February 19, 2009: OAKS CI Wave 4 went live
The OAKS CI team deployed six additional business processes Feb. 2, collectively called Wave 4. This deployment supports activities typically performed prior to or during the contracting phase of a construction project.
Wave 4 contained four business processes associated with acquiring construction contractors. The bid planning calendar business process supports project managers and other team members in the planning of bid openings by allowing them to view any conflicts with other planned bid openings throughout the state and to run reports on all upcoming bid openings. The advertisement business process tracks the status of public improvement legal advertisements for competitive bidding by recording the publication source and dates as well as allowing the attachment of scanned copies of the legal advertisement and proof of publication. In addition, OAKS CI released the contract business process for acquiring a contractor and the contract schedule of values which begins the process for billing and payments.
The two additional business processes in Wave 4 included miscellaneous commitments and miscellaneous invoices. The miscellaneous commitments business process provides a means to record miscellaneous project-related commitments including permits, printing, fixed furniture and equipment, percent for art and other commitments not recorded as a part of agreements, amendments, contracts and change orders. The miscellaneous invoices business process provides a means to record miscellaneous expenditures to pay invoices related to miscellaneous commitments.
Wave 4 is the fourth of six releases planned for OAKS CI with full functionality expected at the end of April.
For more information about OAKS CI, go to http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov or contact either Steve Mayo at 614.728.4310 or Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830.
December 8, 2008: OAKS CI Wave 3 scheduled to go live Dec. 12
The OAKS Capital Improvements (OAKS CI) team has scheduled Dec. 12 for the deployment of 11 additional business processes, collectively called Wave 3. This deployment will support activities typically performed prior to or during the design phase. With the addition of the Wave 3 business processes OAKS CI can now support all activities associated with concept development, professional services acquisition and design.
This release contains five business processes associated with managing project funds. The fund allocation, fund release and fund transfer business processes provide for identifying funding sources available to the project. The purchase orders and vouchers business processes track the encumbrance and payment of funds to the project team. A project fund sheet is maintained by OAKS CI to provide current view of all project funding.
All project-related purchase orders and vouchers are still created and processed in OAKS Financials (OAKS FIN). However, OAKS CI will provide integration into OAKS FIN so that contracts and payment requests initiated in OAKS CI can be transmitted to OAKS FIN for processing without reentry of data.
This release also adds three business processes related to the professional services providers on the project. The professional services agreements and professional services amendments business processes provide for the creation, review and approval of agreements and amendments. Information entered in these two business processes is used to set up the professional services pay request, which provides for timely submission and processing of pay requests.
Memo of understanding, SAO billings and sub/supplier declaration are the remaining business processes available in this release. Wave 3 is the third of six releases planned for OAKS CI with full functionality expected at the end of April 2009.
For more information about OAKS CI, go to http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov or contact either Steve Mayo at 614.728.4310 or Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830.
November 5, 2008: Roll-out schedule for remaining OAKS CI business processes announced
The OAKS Capital Improvements (OAKS CI) team has implemented 21 of their 61 business processes. These business processes are now being piloted in two projects at the State Architect’s Office, one project at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and another at Kent State University. Of the 21 processes that have been released, 17 are in use and the other four are available but not currently being used on pilot projects.
The OAKS CI team will release the remaining 40 business processes into the production environment over the next six months. To facilitate testing, configuration and delivery of training, the release has been divided into five waves, each containing eight to 12 business processes. The first of these, Wave 2, includes four new business processes and updates to six existing business processes that were placed into production on Oct. 24. The remaining four waves will be implemented every six to eight weeks, with each wave implementing approximately 10 business processes. Waves will introduce functionality in the chronological sequence of a construction project and broaden the operation of OAKS CI.
Below is a brief description of each wave with key business processes and their anticipated rollout date:
- Wave 2 (already in production) supports the acquisition of professional services (Architect/Engineers, construction managers and consultants) through the completion of the selection process. Key business processes include Local Administration Authorization Request, Professional Services Acquisition and Program of Requirements.
- Wave 3 will support activities included in the design phase. Key business processes include Professional Services Agreements, Professional Services Amendments and Professional Services Pay Requests. The anticipated rollout date for Wave 3 is Dec. 5.
