Glossary

Core Systems & Platforms

Expand All
  • ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
    ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is an enterprise resource planning system is software used to manage an organization’s key business processes and workflows such as finance/accounting, procurement, asset management, and human resource functions. Workday is the ERP system that has been implemented for Finance, Human Resources, and Payroll at Richmond. For these areas, Workday replaced Banner in January 2025. 

     

  • SIS (Student Information System)
    SIS (Student Information System) in higher education refers to a digital framework that enables institutions to manage student data as well as the functionalities related to each student’s academic journey, such as course registration, grades and progress toward degree, billing, and academic records. The University currently utilizes Banner as its SIS and will continue to do. There are no plans at this time to explore other SIS solutions. 
  • Workday
    Workday is a leading cloud-based platform for Financial and Human Capital Management. Workday is designed to meet the unique needs of institutions of higher education. Many other institutions, both large and small, have implemented Workday with much success. To learn more about the University’s decision to move to Workday, please see the About Workday page. 
  • Banner

Financial Terms & Roles

Expand All
  • FDM (Foundation Data Model)
    FDM (Foundation Data Model) is how Workday organizes financial information.  Workday has a robust classification system for transactions that allows for excellent financial, operational, and external reporting (similar to FOAPAL and Chart of Accounts formerly used in Banner). 

     

  • Cost Center
    Cost Center is a number and/or description representing the financial account that funds are charged to and/or sourced from. 
  • Cost Center Manager
    Cost Center Manager is role in Workday for those serving at UR as Budget Manager. 
  • Procurement Specialist Level 1
    Procurement Specialist Level 1 is a role in Workday held by the department PCard holder who buys most things. 
  • Procurement Specialist Level 2
    Procurement Specialist Level 2 is a role in Workday for a specialized departmental buyer or colleague in Procurement. 

HR, Payroll, & Time Tracking

Expand All
  • HCM (Human Capital Management)
    HCM (Human Capital Management) is another way of describing Human Resources. Workday uses HCM when referring to human resource functions. At UR, we continue to refer to our unit as the Office of Human Resources or "HR." 

     

  • Supervisory Organization
    Supervisory Organization is the Workday reporting structure for departments, how individuals report to one another. 
  • Manager
    Manager in Workday is someone who has direct reports – it is not a position title. Managers have security group that provides information about their direct or indirect reports, have access to “Team” applications and dashboards, and can take certain actions. They cannot see personal information for employees (e.g. home contact information, social security numbers etc.) 
  • Check In / Check Out
    Check In/Check Out is Workday’s clock in and clock out function.
  • Absence
    Absence is a Workday term that refers to any time an employee is away from work. Currently our campus utilizes the term “leave.” Absence can refer to any type of employee time off such as vacation, sick time, bereavement, etc.  
  • Payslips
    Payslips are formally known in Banner as paystubs.

Process & Permissions

Expand All
  • Business Process
    Business Process is sequence of steps to complete an activity which may route to others for review or approval. 
  • Security Groups
    Security Groups are sets of roles and permissions that control what users can see and do in Workday. 

Change & Transition Support

Expand All
  • Change Management
    Change Management is a structured approach focused on the people side of change. It supports individuals and teams as they transition from their current state to a desired future state by providing the preparation, support, and skills needed to succeed.