EASI

Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration

News

Posted on

U of T Electronic Funds Transfer Payment Pilot Project

Date: June 8, 2022
To: Departmental Administrators
From: Electronic Funds Transfer Pilot Project Team 
Re: U of T Electronic Funds Transfer Payment Pilot Project

 

Dear Departmental Administrators,

The University of Toronto is pleased to announce a pilot project for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment. This project has selected over 50 Canadian vendors to transition from payments with a paper cheque to direct deposit payments, offering increased payment speed while reducing processing costs for the University and vendors. Vendors were selected for the EFT pilot due to their transaction volume and spend. This pilot project will provide a foundation for future EFT rollout to additional vendors.

If vendors elect to participate, they will be provided with login credentials to upload their contact and banking information to the Enterprise Service Centre. Throughout the onboarding process, vendors will receive notifications from the Enterprise Service Centre to update them on the status of their submission.

The EFT pilot project represents minimal change to business processes for departments. Please stay tuned for further communications closer to the launch in August 2022.

Processing Details:

  • New payment method for EFT payments.
  • Unique document number for clearing documents.
  • Once enrolled, pilot vendors will only receive EFT payments and payments will run weekly.
  • Payments $50K and above will continue to require supporting documentation to be sent to AP the day before the EFT payment run.
  • Non-construction vendors who enroll in the pilot will have reduced payment terms from 35 to 25 days that will take effect after August 11.

Key Dates (subject to change as we undertake testing):

  • Vendors are invited to participate in the pilot on June 13.
  • Vendors are sent login credentials to the Enterprise Service Centre on June 27.
  • Vendors are asked to sign up for EFT payments by August 4.
  • Once enrolled, vendors will receive EFT payments after August 11.

Questions?
Please contact Kirin Jeffery, EFT Project Manager, at kirin.jeffery@utoronto.ca for specific questions.

Sincerely,
EFT Pilot Project Team

Posted on

AMS System Maintenance – Saturday, June 18 from 8:00am to 1:00pm

Date: June 8, 2022
To: U of T Staff
From: Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration
Re: AMS System Maintenance – Saturday, June 18 from 8:00am to 1:00pm

 

Hi everyone,

Please note that there will be scheduled system maintenance on Saturday, June 18 from 8:00am to 1:00pm. The following systems will not be available during that time:

  • Academic Administrative Appointments (AAA)
  • AMS SAP GUI
  • Capital Project Portal
  • Employee Self-Service (ESS)/Manager Self-Service (MSS)
  • Employees@UofT
  • Expense Reimbursement Direct Deposit (ERDD)
  • Fiori Launchpad Reporting
  • Invoice Workflow
  • My Research (MR/Portal)

See our System Availability page for ongoing information on system status.

Sincerely,
Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)

Posted on

U of T Launches New Timetable Builder Application

Date: June 6, 2022
To: ROSI Users
From: Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration – Student Information Systems
Re: U of T Launches New Timetable Builder Application

 

Hi everyone,

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI) is pleased to announce that we have launched the new Timetable Builder application.

The redesigned, cloud-based Timetable Builder allows students to easily create and optimize their course schedules with a convenient, user-friendly and accessible user experience. After a successful pilot at the University of Toronto Scarborough, this application has been enhanced and released.

EASI has conducted extensive research, design and usability testing across all three campuses. The resulting upgrades to the pilot Timetable Builder application have improved functionality and consolidated the benefits provided by Course Finder and divisional timetable applications.

The student application is available for the coming fall/winter courses and will display data from the following divisions:

  • University of Toronto Scarborough
  • University of Toronto Mississauga
  • The Faculty of Arts & Science
  • The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
  • The Faculty of Music
  • The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design

The improved Timetable Builder includes all the functionality that was previously available in Course Finder. As a result, Course Finder has been retired.

Thank you to the University of Scarborough Toronto for running a successful pilot of this application and to all divisions involved in this phase of the project for their invaluable feedback.

Visit Timetable Builder Expansion project to learn more, and if you have questions please contact Rodney Branch, Manager of Client Services & Process Integration, SIS, at rodney.branch@utoronto.ca.

Sincerely,
Student Information Systems

Posted on

Administrative Management System Now Available

Date: May 30, 2022
To: U of T Staff
From: Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration
Re: Administrative Management System Now Available

 

Hi everyone,

The implementation of the SAP Plant Maintenance and Asset Manager applications over the weekend was successful and the Administrative Management System is now available. Please note that uSOURCE will be available at 9:00 a.m.

Thank you for your patience as we worked to make these improvements.