- Wave 4 will support activities included in the contractor acquisition phase. Key business processes include Advertisements, Contractor Acquisition and Contractor Schedule of Values. The anticipated rollout date for Wave 4 is Jan. 30.
- Wave 5 will support activities included during the construction phase. Key business processes include Change Orders, Contractor Pay Requests and Escrow Accounts. The anticipated rollout date for Wave 5 is March 27.
- Wave 6 will support activities included in the closeout/warranty phase. Key business processes include Punch Lists, Warranties, Contractor Closeout and Professional Services Closeout. The anticipated rollout date for Wave 6 is April 25.
For more information about OAKS CI, go to http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov or contact either Steve Mayo at 614.728.4310 or Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830.
September 10, 2008: OAKS CI begins Phase 2 user acceptance test
The OAKS Capital Improvements (OAKS CI) core team has initiated user acceptance testing of the final 42 business processes collectively known as Phase 2. The core team is conducting testing with some assistance from subject-matter experts who participated in design and the DAS OAKS help desk staff.
Phase 2 user acceptance testing will demonstrate that various common work activities can be successfully conducted using OAKS CI as a tool in the process. Testing looks beyond the OAKS CI application to ensure help files and operating procedures are complete, documents created by OAKS CI are accurate and permissions and security are properly configured.
Phase 2 of OAKS CI will automate many of the financial processes associated with capital improvements projects including acquisition of architects, engineers, construction managers and contractors. It also includes the creation of agreements, amendments, contracts and change orders and processing of payment requests. In addition, Phase 2 provides tracking of project budgets and funding including the ability to track split funding by state universities using local and state money.
User acceptance testing for Phase 2 is expected to take three to five months. For more information about OAKS CI, go to http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov or contact Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830.
July 9, 2008: OAKS CI team launches two additional pilot projects
Kent State University and Columbus State Community College are the sites of the two most recent OAKS Capital Improvements (OAKS CI) pilots.
The project team for the library emergency stone repairs project at Kent State University will be using the project communication business processes to facilitate and track communications between the Kent State project representatives, the project’s architect and the contractor. This pilot project is expected to be completed this summer and will provide useful feedback on the benefits and usability of the OAKS CI application, support and training.
The project team for the Delaware Hall renovation project at Columbus State Community College also will utilize the OAKS CI project communication business processes. This project is led by SAO Deputy State Architect Ned Thiell and involves a project manager, project coordinator, an architect and five contractors.
The project communication business processes consist of action items, meeting minutes, schedule updates, submittals, transmittals, field reports and requests for interpretation. In addition, the project teams will make use of the OAKS CI document manager to share documents and the OAKS CI “uMail” facility, which attaches electronic mail exchanged within the project team to the project records. Collectively these processes document much of the day-to-day, non-fiscal related communication between contractors, the architect/engineer and the contracting authority. Automated workflow guides the process and documents the results in the project record. OAKS CI provides useful search and reporting capabilities to facilitate timely retrieval of information.
The addition of these two pilots brings the total number of OAKS CI pilot projects to four involving nearly 50 end users. OAKS CI will continue to add additional pilots of the design review and project communication business processes in the near future.
June 13, 2008: OAKS CI team launches design review pilots
The OAKS Capital Improvements (OAKS CI) team is pleased to announce that two pilots of the design review business process have been launched representing the first projects to go live in the OAKS CI production environment. The Ohio Department of Transportation Clinton County maintenance facility project became the first project to go live in early April. Ten project team members attended a half-day training session prior to the project kick-off. The expected completion date of this pilot project, administered by the State Architect’s Office, is early summer. SAO Project Manager Bruce Ratekin said, “I am pleased to be one of the first users of OAKS CI. The ability to distribute, share and organize files electronically will be of great benefit to our project.”
The Ohio Department of Mental Health initiated the second design review pilot on an HVAC system improvement project at their Athens facility. This locally administered project, led by Robin Cox from the Ohio Department of Mental Health, also is expected to be completed this summer.
The design review business process provides for electronic submission, review and approval of the program verification, schematic design, design development and construction documents. Using this process, the Architect/Engineer submits drawings and specifications electronically. The project manager coordinates review of the submittal using a “discussion group.” Automated workflow guides the process and documents the results in the project record.
