As higher education institutions face increasing pressure to modernize their systems, adopting Workday has become a key solution. But implementing such a transformative system requires careful planning, expertise, and a clear path to success.

In this episode, Jeff Miller is joined by TJ Rains from Workday, alongside Houman Immen, Caroline Weir, and Shawn Fournier from ERPA. They discuss how Optima by ERPA provides a streamlined, fixed-cost deployment model for Workday, making it accessible to small and mid-sized institutions. You’ll hear about how Optima accelerates deployment, ensures operational efficiency, and integrates the latest technology for a future-proof solution.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How Optima by ERPA offers a predictable, cost-effective deployment model for Workday
• The benefits of ERPA’s managed services and support throughout the deployment lifecycle
• Why Optima is ideal for institutions looking to modernize and scale their Workday solutions quickly

Things To Listen For:

(00:00) Intro

(03:24) Bringing Workday within reach for higher education institutions

(16:47) Optima by ERPA for streamlined Workday deployment

(22:31) AI-driven delivery and data conversion

(31:21) Optima core package for institutions under 500 employees

(33:47) Optima flex package for larger institutions

(34:49) Value-added services and essential post-go-live support

(41:12) Strengthening Workday adoption through IT modernization

(49:44) Q&A on the future of Workday deployments in higher ed

Resources:

• Connect with the Team:
  • TJ Rains
  • Houman Immen
  • Caroline Weir
  • Shawn Fournier
• Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
• Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com
• Check out ERPA’s Webinars: https://www.erpa.com/webinar/

Change is constant in PeopleSoft, whether it’s new regulations, technology upgrades, or the move toward cloud adoption. When the environment keeps changing, teams need a clear way to manage updates without slowing the business down.

In this episode, Jeff Miller sits down with John Han from Phire, Ganesh Denduluri, and Shawn Fournier from ERPA. They explore the latest advancements in PeopleSoft change management, version control, compliance, and modernization with Phire. You’ll hear insights on the newest features, automatic updates, and key areas where you’ll need to focus on change management and security protocols.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How Phire simplifies PeopleSoft change management with new workflow automation features
• The latest updates to version control and compliance that improve efficiency
• Why certain aspects of PeopleSoft modernization may require tailored security and change management strategies

Things To Listen For:

(00:00) Intro

(03:49) Phire as a change management solution

(04:25) Key challenges in managing PeopleSoft changes

(07:53) Phire’s change tracking and version control

(10:08) Phire streamlines the SDLC lifecycle

(14:23) Phire’s demonstration

(28:01) PeopleSoft modernization and roadmap insights

Resources:

• Connect with the Team:
  • Shawn Fournier
  • John Han
  • Ganesh Denduluri
• Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
• Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com
• Check out ERPA’s Webinars: https://www.erpa.com/webinar/

Don’t let your PeopleSoft environment plateau. Whether you’re on-prem or already in the cloud, the right managed services provider can help you get more from your investment.

Jeff Miller talks with ERPA’s Shawn Fournier and Vishal Kothari about what effective PeopleSoft managed services look like. They explore common challenges such as unpredictable costs, reactive support, and stalled progress, and explain what organizations can do differently to move forward with confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The typical journey most PeopleSoft customers go through
• What to expect (and demand) from your managed services partner
• What other institutions are doing to stabilize, modernize, and improve PeopleSoft

Things to Listen For:

(00:00) Intro

(01:35) ERPA's PeopleSoft expertise
(12:26) Customer journey and challenges
(14:58) Best practices of a PeopleSoft managed services provider
(19:16) Customer success stories

(24:38) Why customers choose ERPA

(27:13) Q&A session

Resources:

• Connect with the Team:
  • Shawn Fournier
  • Vishal Kothari
• Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
• Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com
• Check out ERPA’s Webinars: https://www.erpa.com/webinar/

Security isn’t a one-time fix; it’s a journey.

In this episode, Jeff Miller hosts a session with Greg Wendt from Pathlock and Shawn Fournier from ERPA to explore how organizations can strengthen their PeopleSoft environments through proactive governance, risk management, and compliance strategies.

Together, they discuss the importance of multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, data masking, provisioning automation, and user access governance. You’ll also hear how Pathlock’s Cloud platform integrates with ERPA’s managed services to automate compliance reviews and reduce risk across your enterprise applications.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How Pathlock automates provisioning, certifications, and access reviews
• The role of advanced analytics and continuous monitoring in compliance maturity
• Why true security maturity requires a proactive, integrated approach

Things To Listen For:

(00:00) Intro

(05:04) Who is Pathlock?

(06:41) Security maturity and integration

(07:33) Advanced data security

(16:22) Application access governance

(20:58) Analyzing and reducing risk access

(21:32) Automating secure provisioning

(23:54) Challenges with certifications

(24:59) Monitoring privileged access

(25:20) Defining and managing risks with Pathlock Cloud

(31:32) User access reviews

Resources:

• Connect with the Team:
  • Greg Wendt
  • Shawn Fournier
• Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
• Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com
• Check out ERPA’s Webinars: https://www.erpa.com/webinar/

Higher education teams are gearing up for Workday’s 2025R2 release, and ERPA’s experts are here with the roadmap.

