Prerequisites

Configuration is not to be performed lightly. Before you start to think about adding, deleting, or modifying code, ensure that everyone in the organization understands what configuration entails. Your goal should be to modify the system as little as possible, and preferably not at all.

Remember that companies decide to acquire a software package such as Payroll for North America because it is a package. It's a coherent and self-contained system, already designed and delivered. It runs, it works, it satisfies the demands made upon it, and it does this best—and with the least problem and expense—when you work with the package as it exists.

Before you make a list of required modifications to Payroll for North America, perform the following prerequisite activities:

• Understand what configuration may cost—and this includes hidden maintenance expenses that might not be immediately obvious.

• Understand Payroll for North America system capabilities and design from a functional point of view. For what tasks are you trying to use it?

• Use the vanilla Payroll for North America system extensively; both with the PeopleSoft-supplied Demonstration data and with your own realistic test data.

• Revisit your configuration requirements thoroughly.

• Produce a list of your required modifications.

• Review your proposed modifications with PeopleSoft.

• Contact other PeopleSoft customers to discuss configuration issues you may have in common.