OAKS CI will continue to add additional pilot projects to test the design review and project communication business processes. For more information about OAKS CI, go to http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov.
April 1, 2008: RFQ notifications update
In November 2007, the OAKS Capital Improvements team announced the new request for qualifications (RFQ) process and subscription service to receive e-mail notifications when an RFQ is posted to the site. Over the last few months, the team has noticed several bounced e-mail notifications. Notifications are sent as a bulk e-mail which may be interrupted by your company's spam blocker.
If you signed up for notifications but are not receiving them, please contact your company's IT department for more information to allow these notifications. Also, please continue to check the OAKS Capital Improvements Web site at http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov regularly so that you are not missing new RFQs or important updates and/or deadline changes to the RFQs.
February 15, 2008: OAKS CI completes phase one user acceptance test
The OAKS Capital Improvements (OAKS CI) team is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Phase 1 user acceptance test. At this time, all critical defects have been addressed by Skire, Inc., the contractor for the project. As a result the OAKS CI team and the application is ready to deploy.
Phase 1 provides four functional components that do not require integration into the OAKS financial module or involve the cost or funding tables. These four components are project initiation, design review, project communication and evaluations.
The “project initiation” business processes consist of the local administration authorization request, the request for qualifications and the bid planning calendar. These business processes provide for electronic routing of documents while fully adhering to the existing work processes. Automated workflow guides the process and documents the results in the project record.
The “design review” business processes provide for electronic submission, review and approval of program verification, schematic design, design development and construction documents. Using this process, the architect/engineer (A/E) submits drawings and specifications electronically. The project manager coordinates review of the submittal using a “discussion group.” Automated workflow guides the process and documents the results in the project record.
The “project communication” business processes consist of action items, meeting minutes, schedule updates, submittals, transmittals, field reports and requests for interpretation. Collectively these processes document much of the day-to-day, non-fiscal related communication between contractors, the A/E and the contracting authority. In addition, automated workflow guides the process and documents the results in the project record. OAKS CI provides useful search and reporting capabilities to facilitate timely retrieval of this data.
The “evaluation” business processes consist of the contractor evaluation and the A/E evaluation. These business processes provide an electronic version of the existing SAO evaluation forms, which are supported by automated workflow to guide the process and document the results in the project record. Reports provide the ability to retrieve data for a given vendor from across all projects maintained in the system.
The OAKS CI team will pilot these four functional components on a limited basis prior to general implementation. The OAKS CI team will begin initiating pilot implementation activities shortly.
January 11, 2008: OAKS Capital Improvements Update
OAKS Capital Improvements (CI) will begin rolling out Phase 1 functionality starting in early February. Phase 1 is comprised of 21 business processes that are grouped into four functional components: project initiation, design services review and acceptance, project communication and vendor evaluations.
Project initiation is the first component scheduled for roll out. This component includes local administration requests, the RFQ process and bid planning. The local administration request will initially roll out to those state agencies involved in construction that are required by statute to request approval to administer their projects. Colleges and universities will follow at a later date. Training for the staff involved will take place prior to roll out. At about the same time, project communication, which includes action items, meeting minutes, schedule updates, submittals, transmittals, field reports and requests for interpretation, as well as vendor evaluations will be implemented on a few projects managed by individuals who have served as subject matter experts (SMEs) on the OAKS CI project and are therefore already familiar with the software.
Since SMEs will be involved at this time, the training and support requirements for these two functional components will be manageable; however, training for the project teams involved will take place prior to rollout for each component. Design review and acceptance will be rolled out after project communications and vendor evaluations in much the same manner. Each of these functional components will be evaluated along with their associated help files. Training and further roll-out will take place first within the OAKS CI partner universities and agencies, and then to other agencies and colleges and universities after they been trained and determined to be ready.
The OAKS CI project team believes that the incremental roll-out described above will allow for an orderly implementation that will allow fine tuning of the software, the training and the help files associated with each business process.
The OAKS CI Web-based project management system will be available to all state agencies and state-supported colleges and universities as well as SAO. It is estimated that, when fully implemented in mid-2008, this system will save the state approximately $2.4 million annually. For more information about OAKS CI, contact SAO Fiscal Officer Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830 or fred.holcomb@das.state.oh.us.