Sincerely,
Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)

Posted on

EASI Welcomes 2022 Summer and Co-op Students

Sent on behalf of Cathy Eberts

Dear EASI staff,

I am happy to introduce to you the 2022 summer and co-op students Anthony, Jamal, Gordon, Amy, Yuwei and Simona who joined EASI in May. Please read their brief bios below to find out more and join me in welcoming them to the EASI team!

Headshot of Anthony Didiano Anthony Didiano joined the Digital Workplace team as a summer student to help with the Intune Migration project. He is studying forensic sciences in his third year at UTM, and he hopes to get into forensic toxicology or microbiology.

He is thankful for the opportunity to work for the University and gain experience in the workplace.
headshot of Jamal Elkouka Jamal Elkouka joined the User Experience team as a summer student. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree, entering his second and final year specializing in User Experience Design at the University of Toronto. In his free time, Jamal likes to engage in his interests and hobbies alongside exploring new ones. He loves taking the time to learn musical instruments, as well as occasionally play video games.

When it comes to user experience, he loves taking on new projects in different realms as it always keeps things fresh. He is always excited to tackle new projects and new problems to find the most creative and innovative way of solving them.

Jamal looks forward to meeting and working with everyone.
Headshot of Amy Li Amy Li joined the Enterprise Shared Services & Digital Workplace team as a summer student. She graduated with a Bachelor of Interior Design from the Toronto Metropolitan University, where she developed sensitivity in designing for the human experience. Her interest soon expanded from designing for the physical to the digital. To pursue this interest, she is currently studying in the Master of Information program at the University of Toronto, where she focuses on user experience design and human-centred data science. Overall, Amy is passionate about the intersection of design, data, and technology.

In her free time, Amy enjoys cats, kendo, and trying to climb things (physically and metaphorically).
headshot of Gordon Ma Gordon Ma joined the Digital Workplace’s Intune Migration project as a summer student after three years with the Information Commons Help Desk, where he provided IT support.

In 2021, he completed a Master of Information in Library & Information Science and Archives & Records Management at the Faculty of Information (iSchool), University of Toronto.
headshot of Yuwei Jiang Yuwei (pronounced yoo-wey) Jiang is a Master of Information Student within iSchool, where she is currently pursuing a degree in user experience design with a strong interest in information management. She comes to EASI as a summer co-op student with strong skills in project coordination, research, user experience design and innovation.

Yuwei has been hired for a Project Coordinator role within the Salesforce Student Success Advising Service project that is currently underway within NGSIS. She will be a part of the Client Services Team within SIS reporting to Rodney Branch. She is hoping to develop a career in project management that facilitates team projects and delivers client-centered services.

Outside of her career and study, Yuwei enjoys kayaking, indoor climbing, painting during the summer, and snowboarding during the winter!
Headshot Simona Montolova Simona Montolova joined the Reporting & Analytics Technology team as a co-op student.  She is passionate about the Information Technology industry and happy to have the chance to turn it into her career. She is a recent graduate of the Computer Systems Technician – Networking Diploma program at Centennial College. Simona has a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Bulgarian Language and Semiotics. Her goal is to further expand the professional skills that would enable her to best contribute to her team and lead her to professional development.

Outside of the office, Simona loves spending time with her family, especially with her eight-year-old son. She Loves walks, being around nature, and reading books. She is also interested in spiritual awakening and developing a positive mindset.
Posted on

Reminder: System Outage – May 27 at 5 pm to May 29 at 7 pm

Date: May 19, 2022
To: U of T Staff
From: Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration 
Re: Reminder: System Outage – May 27 at 5 pm to May 29 at 7 pm

 

Hi everyone,

This is a reminder that the systems below will be unavailable from Friday, May 27 at 5 pm to Sunday, May 29 at 7 pm.

This outage is planned to facilitate the implementation of the SAP Plant Maintenance and Asset Manager applications. This implementation will support Facilities & Services in improving stewardship of campus building and utility assets through mobile work order management, a central repository of equipment data, digital planning and scheduling of maintenance, and more.

Unavailable Systems

  • Academic Administrative Appointments (AAA)
  • AMS SAP GUI
  • Capital Project Portal
  • Employee Self-Service (ESS)/Manager Self-Service (MSS)
  • Employees@UofT
  • Expense Reimbursement Direct Deposit (ERDD)
  • Fiori Launchpad Reporting
  • Invoice Workflow
  • My Research (MR/Portal)
  • uSOURCE

See our System Availability page for ongoing information on system status.

Sincerely,
Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI)

Posted on

EASI’s return to campus: hybrid work strategies for success

Abstract blue background with white text that says, "EASI's Return to Campus"

How can we organize effective hybrid meetings and enhance workplace connections? How can we provide effective training in a hybrid environment? And how can we take care of ourselves and one another? These are just some of the questions tackled by Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration’s (EASI) Return to Campus Focus Group.

