New Grants Management System
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has begun implementation of a new Grants Management System. This new system will allow a close integration with our accounting system (SFS).
The implementation of the PeopleSoft Grants Suite will address the following strategic and operational business needs:
- Enhance Reporting. Initiate operational reporting capability and provide for reporting of performance metrics.
- Build upon electronic research systems to address areas of compliance concern.
- Share Data. Provide information to key university systems and constituencies, at the Milwaukee campus and throughout the UW System.
- Implement Grants Management System. Implement a system the Office of Research Services and Administration (RSA) can use to capture critical data elements for tracking and reporting on research activity.
- Reduce redundant data entry and manual processes and enable more efficient communication, collaboration, and integration of processes between RSA, compliance committees, and the research community.
- Streamline Support Structure. Support one database and reduce the need for maintenance of independent legacy systems.
- Manage Billing and Accounts Receivable. Gain ability to actively manage revenue, unbilled and billed cash balances real-time.
- Reduce Need for Supplemental and Legacy Systems. Reduce the need for supplemental systems by colleges, departments, and other UWM offices.
- Replace aging data systems. Reduce reliance on systems that are based on outmoded hardware and software platforms.
In addition, our current systems do not currently meet all of the needs in the complex and changing regulatory environment. The implementation of this system along with the implementation of the new Effort Reporting System (ECRT) that went live in November of 2007 will allow UWM to address the following compliance concerns:
- Effort Reporting.
- Accuracy and Timeliness of Reporting.
- Cash Management.
- Letter of Credit Management.
- Cost Transfers and Overruns.
- Control and Monitoring of Project Budgets and Expenditures.
- Cost Sharing.
The new Grants Management System is expected to be available to users in February 2008. Questions regarding the Grants Project should be e-mailed to grants-project@uwm.edu. The new Effort Reporting System (ECRT) went live November 1, 2007. For more information on the Effort Certification System, please go to www.effort.uwm.edu.
Grants Management System Overview
This system includes WISPER and WISDM enhancements for Grants. These systems are interconnected and will maintain a smooth flow of accurate information. In addition, the Grants Management will allow RSA staff to work more efficiently by reducing the number of manual processes needed to manage grants. One example is the ability to automatically generate invoices.
PowerPoint Presentations
- Overview of the Grants Project presented to the campus Unit Business Representatives (UBRs) on 8/2/2007
- Overview of the WISPER, WISDM improvements as a result of Grants Project
- Options available to each school/college for electronically routing proposals to RSA
- Updates on WISPER, WISDM along with detailed timeline for Grants Project implementation presented to UBRs on 1/10/2008
WISPER
WISPER (WISconsin Proposal Electronic Routing) will replace the paper T-form and will assist in collecting data necessary to record information for internal tracking and reporting purposes. In addition WISPER will allow for electronic signatures, routing for approvals, and submission of proposals to sponsors. Further, WISPER will allow for the capture of a significant portion of the data required for tracking submissions, negotiations and setting up of awards.