January 11, 2008: State to require SF330 form in March
Beginning March 1, 2008, firms responding to all State of Ohio Requests for Qualifications must submit the Federal Standard Form 330 (SF330) no later than the response deadline indicated on the announcement.
The SF330 form, used to obtain information from architect-engineer firms about their professional qualifications, will officially replace both the ADM-0255 and ADM-0254 form. After March 1, the ADM-0255 and ADM-0254 forms will no longer be accepted.
SAO requests that supplemental material not be submitted with the SF330 form. The use of a computerized or SF330 form is preferred. Facsimile copies will not be accepted. Please place the appropriate project number in the space provided on the form. Due to limited storage space, we request that your submittals be stapled and refrain from submitting three-ring binders, spiral binders and booklets.
To access the Ohio version of the SF330 form online, go to the SAO Web site at http://www.ohio.gov/sao (click on “Forms/Documents”).
December 12, 2007: OAKS Capital Improvements Web site reminders
In November, the OAKS Capital Improvements (CI) team began posting Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) to the OAKS CI Web site at http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov. Previously, the RFQs were posted on the SAO Web site in a document called the Ohio Register. The RFQs posted to this site include RFQs for projects administered by the State Architect’s Office and locally administered projects. These RFQs are posted to the site on an ongoing basis throughout the month.
In addition, SAO moved the construction bid information to the OAKS Capital Improvements Web site under a page titled “Public Bid Advertisements.” Currently, this page lists SAO-administered projects only. To view construction bid information for other agencies or higher education institutions, go to the construction bid database site at http://apps.das.ohio.gov/ConstructionBids/construction.asp.
OAKS CI will replace SAO’s current software system and is the fifth module of OAKS. OAKS stands for Ohio Administrative Knowledge System, a statewide Enterprise Resource Planning application. When fully implemented, the CI module will house all of the data on each construction project, providing access for members of each project team to drawings, meeting minutes, requests for information and change orders as well as contract documents, payments requests and EDGE information. Documents will process through the system for approval via electronic workflow, which will allow the members of the project team to track the status of each document.
December 12, 2007: OAKS Capital Improvements e-mail notifications
Those wishing to subscribe to receive e-mail notifications when a Request for Qualification (RFQ) and/or SAO construction bid is posted to the OAKS Capital Improvements site may do so by going to the OAKS Capital Improvements Web site at http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov and clicking on “Register for RFQ Notifications” and/or “Register for Construction Bid Notifications.”
Subscribing to these lists is voluntary and users may unsubscribe at any time. Please note: Notifications are sent as a "bulk e-mail" which may be interrupted by your company's spam blocker. If you signed up for notifications but are not receiving them, please contact your company's IT department for more information. Also, a few subscribers are having difficulty accessing the link to the OAKS Capital Improvements Web site from their e-mail notification message. These folks may need to copy and paste the address into their Web browser or bookmark the site. We apologize for this inconvenience and are researching ways to ensure the notifications work efficiently for everyone.
December 12, 2007: December RFQs and Ohio Register archive
At the end of each month, all RFQs that are published during that month are compiled into one "Ohio Register" document using the next issue number. For example, all RFQs published in December 2007 will be archived after the last day of December as "Ohio Register #172." RFQs will continue to be accessible individually on the “Current RFQs” page of the OAKS Capital Improvements Web site at http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov until the response deadline. The archived Ohio Register documents also are available via this site under the title of “Archived RFQs.” For more information or questions about this process, please contact Angie Carder at 614.752.0448 or at angie.carder@das.state.oh.us.
November 6, 2007: Construction bid notifications now available
The State Architect’s Office now offers electronic e-mail notifications about new construction bids and addenda for SAO-administered projects. All construction bidding information for the State Architect’s Office is now posted to the new OAKS Capital Improvements (CI) Web site at http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov.
To sign up for notifications, go to the CI Web site and click on "Register for Construction Bid Notifications" and enter your first name, last name and e-mail address. Once a bid has been added or updated on the site, you will be sent an e-mail notification. Subscribing to this list is voluntary and you may unsubscribe at any time. Please note: This notification process will eventually be replaced by a better system through the new CI module sometime in 2008. At that time, you may need to re-enter your data.
