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UCM Plan Enhancement

Improving financial systems efficiencies and data delivery

The university has partnered with Solejar, a premier consultant on Enterprise Performance Management systems, to enhance the campus financial planning and budgeting module (UCM Plan).  This project has been a collaboration between several Division of Finance and Administration teams and OIT. ​​​

This project brings significant updates to improve data management, reporting capabilities, and system efficiency. Key enhancements include:

  • Drill-through Capabilities for Actuals: Enhanced transparency with the ability to drill into detailed actuals data.
  • Improved Functionality and Reduced Touchpoints: Streamlined processes for data retrieval and reporting.
  • Improved Canned Reports: Supplementing SmartView with improved reports, such as Budget vs. Actuals by organization, fund, or project.
  • Encumbrance Tracking: Reducing reliance on shadow systems by introducing encumbrance tracking capabilities.
  • Workforce Cube Implementation: Simplifying personnel cost management, with drill-through capabilities to view detailed DOPE report data.
  • Expanded System Structure: Allowing for future optimization and increased flexibility within the system.

Project Timeline [Updated 12/19/24]

  • September 2024 - DFA staff only (In-person) trainings
  • October 2024 - Campus-User SmartView (In-person) & Specialized (Remote) trainings 
  • November 2024 - late Spring 2025 - Continued trainings
  • Early Spring 2025 - SmartView training videos and additional UCM Plan materials will be available via UC Learning Center (UCLC) 
  • February 2025 - Continued training sessions on specialized topics
  • Late March 2025 - Go-Live: UC Plan Enhancement 

Project Updates

Decoupling of the EPM Projects Cube from Oracle PPM | 12/19/2024

To improve efficiency, enhance data accuracy, and streamline processes based on user feedback:

  • PPM project budgeting will transition entirely to the Oracle PPM module, managed by the PPFM team, at the task and award level (replacing UCM Plan). More details will follow in early Spring 2025.
  • Task-level budget and actual details will no longer be accessible via the EPM Projects Cube (in SmartView).  Instead, this data will remain available through:
    • Standard Oracle Fusion Project Reports (PPM Subledger)
    • New Report(s) currently under development.
  • Project-level budget and actuals will continue to be available via the Financial Reporting (FINR) Cube within UCM Plan (GL-account level) via canned reports and SmartView.

Training

General SmartView Training 

Overview 

This 3-hour training is required for users to be provisioned access to the new UCM Plan environment. The session will walk you through the enhanced SmartView Ad Hoc reporting capabilities and give an overview of some of the forms designed to streamline business processes.  
 
The following are mandatory in order to maximize your training experience:  
  • A laptop with SmartView add-on installed prior to the session (submit installation requests HERE).
  • Review the following videos prior to the training to familiarize yourself with the UCM Plan Enhancement project and get the most out of the SmartView training:

To request access to SmartView training, contact dofa@ucmerced.edu for further assistance.  

Additional Training Sessions

Additional training on specialized topics will be offered Spring 2025. These sessions will be based on current system access roles, and invites will be sent out individually as applicable. Unless noted otherwise, participation in all sessions for which you receive an invitation is required.     

SmartView Installation Information

Windows & Mac Users

Submit a ServiceNow ticket request for consultation and support.

Videos

Reference Resources & Guides

  • Excel and Financial Analysis Enrichment Series (via LinkedIn Learning): click HERE (SSO Required)
    • LinkedIn Learning Intructions: click HERE

Addiitonal resources and guides to be added in Spring 2025.

Contact

Please reach out to dofa@ucmerced.edu with any questions, and a member of the project team will be in touch.