daily work experience for all of us.
The transition will unfold in stages, led by a W&M team of senior staff in the provost’s office, HR, Finance, Student Affairs and IT. Their efforts will be supported by strong implementation partners: consultants with deep experience in guiding universities through this work. They will bring both the additional staffing that we know we will need, and the expertise gained from guiding our peers successfully through the same transition.
Over the past year, nearly 200 people across many W&M units helped identify needs, assess options, consult with peers and negotiate contracts. Many thanks are due to employees in University Human Resources, Financial Operations, Information Technology, Procurement and the Budget Office for their time and thoughtful evaluation.
This is an early heads-up, with no immediate action needed by you. You will hear more as we begin to move into pre-planning, later this year. And you can expect plenty of support and lead time. Please stay tuned.
Best regards,
Katherine
Katherine A. Rowe
President
Learn more about the university's transition to Workday on the project website.
