THE Department of Finance is now implementing a new enterprise resource planning or ERP software for financial management information system, Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig told the Legislature.
He said the department started using its new financial management information system, Munis, on Oct. 1, 2021.
The previous ERP software, JD Edwards, had to be replaced Atalig said, because it is “severely outdated and no longer supported. For decades, the Commonwealth’s financial management system struggled to keep up with the CNMI’s changing financial management requirements resulting in slow, extensive and oftentimes complicated process.”
Atalig said Finance worked diligently to ensure that the transition from JD Edwards to Munis was implemented with limited to no issues.
However, he added, “it has been over 25 years since such transition previously occurred and our team anticipated that some issues might occur in the coming weeks.”
Atalig also addressed two “areas of concern” that the Legislature raised in regards to the transition.
He said Finance was informed of rumors that had been circulating regarding potential delays of legislative staff payments due to the system changeover.
“To this concern, I wish to inform you that my team is fully prepared to handle the contract processing and payment through the system. The delays being spoken of are not a result of the new system, but due to the change in fiscal year. Contracts cannot be submitted and paid out until the budget is approved. After you finalize the contract with your staff, they will need to enter the contract into the new financial management system (Munis) and then scan the contract into Munis and submit for approval,” Atalig said.
He added that Finance has provided lawmakers and their respective staff training videos, and process documentation on how to do this.
Atalig also responded to the lawmakers’ concerns regarding privacy.
“We have implemented a new security role so that only the legislator and his or her staffer will have access to their individual records. This is a last-minute change, so if you do identify any issues, please report them to us immediately so we can address them,” he said.
According to Atalig, the development of a comprehensive transition to a new financial management system “is a large and multi-faceted effort.”
As such, he said, Finance is “seeking input from users of the system to correct any issues, and to make necessary improvements during these initial stages of implementation.”
He urged legislators to send feedback directly to Finance should they encounter any issues.
David DLG Atalig
