Frequently Asked Questions about ctcLink

When do we Go live?

Under the current deployment schedule, LCC is scheduled to Go Live in February 2020. The state project team and steering committee set the timeline.

What systems will ctcLink replace?

ctcLink is a version of PeopleSoft that is specific to the Washington community and technical colleges. It will replace LCC's current "Legacy" systems commonly referred to as SMS (student and course information), FMS (financial management information), and PPMS (employee information).

 

Will the Legacy system still be available after we Go Live?

Although we will capture all the data from our Legacy systems before we go live, the systems themselves will no longer be accessible as soon as we "flip the switch" for ctcLink.

What are 'Pillars' in ctcLink, and what are they called?

Just like our current Legacy system, ctcLink separates the college's data into three main areas, which PeopleSoft calls 'pillars.'

1. Campus Solutions (CS) contains student and course/program information. It replaces SMS.
2. Human Capital Management (HCM) contains employee information. It replaces PPMS.
3. Finance (FIN) contains financial management information. It replaces FMS.

When will I get trained?

There are several different phases of the project, and people with specialized roles (they know who they are) have extensive training, configuration and testing responsibilities.

Most employees will not begin to receive training until summer 2019 at the earliest. The majority of training will occur in late fall 2019/early winter 2020 assuming our Go Live date stays on track for February 2020.

Who is leading the project at LCC?

Eli Hayes is our designated project manager for ctcLink, but there are several other people involved with project leadership. Learn more on the ctcLink Project Leadership page.

What are the benefits of ctcLink?

ctcLink will change many of the ways we do things at Washington's community and technical colleges. Once implemented, colleges will have a modern suite of online tools and a set of common core business processes. ctcLink benefits include:

System-Wide

• Access to information from anywhere at any time.
• A single source of accurate, real-time data and common reporting tools.
• Standardization of select administrative processes to support effectiveness across the system.
• Ability to respond to changing business requirements.
• A modern, consistent way to manage student records, enrollment reports, grades, class rosters, scheduling information, tuition and financial aid processes, accounting, state/federal reports, and more.

For Students

• A set of common, mobile-friendly tools to handle college business online, at any time.
• A single ID and student record that follows students wherever they go within the Washington community and technical college system.
• 24/7 access to an online student center where students can register for classes; handle financial aid processes; pay tuition and fees; add, drop or swap classes; contact an instructor or advisor; manage personal contact information; view grades, track academic goals and apply for graduation.

For Employees

• Self-service tools to manage personal information and other college business online.
• Consolidated payroll processing and a full suite of online HR tools and services.
• An online, integrated suite of financial tools and the ability to create automated approval workflow processes for purchasing, travel authorizations, expense reimbursements and more.
• A modern, consistent way of managing and sharing state and federal reports; payroll, purchasing and employee records; recruitment tools and benefits administration.

What are the ctcLink Project Guiding Principles?

1. This is an educational service and business process reform project, supported by information technology. This project will provide technological infrastructure upon which educational tools and services of tomorrow will be built.
2. ERP customization at the system and campus level must be minimized and will be considered only as mandated by statutory requirement or a business case that benefits the system as a whole.
3. Systems that replicate information and processes of the ERP should be eliminated. The creation of new systems and updating of formerly existing systems are outside the scope of this project.
4. All options that can reduce overall one-time and recurring costs for the ERP system must be considered.
5. Colleges and the SBCTC will commit the necessary human resources to design, implement and test the system in a timely and efficient manner, with the understanding that it will require the dedication of many of their best "key" staff members.
6. Our project leaders, steering committee members, executive sponsors, and other participants in the ERP project will be chosen wisely and will be empowered to make necessary decisions.
7. Consistent data structures are required.
8. Processes and procedures may not need to be identical on each campus; however, processes and procedures must be sufficiently similar to remain within the common academic and business services framework of the community and technical college system.
9. ERP system implementation will require employees to acquire new software tools and business skills, making it possible for them to work at a different and possibly higher skill level.
10. Communications and awareness will be geared toward a broad range of constituents.