After months of planning and development, a new computerized business management system will be implemented by June. Because transition to the new CMMS will occur in stages, some researchers will be impacted immediately. System components include on-line animal ordering and “up to the minute” invoice access via the Research Support System (RSS); electronic barcode census; on-line Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP) enrollment via RSS; and OHSP training via Blackboard.
A key component of CMMS is the link between cost center and/or WBS numbers and active Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols. The new system will allow sponsored or non-sponsored charges to be made only to cost objects associated with approved IACUC protocols.
This will provide better association of IACUC protocols with funding sources; allow for more accurate funding source changes at funding year end; prevent unintentional charging to inappropriate funding sources; and improve financial compliance and accounting related to animal purchases and per diem/service charges. These changes will affect all personnel who use animals and those who are involved in determining funding sources for animal purchase and charges for per diem and animal care.
A new process is under development at Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) to address, when necessary, the use of non-sponsored project cost objects to pay for animals, per diem and animal care service charges. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and SPA soon will provide additional information.
In-house training for Comparative Medicine personnel is currently under way and will last through March. Comparative Medicine Advisory Group (CMAG) members and their staffs will be introduced to the new system during March and April and will then provide input back to Comparative Medicine.
Additional investigators and their staffs will be introduced to the new system, via small group meetings, during April and May. A campuswide presentation and demonstration of the new system is planned during the month of May. Full “roll-out” of the new CMMS is planned for June.