In this episode, Jeff Miller hosts a walkthrough with Lokesh Madnavat, Terri Green, Alex Audet, Sharon Gan, Jonathan Cedeno, and Caroline Weir. They focus on student records, financial aid, and other application updates that impact registrars, advisors, and student success teams.

Through practical demos, the ERPA team shows how to reduce manual work, increase data accuracy, and improve student and staff experience from recruiting and curriculum planning to grading, aid, and billing.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The new 2025R2 Workday features that save the most time right away
• How advisors can resolve issues with the Academic Progress Troubleshooting Console
• How to enable cross-application features for easier navigation

Things To Listen For:

(00:00) Intro

(01:32) Student recruiting and admissions features

(06:59) Curriculum and advising updates

(15:26) Student records enhancements

(25:15) Financial aid improvements

(30:54) Student financial highlights

(38:17) Cross-application services and resources

Resources:

• Connect with the Team:
  • Lokesh Madnavat
  • Terri Green
  • Alex Audet
  • Sharon Gan
  • Jonathan Cedeno
  • Caroline Weir
• Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
• Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com
• Check out ERPA’s Webinars: https://www.erpa.com/webinar/

Workday’s 2025R2 release is here. Are you ready for what’s changing?

In this episode, Jeff Miller hosts a walkthrough with Jon Milkovich, Alex Maidy, Khatherine Gaines, and Rishika Akiti from ERPA. Together, they unpack Workday’s 2025R2 release, highlighting the latest updates across finance, HCM, payroll, absence, time tracking, integrations, analytics, and more.

You’ll hear straightforward explanations of new features, what's automatically available, and where you’ll need to plan for change management or security reviews.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How new features like Intelligent Intake and Workday Assistant enhance automation and user experience
• The latest payroll, time tracking, and absence management updates that streamline processes
• Why certain automations or AI tools may require deeper configuration control

Things To Listen For:

(00:00) Intro

(02:30) Contract to cash features

(04:46) Procure to pay features

(07:32) Record to report features

(10:09) Adaptive planning features

(12:41) Payroll features

(18:08) Time tracking features

(21:05) HCM features

(27:14) Recruiting features

(30:34) Learning features

(33:27) Core compensation features

(37:10) Advanced compensation features

(39:25) Benefits features

(41:09) HCM core features

(44:45) Analytics and reporting features

(46:56) Integration features

Resources:

• Connect with the Team:
  • Jon Milkovich
  • Alex Maidy
  • Khatherine Gaines
  • Rishika Akiti
• Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
• Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com
• Check out ERPA’s Webinars: https://www.erpa.com/webinar/

Open enrollment can be stressful, even for experienced teams. Competing priorities, tight deadlines, and system hiccups often get in the way.

In this episode, Jeff Miller is joined by ERPA consultants Bethany Barno and Tyler Shepherd for a practical walkthrough of the open enrollment process on Workday. They cover how to build a realistic timeline, which configuration steps to focus on, and how careful testing can prevent costly mistakes.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Common Workday configuration and business process issues
• How to assess your project’s level of effort and plan accordingly
• Improving communication and reporting during open enrollment

Things To Listen For:

(00:00) Intro

(03:09) Resources for open enrollment

(06:49) Common pitfalls in open enrollment

(12:17) Best practices for open enrollment

(25:04) How much effort does open enrollment take?

(28:08) The importance of cross-functional testing

Resources:

• Connect with the Team:
  • Bethany Barno
  • Tyler Shepherd
• Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
• Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com
• Check out ERPA’s Webinars: https://www.erpa.com/webinar/

Illinois State University needed a better way to manage enterprise applications while competing for top tech talent. Their existing infrastructure wasn’t keeping up, so they turned to AWS.

In this episode, Todd Smoak, Executive Director of Technology Solutions at ISU, shares how the university navigated cloud migration, tackled performance challenges, and optimized PeopleSoft in AWS. With ERPA as a trusted partner, ISU gained the flexibility and automation needed to keep systems running smoothly—even during peak usage like course registration.Todd explains how ERPA’s hands-on support transformed ISU’s IT strategy, freeing their team to focus on innovation instead of infrastructure maintenance. He also highlights key strategies for maximizing uptime, optimizing PeopleSoft, and creating lasting operational efficiency.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The turning point that led ISU to AWS
• How ERPA helped ISU scale and automate critical processes
• The long-term impact of reliable infrastructure on institutional success

Things To Listen For:
(00:00) About Illinois State University
(01:50) Managing enterprise applications
(05:06) Mainframe migration lessons
(08:38) Performance challenges in cloud
(12:24) Choosing AWS and ERPA
(17:14) Scaling PeopleSoft with AWS
(20:47) Automating environment refreshes
(24:53) ERPA’s role in ISU’s team
(29:10) Optimizing PeopleSoft on AWS

Resources:
Connect with the Guest: Todd Smoak
Connect with Host: Jeff Miller
Connect with ERPA: www.ERPA.com