FAMIS, the work order system Colgate has used for more than 20 years, is aging and out of date. Throughout the past year, a multi-departmental team has been working on the implementation of a more modern alternative. The new system is based on TMA Systems software and will be called GateWorks. It will go live in mid-March of this year.
In a typical year, the Facilities Department processes more than 16,700 work orders. These include service requests, event work orders, preventative maintenance, and project work orders. Work orders are an integral part of many systems on campus, and implementing a new platform is a significant undertaking. Ashley Weaver, facilities work control manager, and Nikki Jenkins, ITS project manager, are heading up a team of more than 20 employees from facilities, ITS, purchasing, and accounting.
“The new system will provide a more robust work order ticketing process,” says Ashley. “Campus partners will have a more transparent view of where their requests are in the process as well as access to cost summaries.” She says that the new system will also provide the Facilities Department with more sophisticated reporting modules that will improve efficiency.
Training opportunities for Colgate employees will be announced in the coming weeks.