The implementation of California’s new Financial Information System, FI$CAL, is experiencing major delays that have pushed back the projected final stage of launch over a year and has already gone $237 million dollars over budget. While originally budgeted at $616 million, the Oracle ERP system is projected to save the state up to $415 million per year. Although state auditor Elaine Howle has been critical in the management of the project, there is no denying that the implementation must be done properly for effective use. The system will be the integral financial tool used throughout the state and therefore state employees working in the system will also need to be well trained in the use of the system. Though I am not denying the right of Howle to question Accenture’s timeline and timeliness, the annual savings of the new system must be kept in mind through the process. Moving forward, it is clear that transparency and the cohesion of contractors and state employees must be improved upon.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article124839264.html