We are nearing the end of the project's construct phase during which the implementation team examined the system's functional requirements looking at how the system fit our needs and identifying small gaps that will require changes in current business practice. This is the second of four phases in the implementation of the financial software application, which includes the general ledger, purchasing and accounts payable modules.

The Financial Implementation Team is assisted by the PeopleSoft Professional Consulting Group. PSPG consultants offer not only expertise in the PeopleSoft application, but also knowledge of the best higher education business practices and help solving the kinds of technical problems common to such an implementation. The consulting team includes Valencia Borders, Project Manager; Joel Eiserman, Purchasing and Accounts Payable Consultant; and Robin Filler and Melissa Roberts, General Ledger and Accounting consultants. Several short-term, consultants-in-training also work with us as part of their orientation to the PeopleSoft organization.

The third phase, transition, scheduled for late Spring 2001, will build on the feedback gathered during prototyping and move us closer to system deployment, the final phase. In the deployment phase we will enter more Brandeis University-specific data, such as building locations, department codes, and preliminary budget figures.