The following chart and listing gives a brief timeline and some detail on the tasks that have taken place until now and that will be taking place in the future.

Pre-Planning Phase (Early 2000 - Q3/2002)

• Establish IAS Task Force.
• Studied business needs.
• Explored possible Project scopes.
• Met with several software system vendors to study available software.
• Developed a rough concept of cost.
• Task Force agreed on a single vendor approach rather than "best of breed."
• Task Force agreed that the Oracle E-Business suite software package best met the needs of all departments and the University as a whole.
• Introduced concept to the Budget and Operations Committee of the RU Board of Trustees, and received approval to begin planning and to estimate the cost of the Project in detail.
• IAS Task Force presented the Oracle system and the IAS Project to the IT Advisory Committee, and received positive feedback.

Planning Phase (Q4 2002 - Q3 2003)

• Formed the official Project organization structure consisting of a Steering Committee and Project Teams, and began holding regular meetings.
• Selected consultants to assist with project planning.
• Agreed on approaches for Project management, change management, risk management, and skills transfer.
• Developed detailed costs estimate for the IAS Project and presented them to Budget and Operations Committee of RU Board.
• Received RU Board Approval
• Purchased Oracle software
• Selected implementation consultants to assist with project implementation.
• Designed a preliminary Chart of Accounts that would meet the needs of the core business and administrative users of the system.

Core Modules Implementation Phase (Q4/2003 - Q3/2004)

This Phase is now underway and so listed items are planned but not completed:

• Form an Outreach and Communications Committee
  • Create an IAS website as a communication vehicle for the RU campus.
  • Form Focus Groups from the academic and administrative community in the areas of grants management, budgeting, and procurement.
• Implementation of the following Oracle Applications
  • Finance
    • General Ledger
    • Grants Accounting
    • Labor Distribution
    • Accounts Receivable
    • Accounts Payable
  • Procurement
    • Purchasing
    • Inventory/Order Management
    • Internet Procurement
  • Human Resources
    • Human Resources core module
    • Advanced Benefits

Self Service Deployment Phase (Q4/2004 - Q3/2005)

• Implementation of the following Oracle Applications
  • Finance
    • iExpense
    • Fixed Assets
  • Procurement
    • Purchasing Intelligence
    • Internet Sourcing
  • Human Resources
    • Benefits Self Service
    • Employee & Manager Self Service
    • Enhanced HR Functionality
    • Benefits Enhancements (Life Events)