Evaluating Kuali Financials for Your Institution - JA- SIG Conference June 2007 Mike Zackrison, rSmart Bob Ricci, rSmart Tony Potts, rSmart

Where we are today How things are changing Kualifier – a new concept

Traditional Roles Identify –Needs –Possible Solutions –Build or Buy Evaluate –Function –Fit Implement Support The Institution

Traditional Roles Development Sales Consulting and Training Technical and Functional Support The Vendor

Traditional Relationships Development Sales Consulting and Training Technical and Functional Support The Vendor Identify –Needs –Possible Solutions –Build or Buy Evaluate –Function –Fit Implement Support Institution

The Changing Paradigm Not dealing with traditional software vendors There is no sales force for Kuali There is no license fee You don’t need to purchase the software to load it You don’t need to rely on vendor responses to RFI’s or RFP’s to understand the product

A New Model? Community Kualifier Commercial Support Organization Resources Identify –Needs –Possible Solutions –Build or ‘Buy’ Evaluate –Function –Fit Implement Support Institution

What is the KUALIFIER? The KUALIFIER is a structured, guided, and supported evaluation of The Kuali Financial System (KFS). The KUALIFIER helps build institutional confidence prior to adoption and organizational readiness prior to implementation.

The KUALIFIER consists of services, tools, and dedicated support designed to overcome the technical and functional complexities that can be challenging to an effective financial system evaluation. What is the KUALIFIER?

Picking a Financial System The situation at Colorado State University (CSU) Traditional evaluation methods employed Non-traditional methods used –Get “hands-on” with rSmart KUALIFIER

rSmart KUALIFER Services Planning call and agendaagenda On-site visit and assessment –KFS Overview and Orientation –KFS Demonstrations: Functional and TechnicalFunctional KFS Assessment and Planning Report

Recommendations

Fit Gap Analysis

Periodic follow-up activities customized to the institution's needs. –Web coaching sessions –Guided test drive –Chart of accounts analysis –Implementation planning –Technical architecture –Other KFS Evaluation Activities

Ongoing Support Ongoing support and maintenance –Access to rSmart Technical and Functional resources to answer questions and provide technical support throughout the evaluation period (six months).

Pre-configured Appliance that’s fully supported –Includes complete open source software stack KFS 1.0 with pre-loaded test / sample data Apache Web Server Tomcat MySQL Linux rSmart KUALIFER Appliance

Deployment Options Flexible deployment options –On-Demand – your virtual appliance is hosted in our tier 1 data center which provides high availability, data backups, server monitoring, security, and much more. OR –On-Premise – IBM x3650 rack- optimized server pre-configured with the full open source software stack. Delivered to your location ready to plug- in and use.

CSU KUALIFIER Experience KUALIFIER Session Follow-up Activities –Chart of Accounts –Batch Feed Process –e-Doc Lite Example

e-Doc Lite Form

A New Paradigm? “…rSmart's Kualifier is a rare opportunity for higher ed institutions to really run a new financial system in their home environment while having a true plug and use experience.” Troy Fluharty Associate Controller Colorado State University

The rSmart Group Website: Contact Info Troy Fluharty