February 15, 2008: SF330 form reminder and update
Reminder: State agencies or institutions with projects advertised for professional design services on or after March 1 will require firms to respond using the State of Ohio version of the Federal Standard Form 330 (SF330) no later than the response deadline indicated on the announcement.
We’ve now included more detailed information in the instruction pages of the Microsoft Word version of the SF330 form that pertains to State of Ohio projects only. Please pay close attention to these instructions since they are somewhat different form the federal version. Note: The Microsoft Word version of the SF330 form is intended to be a totally flexible document to allow for photos, charts and varying lengths of text. It is not intended to resemble the PDF version of the federal form. We hope to have a “fillable” PDF version of the State of Ohio form available on our Web site soon.
Professional design firms are required to provide a copy of Part II of the SF330 form to be considered for state work. Part II of the SF330 should be submitted directly to the State Architect’s Office, 4200 Surface Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228-1395, no later than Oct. 1, 2008. Firms who have previously submitted an ADM-0254 form within the past year do not need to update their qualifications until Oct. 1.
To access the State of Ohio version of the SF330 form online, go to the SAO Web site at http://www.ohio.gov/sao and click on “Forms/Documents.”
The OAKS Capital Improvements (CI) team is proud to announce its new Web site located at http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov. Please visit this Web site to obtain news about the CI project, Requests for Qualifications and other valuable information. Information is updated to this site regularly so please check it often.
The CI module, formerly referred to as CIMS, will replace SAO’s current software system and is the fifth module of OAKS. OAKS stands for Ohio Administrative Knowledge System, a statewide ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) application.
This module is a Web-based project management system that will be available to all state agencies and state supported colleges and universities as well as the State Architect's Office. It is estimated that when fully implemented in mid-2008, this system will save the state approximately $2.4 million annually.
The CI module will house all of the data on each construction project, providing access for members of each project team to drawings, meeting minutes, requests for information and change orders as well as contract documents, payments requests and EDGE information. Documents will process through the system for approval via electronic workflow, which will allow the members of the project team to track the status of each document.
November 1, 2007: New RFQ Process Begins
SAO has begun publishing Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) on an individual, ongoing basis, with varying deadlines for submissions rather than just once a month as we had done previously. Agencies and institutions of higher education will publish RFQs as-needed using their own project-specific deadline for responses.
RFQs are now posted to the OAKS Capital Improvements (CI) Web site at http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov. RFQs are listed in the order of when responses are due. At the end of each month, RFQs will be compiled into an "Ohio Register" document using the next issue number. For example, all RFQs published in November 2007 will be archived as "Ohio Register #171." The archived RFQs are accessible from the above Web site. In addition, the short list report is now published on this site.
Those wishing to subscribe to receive e-mail notifications of when an RFQ is posted to the site may do so by clicking the “Register for RFQ Notifications” link on the RFQ Web page or from the CI home page. Please note: Subscribing to this list is voluntary and you may unsubscribe at any time.
October 9, 2007: New RFQ process begins in November
Beginning in November, the Ohio Register will no longer be a monthly publication. Instead, Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) will be published on an individual, ongoing basis, with varying deadlines for submissions. Interested parties will still access the Ohio Register online from the SAO Web site at www.ohio.gov/sao (then click on “Ohio Register”).
This change to the RFQ process is a precursor to additional enhancements that will be made as a result of the new Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS). CIMS is a Web-based project management system that will be available to all state agencies and state-supported colleges and universities as well as SAO. It is estimated that, when fully implemented in mid-2008, this system will save the state approximately $2.4 million annually.
For more information about the Ohio Register and the new RFQ process, please contact Ohio Register Editor Angie Carder at 614.752.0448 or e-mail her at angie.carder@das.state.oh.us.
August 9, 2007: CIMS update
The first Capital Improvements Module System (CIMS) Business Owners Advisory Group (BOAG) meeting was held July 31. This group is comprised of representatives from each of the partner agencies and stake holders and serves as an advisory group to CIMS and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. Discussions centered on CIMS roll-out planning, support planning, change management and security. BOAG members will meet every four to eight weeks as determined by the group.
CIMS is a Web-based project management system that will be available to all state agencies and state supported colleges and universities as well as SAO. It is estimated that, when fully implemented in mid-2008, this system will save the state approximately $2.4 million annually. For more information about CIMS, contact SAO Fiscal Officer Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830 or fred.holcomb@das.state.oh.us.