From October to December 2021, 12 staff members representing all units within EASI met on a weekly basis to discuss the challenges they were facing, and how to make a return to campus an exciting experience.

“When we met with the group, we heard so many different perspectives and recognized that everyone was experiencing the pandemic in different ways,” says Vik Chadalawada, assistant director of Student Information Systems with EASI, and focus group co-chair. “Everyone brought their unique perspectives to the table and while there were many challenges, we really focused on solutions.”

Objectives of the focus group included brainstorming engagement ideas, ensuring diverse representation, aligning on key themes, reviewing ideas, and creating a final report to share with EASI staff.

Once key themes emerged from the group, they narrowed their focus to topics including, organizing effective hybrid meetings, creating stronger personal connections, ensuring health and well-being in the workplace, and enhancing training. Central to these themes was the idea of flexibility and adapting to a hybrid environment.

Throughout the pandemic, EASI staff have been in consultation with Gartner, Inc. to gauge industry trends in the workplace. They also met with University of Toronto Mississauga’s Information and Instructional Technology staff to learn about best practices for hybrid work.

The trends and research show that organizations can have a greater impact when engaging staff and considering the need for additional support and well-being programs. Research also shows that change is essential for an organization to adapt to disruption, and it allows organizations to take advantage of new opportunities.

“Going back to campus doesn’t just mean going back to the way we did things in the past,” says Gary Raposo, assistant director, Enterprise Shared Services with EASI, and focus group co-chair. “When we started discussions with the focus group it was about changes in technology, but in the end it was about making a cultural shift and supporting staff whether they’re working remotely or in-person.”

The focus group’s recommendations for an effective hybrid workplace have recently been published on EASI’s website.

“This report isn’t a prescriptive playbook but rather a two-way street to start a conversation about how to create a vibrant campus and build connections with hybrid work,” says Raposo. “We encourage teams to read the report and implement ideas that would be most useful.”

Chadalawada agrees and says that next steps include further consultations with U of T’s Health and Well-Being Programs and Services to create ongoing mental well-being programs.

Posted on

EASI Retirements: August 2022

Congratulations to Mike Ryall, who will be retiring on August 31, 2022 after 26 years of dedicated service to U of T.

Over the years, Mike has been a key member of IT at U of T, and has always supported the needs of EASI staff and users across the university. When people need help, they call Mike. He has consistently made himself available to solve complex issues, and his in-depth historical knowledge of U of T has proven invaluable.

Learn more about Mike below, and please join me in wishing him all the best in the future thanking him for his dedication!

Cathy Eberts
Director Enterprise Applications and Deputy CIO

headshot of Mike sitting in front of 4 large computer screens

Michael Ryall, Computer Network Support Specialist
Joined U of T: October 1, 1996
Last day of work: May 31, 2022
Retirement: August 31, 2022

Describe your background and how you arrived at EASI
I’ve had a couple of sessions working at U of T. The first one was working as a programmer for four years starting in the 1980s for the Information Student Systems group. I then left for an opportunity at IBM. After a couple of years, the IBM location I was working at became Celestica and I was laid off.

One of the things that interested me at Celestica was LAN administration and there was talk of the mainframe going away, so I thought it would be a good time for a bit of a career path change. I went back to school for about six months to learn about networking and got my Certified Novell Engineer designation. After a couple of small contracts I got back into my old U of T department, now called Student Information Systems, on a contract assisting the senior LAN administrator. The senior LAN administrator had some health issues and was away for a while and I did some major upgrades and changes, and he didn’t know how to do things when he got back. He ended up finding another job at the university, so my contract became permanent.

The department moved from Robarts Library to 246 Bloor St., and we took over the 6th and 7th floors. There were all kinds of changes, and I also became involved in a lot of the renovation planning at 246 Bloor. I remained there until Information Technology Services was formed and merged the various IT groups. I then became part of a desktop support group, now called the Digital Workplace, that has gone through many iterations and I eventually landed in EASI.

What will you remember most about EASI?
Many of the people in EASI have become very good loyal friends over the years and will be missed when I leave. They have also been a fountain of knowledge.

What will you remember most about U of T?
Over the years I’ve been contacted to help fix various problems. It always makes you feel good when someone is extremely grateful that you reached out to them and made things better.

What do you plan to do in retirement?
These last couple of years have been tough. My initial plan is to go down to Florida for the summer and take it easy kayaking, golfing and avoiding computers. If I get the computer bug again, I might look into a contract when I get back.