University of Illinois System
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What is an ERP?

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning.

It's the central system that supports nearly every operational area of the University of Illinois System, including Human Resources, Finance, Admissions, Financial Aid, Payroll, Records, Registration, Equipment Inventory, Accounts Receivable, and Recruiting.

Our ERP system is what keeps the U of I System running smoothly behind the scenes, by linking disparate business processes and information and collecting the U of I System's shared transactional data from multiple sources into a single source of truth, helping to eliminate data duplication and providing data integrity. Every paycheck processed, every student admitted, and every purchase relies on this system.

You can think of it as the System's digital backbone. An ERP connects these areas so that information can flow securely and efficiently across departments, helping the System function as one coordinated organization.

Why are we changing our ERP system?

The system we use currently, Banner, has served us well for decades, thanks in large part to the dedication and expertise of employees who have learned to make the most of it.

However, technology and user needs have changed significantly over time, and replacing Banner with a modern, cloud-based ERP will help us to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and better support our work.

What are the benefits of the modern ERP systems?

Moving to a modern, cloud-based ERP will help:

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Improve efficiency by reducing redundancies and automating workflows.

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Provide real-time, integrated data for better financial and operational planning.

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Align with industry best practices for business processes.

Icon for Reduced Reliance

Reduce reliance on aging infrastructure, application sprawl, and costly customizations.

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Enhance the user experience for students, faculty, and staff.

Implementation Timeline

​The transition will take place over multiple phases:

  • Readiness Phase (3-4 years): Assessing current systems, identifying gaps, and implementing improvements. This is when we will be introducing our new Readiness Program, which will contain a host of training resources and events to help prepare you well in advance for this change.
  • Selection Phase (1-2 years): Evaluating ERP vendors and ensuring alignment with institutional needs.
  • Deployment Phase (5+ years): Implementing Finance and HR modules first, followed by student systems.
University of Illinois System - Draft Saas ERP Project Timeline as of October 27, 2025

Readiness

Timeline: FY26 Q3 - FY27 Q4

Overall Project Timeline

  • Sponsor Awareness
  • Technical, Data, Financial, Change Management, Identity Prep Time
  • Collaborative Planning (Consultant Engagement) including collaborative planning, financial and staffing planning, governance design, program office design, technical and program review and analysis
  • Consultant Engagement #2: Functional and Business Readiness Work
  • Readiness Work based on Consultant Engagement Output (Technical, Functional, Data, Change Management, Financial, Identity)
  • Resourcing and Program Office Set Up
  • This phase has an indeterminate endpoint based on consultant engagement and our assessed state of readiness and prep work required. This will remain at FY end or Year 0.

HCM/FINANCE

  • (No specific HCM/FINANCE activities are listed within this phase)

STUDENT

  • (No specific STUDENT activities are listed within this phase)

Selection

Timeline: Year 0 - Year 1

Overall Project Timeline

  • SELECTION
  • DECISION: Move forward or Continue readiness work

HCM/FINANCE (Year 0 - Year 1)

  • Complete RFP
  • SaaS ERP/S Platform Implementation Partner Selected (Consultant Engagement)
  • DECISION: Product and System Implementation Partner Selected

STUDENT (Year 0 - Year 2)

  • SELECTION
  • Cross-ERP Design/Vendor Platform
  • Student Selection
  • DECISION: Move ahead with Student Selection or Wait

Implementation

Timeline: Year 1 - Year 5 (Overall); Year 1 - Year 5 (HCM/FINANCE); Year 2 - Year 6 (STUDENT)

Overall Project Timeline

  • IMPLEMENTATION
  • Program Office Operations

HCM/FINANCE

  • HR/Fin Implementation

STUDENT

  • Implementation
  • Student Platform Implementation

Stabilization

Timeline: Year 4 - Year 6 (Overall); Year 4 - Year 6 (HCM/FINANCE); Year 6 - Year 7 (STUDENT)

Overall Project Timeline

  • STABILIZATION
  • Program Office Operations

HCM/FINANCE

  • Stabilization (Post implementation support)

STUDENT

  • STABILIZATION
  • Stabilization (Post implementation support)

Operations

Timeline: Year 6 - Year 9 (Overall); Year 6 - Year 9 (HCM/FINANCE); Year 7 - Year 9 (STUDENT)

Overall Project Timeline

  • OPERATIONS
  • Program Office Decommissioning

HCM/FINANCE

  • HR & Finance Operations

STUDENT

  • Operations

Together, we can make this transformation a success!

Share Your Feedback

Your voice matters as we move toward our new ERP system. We want to hear your feedback, including your concerns and hopes for how this system can better support your work.

Get Involved

There will be several opportunities for you to get involved as we move through this process, such as surveys, roundtables, and focus groups. Your participation will help shape a smoother transition for everyone.

Become an ERP Readiness Champion!

Want to take it a step further? As an ERP Readiness Champion, you will develop readiness expertise to help prepare your team for the new ERP system. Readiness Champions will share updates about the process with their teams and will guide their units through training and readiness activities.

Get Involved