Date: July 31, 2023
To: AMS and Enterprise Shared Services Users
From: Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration
Re: EASI Go Prod AMS & Enterprise Shared Services Updates – Mar. 1 to Jul. 31, 2023
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 March 1 to July 31, 2023:
AMS Password Reset (June 22)
On June 22, EASI transitioned the previous AMS Password Reset form, hosted on the EASI website, to the Enterprise Service Centre. Users can now log in to the Enterprise Service Centre, fill out a pre-populated form and a new password is automatically sent to their @utoronto or associated email address. This streamlined process provides an improved user experience and increased security.
Financial Information System
Air Travel Emissions Mitigation Initiative (March 15)
On March 15, U of T launched a new initiative to mitigate the impact of emissions from air travel as part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and take action to minimize climate change. The Sustainability Office partnered with the Information and Technology Services (ITS) and the Financial Advisory Services and Training (FAST) teams to build a mechanism within existing financial systems and processes to calculate offset fees during the reimbursement period and retroactively charge it to the corresponding departments.
AMS Fiscal Year-End Closure 2023Â (May 1)
Multiple teams from EASI and Financial Services worked together to ensure the 2023 FI Fiscal Year End event was successful. The benefits of the SAP S/4HANA environment continue to reduce overall processing time. Fiori Launchpad Reporting continues to allow users to carry on with their business operations during the fiscal year-end closure period. Throughout the year, the teams worked to optimize system efficiencies and continued to reengineer programs to decrease processing times.
Electronic Funds Transfer – Phase 3 (June)
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, involves streamlining processes, particularly in Accounts Payable for reviewing and approving supporting documentation for payments. This phase also continues the strategic onboarding of existing U of T vendors, and the EFT team is still accepting additional vendor recommendations from the U of T community for future consideration.
AMS Printing (July 20)
On July 20, EASI defaulted SAP printing to a front-end solution that makes printing reports from AMS faster, easier and safer. Using this default printing method, users can print reports to PDF and their local printers, as well as email reports directly from AMS. This simplified approach, adopted by 70 per cent of users prior to the default, can be used in all AMS/SAP modules. Web-based applications, including Fiori Launchpad Reporting, Expense Reimbursement Direct Deposit and Employee Self-Service/Manager Self-Service, continue to print as usual.
Enterprise Shared Services
Yammer Platform Disabled (July 31)
Yammer, a Microsoft social networking service not institutionally supported by U of T, was disabled on July 31. This decision was made based on recommendations from a Microsoft Tactical Resources Committee working group in consultation with People Strategy Equity & Culture, the University of Toronto Communications Office and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Office. This committee identified several risks associated with the Yammer service, including privacy and moderation. Groups looking to establish an online community are encouraged to use Microsoft Teams.
Human Resources Information System
Kronos (March 1 to July 31, 2023)
Kronos, a convenient, cloud-based time and attendance system, eliminates the use of paper timesheets and the need to forecast employee hours through online approval processes. Between March 1 and July 31, 2023, EASI implemented Kronos Timekeeper within the Faculty of Music.