July 6, 2007: CIMS update
Core team members and subject matter experts for the Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS) received three days of training by representatives from Skire, Inc. on their UniferTM software the week of June 11. In addition, Skire representatives, core team members and subject matter experts participated in sessions the week of June 25 to confirm design documents of the business processes that have been completed to date.
Requirements affirmation sessions will take place this month. The CIMS team will discuss a new group of business processes in each of these sessions which will result in design documents for the team to review and approve.
CIMS is a Web-based project management system that will be available to all state agencies and state supported colleges and universities as well as SAO. It is estimated that, when fully implemented in mid-2008, this system will save the state approximately $2.4 million annually. For more information about CIMS, contact SAO Fiscal Officer Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830 or fred.holcomb@das.state.oh.us.
June 12, 2007: CIMS update
Requirements affirmation sessions for the Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS) continue to be held with members from Skire, Inc., core team members and subject matter experts. Sessions also are being held to confirm the design documents of business processes that Skire has completed. It has been determined that CIMS will be delivered in two phases. A final decision has not yet been made as to which business processes will be delivered in the first phase.
Members of the Skire project team will provide hands-on training to core team members and subject matter experts on the Unifer software during the week of June 11.
May 4, 2007: CIMS update
The Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS) project team began kick-off meetings last month with Skire, Inc., the contractor for the project. State agency and state-supported college/university partners for the project also were in attendance. During these sessions the CIMS project team presented their vision of the project and Skire provided a short demonstration of the current version of their Unifier construction management software to the team. This was followed by high level discussions of the as-is state of current systems and processes, discussing related key functionality and features and beginning planning tasks for the project.
Requirements affirmation sessions will begin this month and will include core team members and subject matter experts from the state agencies and state-supported colleges/universities that are partners with SAO for the project.
Any state agency or state-supported college/university representative interested in being involved with the CIMS project may contact SAO Fiscal Officer Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830 or fred.holcomb@das.state.oh.us.
April 9, 2007: State of Ohio Selects Skire for Statewide Enterprise Agreement
Skire Selected as Strategic Technology Provider for Software to be Utilized by All State Agencies
MENLO PARK, CA, April 9, 2007 – Skire, Inc. (www.skire.com), the leading provider of capital program, integrated workplace, and project portfolio management software, today announced an enterprise agreement with the State of Ohio. The agreement provides the state with a license for widespread usage of Skire’s flagship Unifier™ product across all state-funded and state-administered agencies, including schools and universities. It is the third, and largest, agreement that Skire has signed with a state government recently.
Skire Unifier delivers a standards-based platform that will integrate with the State of Ohio’s existing PeopleSoft ERP system and provide all state agencies with advanced tracking, recording, monitoring, and management capabilities using a Web-based interface. State colleges and universities will also benefit from their ability to access Unifier applications.
“We are delighted that the State of Ohio has chosen the Skire platform and we are looking forward to a close working relationship that will enable the state to meet or exceed its objectives,” said Massy Mehdipour, Skire’s chief executive officer. “It is exciting to work with a team that can envision and execute a huge leap forward in improving capital program efficiency. The State of Ohio represents an extraordinary example of leadership and we are proud to work with the state’s team moving forward.”
The State of Ohio's decision to implement Unifier was based on numerous criteria, including Skire’s extensive customer list that includes many blue-chip corporate customers; federal, state, and local government agencies; and leading educational institutions.
“An agreement of this magnitude is the result of many years of hard work and dedication by the Skire team, and reflects our ability to consistently deliver the most innovative, flexible and intuitive solutions in the marketplace, combined with a strong focus on service delivery and implementation success,” said Mehdipour.
Skire Unifier is a powerful business process automation platform for managing programs, projects, resources, and assets. The platform centralizes comprehensive management capabilities and makes them available to everyone who needs them through a standard Web browser. With robust cost management and project controls capabilities, Skire’s Unifier delivers the best combination of pre-defined workflows, best practices, ease-of-use, and adaptability.
