Client Success

An Update from the AMS Advantage Steering Committee Chair

WOW! It’s been a busy few months for the Steering Committee. Last Spring, as your Steering Committee Chairperson, I announced that my focus for the year is communication. As stated earlier, I truly believe the best way to improve the AMS Advantage ERP product and make our jobs easier is through effective communication of our needs, both as individual sites and as a community. I’m excited to share with you what we’ve done so far this year toward this goal.

First, we have more Discussion Groups. New Discussion Groups have been formed for Upgrades, Financial Management, Procurement and Security & Workflow. These new groups join the infoAdvantage, HRM and Recruitment Discussion Groups previously established. The purpose of Discussion Groups is to facilitate peer-to-peer discussion on topics of common interest. To join a Discussion Group, log into the Advantage Support Center site, click on Discussion Gateway, then click on Meeting Calendar. Find the Discussion Group(s) you’re interested in, click on the link and then click Join Group. It’s that easy! Discussion Groups can exist as long as there is interest in the topic. If you have ideas for other Discussion Groups, please share your ideas with me (lori.mcclannahan@iowa.gov).

The Steering Committee is also working to improve processes related to Enhancement Requests. Goals of this project are to obtain feedback from more clients, and obtain better input throughout the entire Enhancement Request process – from submission through design. Also, the new process seeks to find ways to get a bigger bang for our buck when it comes to enhancements selected by the Steering Committee. Of course, we can’t do it on our own and we’re very thankful and excited that we’re able to work hand-in-hand with CGI staff to make it happen. But, success ultimately rests in the engagement and participation of us, the users. Watch for more details as the process gets more clearly defined!

As you have heard, the Forum will be coming back as an in-person event in October 2012. The Steering Committee is working with CGI staff to determine sessions for the 2012 Forum. If you have ideas for topics you would like to have presented, again, please share with me. I’d love to hear your ideas for making this next Forum the most valuable event ever. Stay tuned for news from CGI on the exact date and location of the event.

I also want to take this opportunity to inform you of some member changes to the Steering Committee. In October, Scott Waldman (Oakland Intermediate School District) and Roxanne Hoover (Baltimore County Public Schools) resigned their positions on the Steering Committee. Karlin Rossi from Oakland was appointed to finish out the remaining 14 months of Scott’s term. With 26 months left remaining on Roxanne’s term, the decision was made to include the seat in the upcoming election. Thanks to Scott and Roxanne for your time and contributions to better the Advantage product. Thanks also to Bob Davis (Los Angeles County), who volunteered to step in to serve as Vice Chair for the remainder of 2011. And, welcome, Karlin!

One last thing that I want to mention is that nominations are currently open for several seats on the Steering Committee. I want to encourage you to throw your name in the hat and run. Serving on the Steering Committee is a rewarding experience and one I believe will not only benefit you, but also your site. Among other things, you have the opportunity to influence enhancements for releases, determine Forum sessions, work directly with your peers and with CGI staff. It’s a wonderful experience and we’d love to have the opportunity to serve with you!

Have a wonderful holiday season and a warm winter!