What is Capstone Convergence?
Capstone Convergence is a multiyear initiative to modernize The University of Alabama’s core administrative systems and better support the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. This transformation focuses on Human Resources, Finance and Research Administration, along with the data, security and integration capabilities that connect them.
By replacing long‑standing legacy systems with modern, cloud‑based platforms like Workday and CORE, Capstone Convergence is designed to simplify processes, improve access to reliable information and create a more connected and efficient experience for faculty and staff across campus.
Workday: A Unified System for HR and Finance
In early 2028, Workday will be UA’s new system for Human Resources and Finance, brining these functions together in a single, integrated platform that replaces similar functionality in Ellucian Banner.
Selected through a comprehensive evaluation process led by University leadership and campus partners, Workday was chosen for its ability to improve data quality, automate routine tasks, enhance security and support continuous improvement through regular updates and modern features.
With Workday, faculty and staff can expect:
- More consistent and streamlined HR and finance processes
- Real‑time access to information for better decision‑making
- A modern, user‑friendly experience for everyday tasks
Timeline: Workday will be available for UA employees starting February 2028. Training will begin November 2027.
CORE (Collaborative Operations & Research Ecosystem): Supporting the Research Lifecycle
To support UA’s growing research enterprise, Capstone Convergence includes the implementation of Collaborative Operations & Research Ecosystem (CORE), a comprehensive set of tools designed to simplify research administration and strengthen compliance.
CORE will centralize and modernize key research processes, reducing administrative burden and improving visibility across the full research lifecycle.
Modules include:
- Grants and awards management
- Conflict of interest (COI) disclosures for researchers
- Effort certification
- IRB and IACUC review
- Sponsored contracts
- Research analytics and reporting
By bringing these functions into a single, connected platform, CORE helps researchers and staff spend less time navigating systems and more time advancing UA’s research mission.
Timeline: The first modules, IRB and COI will be available in early 2027.
Other Capstone Convergence Initiatives
Data, Analytics and Reporting
A modern enterprise system requires strong data and reporting capabilities. Capstone Convergence includes the development of an enterprise data and analytics strategy to support both current and future decision‑making needs.
This strategy focuses on:
- Consolidating data across systems
- Improving accuracy and accessibility
- Enabling real‑time insights through dashboards and reporting
Together, these enhancements will support informed decision‑making, improve operational efficiency and create a foundation for future innovation across the University.
Identity Management Upgrade
Capstone Convergence includes an upgrade to identity and access management (IAM) to support secure, efficient campus operations. The new solution automates user access throughout the system lifecycle, reduces manual work and strengthens security and compliance using modern standards such as Zero Trust and NIST 800.
Integration Platform
Capstone Convergence also includes an enterprise integration platform to enable real‑time data sharing and reduce system silos. This platform simplifies integrations, lowers operational risk and long‑term costs and allows UA to connect future technologies without disrupting core systems.