University of Illinois System
ERP HomeOur Path ForwardWhat You Can Expect Project Sponsors

Business Modernization/Transformation Project for the University of Illinois System

The University of Illinois System is launching a modernization effort to transform how we do business across the System. This work will streamline processes and simplify administrative tasks for employees at every level. A major part of this effort is replacing our current ERP system, Banner, with a modern, cloud-based platform that offers clearer, faster, and more intuitive tools.

This business transformation initiative is a partnership between business and academic units and IT. The initiative is being led by the functional units that own university business processes. These units will define requirements and guide decisions for the new system including which products are chosen and when implementation will occur, while our IT partners provide essential implementation and technical support throughout the transition.

What is an ERP?

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning.

The ERP is 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.

It serves as the U of I System’s digital backbone for administrative operations, connecting business processes, collecting data, and organizing it into a single, reliable source of information. Behind the scenes, the ERP enables information to flow securely and efficiently across departments, ensures data integrity, and allows the U of I System to operate as one coordinated organization. Every student admitted, every purchase made, and every paycheck issued depends on this system.

Why are we changing our ERP system?

For over two decades, Banner has served the U of I System well—thanks to the dedication and expertise of employees who learned to make the most of it. However, extensive internal customizations and workarounds were required to meet our evolving needs, and maintaining this aging infrastructure is increasingly time- consuming and costly. Furthermore, in order to take advantage of next-generation ERP capabilities we must move to a cloud-based system.

As technology and user expectations have rapidly advanced, modern ERP systems now offer far more streamlined, integrated, and intuitive solutions. Transitioning to a modern, cloud-based ERP will improve efficiencies, simplify processes, and better position the U of I System for long-term success.

Modernizing our ERP is a strategic opportunity to transform how the University of Illinois System operates and supports its employees, students, and stakeholders. Upgrading from legacy technology to cutting-edge ERP capabilities will help us stay agile, data-driven, and prepared for the future.

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

(For more details, select each icon below.)

Moving to a new ERP system will allow the U of I system to:

  • Create Strategic Alignment: Modernizing our ERP supports student success, empowers stakeholders, and leverages data for better outcomes.

  • Tackle Current Challenges: While the current ERP is highly customized and stable, it relies on legacy systems, redundant applications, and lacks next-generation capabilities, which poses several risks include rising costs, talent dependency, and limited on-board reporting and analytics.

  • Respond to Market Shift: Across the ERP market, vendors are moving away from costly and risky on-premises solutions, moving to cloud-based ERP systems.

  • Maximize Key ERP Benefits: A cloud-based ERP will drive business process efficiency and standardization, simplify user experience, enable real-time data to support decision-making, improve security and compliance, and support continuous innovation.

  • Utilize Artificial Intelligence: Cloud-based ERP solutions include embedded AI and machine learning capabilities to automate workflows, detect anomalies, improve forecasting, and provide predictive analytics for finance, human resources, and student success.

What are our options?

Only three platforms exist on the ERP market today that can support the needs of a large, Research 1, multi-university system such as the University of Illinois System. Those options are:

Ellucian Cloud

This is the cloud version of our current ERP, Banner with enhanced product capabilities.

Workday

Workday is a cloud-native ERP with an advanced Finance and HR suite. They also offer the Workday Student application suite.

Oracle Cloud

Oracle cloud has an advanced Finance and HR suite. They are also developing the Oracle Student Cloud application suite, although it has not been released.

When selecting and deploying a new ERP, our approach will be to implement the HR and Finance modules first, as those modules are sufficiently mature and reliable across the ERP market and are required as a foundation for other modules including Student.

Student modules on the market today are still in the growth stages and continue to mature in terms of their ability to meet the needs of a large university system like ours. Implementation of a new Student ERP depends largely on the capabilities of the options available within the ERP market and the guidance of Student leadership. With that in mind, our approach to replacing our current Student module will involve thorough, deliberative, and research-based consideration in an effort to find the best possible solution for our wide-ranging needs.

View Our Path Forward

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.