About Skire
Skire, Inc. is the leading provider of capital program, integrated workplace, and project portfolio management software. The company’s flagship Unifier platform leverages the company’s deep industry experience, giving customers unprecedented visibility and control over major programs and projects. Skire’s solutions are used by global Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and educational institutions for managing billions of dollars in capital programs, real estate, and IT portfolios. The company is privately held and headquartered in Menlo Park, California. For more information, visit http://www.skire.com/.
April 2, 2007: CIMS update
The Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS) project team continues to meet with potential state agency and state-supported college/university partners to assist with the implementation of CIMS. Most recently the team held meetings with representatives of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to assist with the implementation of CIMS. Presentations with other potential partners will be held in the near future.
The contractor for the project, Skire, Inc., will be here the week of April 9 to meet with project core team members to begin planning the tasks for the project. Requirements affirmation sessions will begin in May and will include core team members and subject matter experts from state agencies and state-supported colleges/universities that have partnered with SAO for the project.
Any state agency or state-supported college/university representative interested in being involved with the CIMS project may contact SAO Fiscal Officer Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830 or fred.holcomb@das.state.oh.us.
March 5, 2007: Capital Improvements Management System update
The State of Ohio Office of Information Technology has awarded a contract on behalf of the State Architect’s Office for a Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS), which will replace SAO’s current software system and interface with OAKS (Ohio Administrative Knowledge System). The state awarded the CIMS contract to Skire, Inc. on Feb. 23 after releasing an RFP (Request for Proposal) in September 2006.
CIMS is a Web-based project management system that will be available to all state agencies and state supported colleges and universities as well as SAO. It is estimated that, when implemented in mid-2008, this system will save the state approximately $2.4 million annually. The CIMS project team is meeting with potential state agency and state college or university partners to assist with the implementation of CIMS. They met with representatives from The Ohio State University last week and plan to meet with the representatives from the Ohio Department of Mental Health this week. SAO is planning meetings with other potential partners in the near future. Any state agency or state college/university representative interested in being involved with the CIMS project is asked to contact SAO Fiscal Officer Fred Holcomb at 614.466.0830 or fred.holcomb@das.state.oh.us.
November 1, 2006: OAKS releases RFP for capital improvements project
An RFP (Request for Proposal) for the acquisition of a construction management system for the Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS) project was released on Sept. 21 by the Ohio Office of Information Technology Acquisition Management Office on behalf of the State Architect’s Office. This system will replace SAO’s current software system and will be interfaced with OAKS (Ohio Administrative Knowledge System).
OAKS is a statewide system that will replace the state’s current accounting system, human resources system, procurement system and fixed asset system as well as the capital improvements system via the interface with CIMS. When completed, CIMS will be available to all state agencies as well as all state-funded colleges and universities.
CIMS will house all of the data on each construction project, providing access for members of each project team to drawings, meeting minutes, requests for information and change orders as well as contract documents, payments requests, EDGE information and other related documents. Documents will process through the system for approval via workflow, which will allow the members of the project team to track the status of each document.
Stay tuned to “SAO eNews” for additional information about the CIMS project and its release date. For more information about OAKS, go to http://oaks.ohio.gov/.
The project team for the library emergency stone repairs project at Kent State University will be using the project communication business processes to facilitate and track communications between the Kent State project representatives, the project’s architect and the contractor. This pilot project is expected to be completed this summer and will provide useful feedback on the benefits and usability of the OAKS CI application, support and training.
The project team for the Delaware Hall renovation project at Columbus State Community College also will utilize the OAKS CI project communication business processes. This project is led by SAO Deputy State Architect Ned Thiell and involves a project manager, project coordinator, an architect and five contractors.
The project communication business processes consist of action items, meeting minutes, schedule updates, submittals, transmittals, field reports and requests for interpretation. In addition, the project teams will make use of the OAKS CI document manager to share documents and the OAKS CI “uMail” facility, which attaches electronic mail exchanged within the project team to the project records. Collectively these processes document much of the day-to-day, non-fiscal related communication between contractors, the architect/engineer and the contracting authority. Automated workflow guides the process and documents the results in the project record. OAKS CI provides useful search and reporting capabilities to facilitate timely retrieval of information.
The addition of these two pilots brings the total number of OAKS CI pilot projects to four involving nearly 50 end users. OAKS CI will continue to add additional pilots of the design review and project communication business processes in the near future.