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Eiro Frequently Asked Questions

In This Section:

What is Eiro?
Named for the Greek term that means “to join or connect,” Eiro (pronounced ār'ō) is a new web-based administration system designed to strengthen relationships between APU community members and to facilitate the management and sharing of information.

The new system from Oracle PeopleSoft serves APU’s people-centered needs, while offering the university the advantage of operating with innovative, cutting-edge technology. The software not only supports the core functions of the university, such as finance, human resources, students, and customer relationship management, but also allows departments to work together more closely to serve students.

Who is Oracle PeopleSoft?
As one of the leading companies in the enterprise software industry, Oracle produces relational database software, providing comprehensive business and industry solutions that enable organizations to significantly improve performance.

In 2005, Oracle acquired PeopleSoft, bringing together the best and brightest talent in enterprise software. Oracle PeopleSoft helps its customers manage their business systems and information with reliable, secure, and integrated technologies.

Why is Azusa Pacific switching to Oracle PeopleSoft?
Since 1993, APU utilized IFAS (Integrated Financial and Administration System), with an upgrade 10 years later. After SunGard restructured their service offerings, they announced that software for student modules would no longer be offered as of December 2011, while their accounting software would continue as a separate offering. This prompted the university to find a strong alternative that overcomes present challenges and meets future needs.

Drawing upon campus representatives from key departments in place since the IFAS migration in 1993, the Client Impact Team (CIT) reviewed the top four solutions. CIT unanimously recommended Oracle PeopleSoft as the system that most closely fit the university’s functional needs.

What will Eiro do for APU?
Eiro will allow the university to focus on what it values most – people. Several software features, such as online time card keeping and expense reporting, among others, can streamline work and increase efficiency. Eiro allows APU to solve inefficient processes, so that emphasis remains on people – serving students, connecting departments, involving donors and friends, and so on.

Eiro also gives the university the ability to exchange a greater volume of information faster, creating better connections among people and allowing decisions to be made more quickly and effectively.

How will APU maximize this project?
With the acquisition of this system, Ciber now comes alongside the university to ensure that the software is successfully implemented. Oracle PeopleSoft recommended Ciber, a nationally recognized consulting firm with expertise in helping organizations, including higher education institutions, implement Oracle PeopleSoft software. In fact, Ciber has successfully implemented 25 percent of all Oracle PeopleSoft higher education institutions in the U.S.

How will the transition happen?
The new Oracle PeopleSoft system comprises five different modules, including customer relationship management, student administration, finance, and human resources, as well as a university portal. Each will be set live as work is completed. The timing of each module involved consultation with APU’s academic and financial calendars to determine the most appropriate transition times for each one.

Who is on the Eiro Project Team?
Eiro Project Team members were nominated by the Client Impact Team and by representatives from various university departments. The team includes functional leads and subject matter experts. Drawing upon their expertise and knowledge of their department, functional leads serve as the primary contact for a specific department and organize meetings, arrange departmental training, coordinate department decisions, and resolve team issues. Throughout the implementation process, they report progress to the project management team. Subject matter experts become experts on the Oracle PeopleSoft software through hands-on use and training, and serve as the “go-to” person within their departments.

How far along is the project?
The Eiro Project began in October 2007 with preparation for the implementation of the finance module, which launched in July 2008. Eleven months into the project, many modules are well underway. Eiro Project team members continue to configure and test the student administration, human resources, customer relationship management, and portal portions of the new PeopleSoft software. Also, many departments within the university have collaborated to discover what their best working relationships will be through the new web-base administrative system.

What is happening next in the project?
In the next few months, the Eiro Project focus remains on the student administration module, with the admissions portion of the software scheduled to go live December 1. Eiro team members aim to complete configuration and testing of the student administration module, which includes academic advising, student records, student financial services, financial aid, and admissions, in order to provide the best possible service when it launches in spring 2009. Like their student administration teammates, the human resources project team prepares this fall to thoroughly test their module as it is slated to go live in January 2009.

How will Eiro help students?
Eiro will not only offer students easier access to records and information, but will also place a new university portal equipped with world-class technology at their fingertips. Processes such as academic advising and registration will be streamlined through Eiro, increasing efficiency and convenience.

How will Eiro help faculty and staff?
Eiro places a variety of tools at the disposal of APU’s faculty and staff. From the convenience of online features such as time card keeping and expense reporting to integrated technology designed to improve the classroom experience, Eiro supports the university’s goals of providing excellent service to its students, while promoting relationship building among the diverse elements of APU’s community.

Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, contact Jim Fischella, Eiro project manager, at (626) 387-5751 or jfischella@apu.edu. You may also visit the Eiro Project trailer located on West Campus directly east of the science center construction site.

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