Powers Health

PeopleSoft Innovator

Powers Health Modernizes PeopleSoft to Cut Customizations by 43%, Boost Self-Service, and Build a Search-First Employee Experience

Summary

Powers Health is strategically transforming its PeopleSoft HCM and FSCM systems using modernization initiatives built on PeopleTools 8.62. They have leveraged Windows, PeopleTools, and image upgrades to adopt new capabilities. This includes the 8.62 Landing page, Fluid Paycheck Modeler, Fluid Person Data, Total Rewards, multiple HCM WorkCenters, as well as ePro, Match Exception Collaboration Center, and FSCM WorkCenters. Powers Health enabled SMS through Twilio for improved employee communications and reduced customizations by 43% by embracing delivered functionality.

Customer comments

Powers Health (formerly Community Healthcare System) is a prominent non-profit healthcare system in Northwest Indiana, operating acute care facilities including Community Hospital (Munster), St. Catherine Hospital (East Chicago), St. Mary Medical Center (Hobart), Powers Health Medical Group, and a rehabilitation center Power Health has been using PeopleSoft HCM and FSCM for several years.

In our most ambitious upgrade to date, Powers Health transitioned from a legacy-heavy environment to a "Search-First," agile infrastructure. By upgrading to PeopleTools 8.62 and the FSCM Image 55 and HCM Image 53, we didn’t just update our software—we fundamentally re-engineered our business processes.

Our "Innovation First" strategy resulted in a 43% reduction in total customizations. A massive overhaul of our technical architecture moving from Windows 2019 to Windows 2022, and the deployment of high-value self-service tools that have redefined the employee experience.

  • Accelerating Business Value & Efficiency: We viewed this upgrade as an opportunity to "return to core" functionality, reducing technical debt to drive long-term agility.
  • Radical De-customization: We retired 203 legacy customizations (134 in FSCM and 69 in HCM) opting for Oracle-delivered features. This shift significantly lowers our future support costs and accelerates our "stay current" cadence.
  • Infrastructure Modernization: We deployed 26 new production servers on Windows 2022 and 2 new database servers on the latest hardware infrastructure. This provides the high-performance backbone necessary for real-time data processing.
  • Finance & Procurement Transformation: We introduced several new WorkCenters and completely redesigned the ePro supply ordering workflow, creating a "one-stop shop" for procurement that mirrors a modern consumer shopping experience.
  • Elevating the Employee Experience: Leveraging the latest UI enhancements in PeopleTools 8.62, we delivered a personalized, transparent, and mobile-ready workplace.
  • Intuitive "Search-First" Navigation: We implemented the new Global Search and modern homepages, allowing users to bypass complex menus and quickly find purchase orders, invoices, and contracts based on security access.
  • Financial Wellness Tools: Launching the Paycheck Modeler and Total Rewards visibility, provides employees a 360-degree view of their compensation and the ability to simulate "what-if" scenarios for deductions.
  • Real-Time Connectivity: We introduced text message capabilities for urgent HR, benefits, and payroll updates, ensuring critical information reaches our workforce instantly.
  • Inclusive Self-Service: Deploying a dedicated Veteran Status Page and an Interactive Company Directory with employee photos, fosters a more connected and inclusive culture.
Continuous Innovation & Security
  • The upgrade applied 5,912 bug fixes and the latest security enhancements, which has fortified our system against modern threats and prepared us for the next wave of Oracle features.
  • Strategic Impact: This upgrade moves Powers Health from a reactive maintenance posture to a proactive, innovative footing. We are no longer just "using" PeopleSoft; we are leveraging it as a strategic asset to drive organizational growth and employee satisfaction.
Key Metrics:

The following data points demonstrate the high-performance results of our transition to PeopleTools 8.62 and the latest FSCM/HCM Images.

1.Radical Reduction in Technical Debt

  • Customization Footprint: We successfully retired 43% of our total customizations (203 removed out of 471). This shift to delivered Oracle functionality reduces our future maintenance overhead by an estimated 30% per upgrade cycle.
  • Code Modernization: By upgrading the 177 essential customizations to the latest Fluid standards, we ensured 100% compatibility with mobile and "search-first" navigation.

2.Operational Efficiency & Stability

  • Bug Resolution: We addressed 5,912 delivered bug fixes across FSCM and HCM, resulting in a 25% projected decrease in internal support tickets related to system "glitches" or data inconsistencies.
  • Infrastructure Performance: With the move to 26 new Windows 2022 servers, system latency during peak payroll and procurement cycles has improved by 20 %, providing a snappier, more reliable user experience.

3.User Empowerment & Self-Service

  • Navigation Velocity: The implementation of Global Search for purchase orders, invoices, and contracts reduces "clicks-to-transaction" by over 50%, saving thousands of collective hours in administrative navigation.
  • HR Help Desk Deflection: Since launching the Paycheck Modeler and Total Rewards dashboard, we anticipate a 15-20% reduction in routine "how-to" payroll and benefits inquiries, allowing HR staff to focus on strategic talent initiatives.
  • Communication Reach: Our new SMS/text messaging capability has achieved a 98% open rate for urgent payroll and benefits alerts, compared to the industry-standard of 20% for internal emails.

4.Security & Compliance

Zero-Day Readiness: By moving to Windows 2022 and the latest PeopleTools 8.62.07 patch, we have closed critical security vulnerabilities and aligned our ERP system with the organization's highest cybersecurity standards.