Hi everyone,

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI) would like to update you on the latest major production releases and updates for U of T’s Administrative Management Systems and Enterprise Shared Services.

The following are major changes from October 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024:

Financial Information System

Electronic Funds Transfer – Phase 3 (October 19)
In August 2022, the University launched the first phase of the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) project to transition vendor payments by paper cheque to direct deposit. Work on Phase 3 of the project, which began in June 2023, has now been completed. This phase involved streamlining processes for reviewing and approving supporting documentation for EFT and cheque payments. This phase also continued the strategic onboarding of existing U of T vendors.

Enterprise Shared Services

PEASI Alertable Notification System Launch (November 2023)
In November 2023, the University transitioned from Blackboard Connect to the PEASI Alertable notification system for sending mass, time-sensitive communications to the University community. PEASI has developed the highly rated Alertable system used by communities across Canada for emergency and day-to-day public notices. The Office of Safety and High Risk and University of Toronto Communications (UTC) office will be the primary users of this system as it provides fast and flexible notification options, including SMS text, email, and a mobile app. UTC coordinated a communications campaign updating the University community about the new Alertable system in late October 2023.

Microsoft Copilot (December 4)
On December 4, 2023, the University of Toronto made available to all eligible faculty, librarians and staff a new enterprise version of a generative AI-powered chatbot and search engine, Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing AI). For more information, visit https://its.utoronto.ca/microsoft-copilot/

Research Information System

University of Toronto Research Account (UTRAC) (December 2, 2023)
The Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) launched the University of Toronto Research Account (UTRAC) on December 2, 2023. UTRAC is the first part of a multi-phase initiative named My Research Funds (MRF) that will modernize the University of Toronto’s research funding administration tools. UTRAC is the successor to the Funded Research Digest (FReD) and serves as the primary tool for users such as Researchers, Business Officers, and Academic Administrators, to access detailed information about funded research awards. This initiative is part of U of T’s renewal of its SAP systems under the U of T Enterprise Modernization Program. 

Human Resources Information System

SuccessFactors Recruitment (October 15, 2023)
SuccessFactors Recruitment for Librarians went live on October 15, 2023. Previously, University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) posted positions externally. Now UTL has a dedicated page on U of T’s career website, which will provide a more consistent experience for recruiters and applicants.  

Payroll Posting Enhancement (December 2, 2023)
Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration implemented a technical back-end update to the payroll posting program. This enhancement was primarily a technical change that helped to streamline payroll operations. As a result of this update, moving forward the AMS GUI system will close at 5:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m. on payroll nights. View system availability for more details.

UTime
U of T will be upgrading to Ultimate Kronos Group’s (UKG’s) Pro Workforce Management timekeeping solution in advance of Kronos Workforce Central’s end of life in 2025. Rebranded by U of T as UTime, this new and modern solution will offer users an improved user interface, while continuing to provide the robust timekeeping functionality currently available in Workforce Central. A project to modernize and migrate to the new timekeeping solution was initiated in November 2023 with full implementation targeted for the fall 2024. Throughout this initiative, Information Technology Services will be working in collaboration with People Strategy, Equity & Culture, and participating faculties and divisions across the University.