CITY OF HOUSTON KICKS OFF $23 MILLION ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING PROJECT WITH SAP HR, Payroll and Financial System Upgrade Project Scheduled for July 2006 Debut
August 18, 2005 - Mayor Bill White today officially kicked off the City of Houston's $23 million Enterprise Resource Planning project that will allow the City to modernize its financial, payroll, materials management and human resource functions.
The City technologies supporting these systems were originally acquired in the late 1980s, and they are out of date with current technologies and are neither efficient from a labor stand point nor robust in terms of reporting.
"First, by replacing the existing systems, we will eliminate a serious risk that our aging systems could fail and force the City into extraordinary efforts to manage our finance functions," Mayor White said, "Second, by implementing a 'state of the art' ERP system, we will have some important new technical tools for continuing to transform City Hall into the most efficient and responsive local government in the nation."
On April 27, 2005, Houston City Council approved a contract and appropriation of necessary funds to implement SAP ERP software. SAP will help deploy a proven product widely used by corporations and governments around the world. The City engaged SAP's specialists for this project due to its successful guidance of many organizations through changeovers to the new system.
Functional experts from City Departments have been moved onto the implementation project team, which is being managed by the Information Technology Department. A Governance Committee co-chaired by Annise Parker, City Controller and Anthony Hall, Chief Administrative Officer of the City, has been formed and is comprised of Department Directors. A major objective of the ERP implementation is the standardization of process across all City departments.
On July 1, 2006, the City will implement the new financial and procurement systems. Then, on January 1, 2007, implementation of the human resources and payroll applications is expected to be complete.
August 18, 2005 - Mayor Bill White today officially kicked off the City of Houston's $23 million Enterprise Resource Planning project that will allow the City to modernize its financial, payroll, materials management and human resource functions.