 OneCarolina
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OneCarolina Update
The OneCarolina project team has completed a number of steps in the process of planning and preparing for implementation. OneCarolina is a multi-year project to replace outdated administrative systems throughout the University system. In the past few months, fit-gap studies and readiness assessments have been finalized.
The OneCarolina team is comprised of over one hundred members from across the University system (senior and regional campuses), and belong to five major groups of University operations: Student Information Systems, Financial Aid, HR/Payroll, Finance, Sponsored Programs, and Technology.
Business Process and Software Fit-Gap Status
The individual OneCarolina groups have completed fit-gap – the comparing of current business processes with the administrative software suite offered by SunGard Higher Education. Approximately 45 major business processes (including hundreds of sub-processes) were analyzed in student, financial aid, finance, research and human resources. These were matched to software applications, and recommendations were made to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
Readiness Assessment Survey
A readiness assessment survey was conducted by Collegiate Project Services to gather information in several areas: administrative infrastructure, staffing issues, skill sets, and leadership skills. The assessment has provided an independent evaluation of USC’s ability to carry out the OneCarolina project. We had wonderful participation from our campuses and key stakeholders. Eighty-five USC personnel participated in individual “live” interview sessions across four campuses, and a total of 635 staff, faculty, and students from across the University system provided their input via an on-line survey. Six separate focus group sessions were also conducted with over eighty-one participants, who brought a wealth of experience and information to the discussions.
Both the fit-gap studies and the readiness assessment provided OneCarolina with a very positive snapshot of the University’s ability to change our current systems:
- USC is well prepared for the implementation of a new administrative system.
- Areas of risk and weaknesses have been identified, and OneCarolina is currently addressing them.
- The business process analyses indicate the new system will dramatically improve functionality.
- Analysis of the proposed applications have found no major deficiencies in the software.
Transitional Activities
Over the summer, the OneCarolina team will be continuing to work on transitional issues. Currently the team is addressing areas in need of improvement that were identified from the fit-gap and readiness assessments. Further evaluations are being conducted to determine training needs, policies and procedures, and technical infrastructure requirements. Third-party vendor products, such as cashering/web payment systems, are also being evaluated during this period.
The OneCarolina project is on track to begin implementation this Fall.
OneCarolina Partners with SunGard Higher
Education
The University of South Carolina has announced a partnership with Sungard Higher Education. OneCarolina is the University's multi-year initiative to replace its outdated administrative computing applications, including Student Information Systems, Finance, Sponsored Programs and Human Resources into one easily accessible, Web-based system.
“The University and the OneCarolina team are pleased to move forward with this exciting project, and to be working with SunGard Higher Education” said Kimberly South, Public Relations Coordinator for University Technology Services. “The OneCarolina project will be an engine for technology transformation at the University of South Carolina, and we will be calling upon SunGard’s extensive expertise to partner with USC.”
 SunGard Higher Education is a global leader in software and processing solutions for financial services, higher education and the public sector. It services more than 1,600 higher education customers worldwide, and has annual revenues exceeding $4 billion. They are the leading provider of software and support, systems implementation and integration, strategic consulting, and technology management services to colleges and universities. The company seeks to strike a positive balance between people, processes, and technology to strengthen institutional performance.
In a letter announcing OneCarolina, Dr. Andrew Sorensen, President of the University of South Carolina, outlined the purpose and scope of the OneCarolina project. With increased growth in the academic community, Sorensen believes students, faculty, and staff will expect “instant, mobile access to fast and ubiquitous communications networks; comprehensive storehouses of digital information; cutting-edge, computer-driven resources for instruction, scholarship, and research; and contemporary IT business and administrative tools to help manage the USC enterprise efficiently. OneCarolina promises to meet or exceed all of these expectations.”
SunGard HE will be implementing an extensive suite of software systems that are managed under their Banner System. Banner is a software suite that will provide improved services, such as: allowing students easier access to their records, schedules, and class information; assist Human Resources in managing employee data and benefits; streamlining University financial practices; and improving University development and distribution of grant programs. These enhanced services will be available online through a secure login for University students, faculty, and staff.
“With increased growth in our academic community, and our ongoing emphasis in establishing and maintaining research partnerships in the public sector, the University is under greater demands to provide secure, comprehensive administrative services,” said South. “The OneCarolina project will move us quickly into that future.”
OneCarolina Opens New Offices
 The OneCarolina Project has opened its new office in the University Technology Services building at 1244 Blossom St. The new office will house OneCarolina staff, implementation teams from University administrative sections, and representatives from SunGard Higher Education Company.
The new office is located on the second floor of the main UTS building, and was renovated to accommodate additional personnel and the data infrastructure. It will become the new home for the OneCarolina’s Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and administrators, and accommodates meeting rooms for the project.
“We have been working on system requirements as the OneCarolina Project has gone forward,” said Jeff Farnham, deputy CIO and head of University Technology Services. “This is a major project for the University, and will require a team effort with a lot of people from colleges and departments around the University. Our office has been designed to help foster teamwork and effective flow of information. We particularly wanted to emphasize self-service and customer support.”
The new office is designed to be flexible to personnel changes. As different parts of the project are implemented and completed, OneCarolina teams may vary in size and space requirements. Low-rise cubical systems were set up to facilitate easy space changes and personnel shifts. “We have tried to strike a balance between being able to focus on individual tasks, while having access to collaboration with other team members. You want to be able to work with 19 or 20 other people in the area, but still be able to carry on a phone conversation with a customer.”
 The new office is currently occupied by core members of the OneCarolina team, but is expected to be filled quickly. “The OneCarolina lights are on, and we’re ready to get going,” said Farnham. “The whole OneCarolina team is ready.”
The OneCarolina Project is scheduled to run for a period of three years, as set forward in Dr. Andrew Sorensen’s 2006 Vision Report. “We plan to meet [technology] challenges by investing for the next five years in new technology, technical infrastructure, new services, software, and people,” wrote Sorensen. “Specifically, we will complete the OneCarolina project, which will reengineer improved business processes on all eight campuses.”
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