The naming of Accenture as the Ohio Administrative Knowledge System (OAKS) system integrator continues to build momentum for transforming the way the State of Ohio does business. As the OAKS project prepares to enter into the integration phase, a series of kick-off events were held to update key project stakeholders.

On May 26, 2005, OAKS state and Accenture executives provided a briefing for the OAKS Business Owners Advisory Group and Executive Sponsors. Made up of key state executives who represent the business areas impacted by the OAKS project, these two groups are focused on facilitating a successful OAKS implementation and streamlining related decision making. During the kick off, OAKS executives provided information on the project team structure, activities and timelines. "We are entering into a very exciting phase of the project," said OAKS Executive Program Manager, David White. "We are looking forward to working with our integration partner - Accenture - as we move forward with the configuration of the system."

Kick off events continued with an OAKS project-wide meeting on June 15, 2005. During the six weeks following the April 29 awarding of the system integration contract to Accenture, the OAKS Project team has expanded to nearly nine times its original size. This expansion is the result of a number of state agency employees being temporarily reassigned to work on the project, along with the arrival of Accenture staff who are experienced in implementing PeopleSoft systems. These Accenture resources will work hand-in-hand with state employees to configure and implement 50 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software modules acquired from PeopleSoft last fall. This project-wide kick off provided team members with the opportunity to meet new colleagues and learn about the importance of the OAKS Project to the State of Ohio. "We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the state on this very important project," said Accenture's Program Executive, John Hrusovsky. "We are looking forward to helping the state with the OAKS business transformation."

During the integration phase, the OAKS team will work with Accenture to . Confirm requirements for business processes . Configure the PeopleSoft software to support requirements . Design and construct system interfaces & conversion programs . Develop and execute test scripts . Design, develop and pilot end user training, and . Facilitate agency readiness.

OAKS is a multi-year initiative to transform the way the State of Ohio does business. The first implementation is scheduled for July 2006, with three more implementations scheduled to follow in October 2006, July 2007 and January 2008. When fully operational, OAKS will streamline the state's financial and human resource functions.

A copy of the kick-off meeting presentation is available through the OAKS Web site (Download Presentation).