Embedded Files
Overview
COMPAS introduces a modern and intuitive user experience, along with updated workflows designed to streamline daily tasks. This Key Changes page highlights the most important functional and process updates coming with the new COMPAS system and Employee Self-Service (ESS). Organized by topic area, it helps you quickly understand what will work differently and what improvements to expect. Visit this page often—new updates will be added regularly as additional changes are finalized. With these resources, you’ll be ready to navigate COMPAS and ESS with confidence!
General
COMPAS introduces new terminology; for example, what we currently know as Job Class will be called Title or Job Title in COMPAS. Check out the COMPAS Crosswalk for help navigating the new terrain.
COMPAS uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) to validate user connections instead of virtual private networks (VPN). This keeps COMPAS secure, while also making it easier for users to access!
State entity codes (“Org IDs”) are 4 characters instead of 3. Tied to the CORE chart of accounts, they represent a financial structure rather than an organizational structure as they did in CPPS.
Structured formatting of fields like dropdowns and picklists, for example, improves data standardization. As a bonus, it will make inter-entity transfers easier as well, since all entities will use COMPAS fields the same way!
COMPAS makes it easy to attach supporting documentation to transactions. A simple file attachment interface allows you to drag and drop or browse for the files you want to attach. The COMPAS attachments feature will be enabled for most pay- and some human resources-related transactions.
Business and Security roles are introduced. Business roles allow COMPAS to tailor your Home Page to your role, presenting you with easy access to the transactions you perform most often. Security roles determine which transactions and data you can work with.
COMPAS provides a modern and flexible user interface (UI) that is easy to learn to use. Here are just a few of the cool new features we think you’ll like:
Quicklinks that give you one-click access to the transactions, searches, and other tools you use most often.
Widgets that make your work more efficient by providing links to your last 10 transactions, your recent browsing history, and workflow.
Ability to Bookmark your frequently used transactions.
Ability to Favorite picklist values.
Pin searches for easy access on demand.
Ability to tailor search criteria and grid results – COMPAS contains features that let you work the way you like. Watch this video to learn more about how you can personalize the application.
COMPAS provides flexible search options to help you locate data. Wildcard searches and search and select cards are two examples. Explore COMPAS search features here.
COMPAS allows you to work in multiple windows and tabs simultaneously. Right-click the Home icon to open a new window or tab with the same business role. This can be useful if you need to create a transaction while simultaneously looking up information in another part of the application.
COMPAS performs validation checks to ensure the accuracy of entered data and error messaging that guide users through the error correction process. Watch this Validation and Errors video to learn more.
Introduction of automated workflow routing and approvals will improve data accuracy in COMPAS. All transactions in COMPAS will require one level of review and approval. Learn more about changes in the workflow and approval process.
COMPAS allows users to create transactional data through spreadsheet uploads. UPDOCS is a powerful tool that lets authorized users upload structured Excel templates and automatically convert them into system transactions routed for review and approval. UPDOCs will be available for specified transactions with additional UPDOCS templates being introduced as business needs emerge. Check out our UPDOCS page to learn more.
In-Application Support - Get help without leaving COMPAS. This includes:
Online Help. It is context-aware, so when you click the Help icon (question mark), you get information about the page you are currently on.
Advantage Assistant. Provides you with access to video tutorials and screen guidance related to the application page and business role you are using. Available Advantage Assistant resources will grow once COMPAS is live in Production.
See these in-application support resources in action.
Ability to export data – COMPAS supports data export with the click of a button. You can export it to a CSV or spreadsheet file format. Exporting directly from the application may reduce or even eliminate the need to run some reports. Watch this short video on Exporting Data to learn more about this powerful new feature.
And last, but certainly not least, no more green screen!
Human Resources Functions (Position Control and Personnel Administration)
Positions and employees have a new structure in COMPAS. COMPAS associates these records with department and unit instead of the org id as it does in CPPS.
Employees and positions are managed separately in COMPAS. This makes it easier for HR professionals to transfer employees between entities.
HR professionals can future-date some functions, like terminations. This means you can record the change when you know about it, rather than waiting for a specific pay period and missing making the change.
For many functions, drop-down menus are provided; users can choose from a list rather than manually entering a code. This makes data entry easier and also improves data accuracy.
Activity Folders streamlines the process of entering, viewing, and maintaining related information by gathering all necessary pages into one central location. This makes it easier for users to complete their work and reduces the amount of data entry required. Available activity folders for human resources functions include position management and employee profile management.
Online inquiries allow users to view detailed, read-only information about positions and employees, such as identifying gaps in position coverage or verifying employment status. You know what they say… information is power!
Pay Management (Checks and Deductions)
Payroll professionals can future-date some pay transactions, like benefit implementation or pay increases, which can prevent back payments or pay adjustments from taking place.
Increased automation within COMPAS increases accuracy when it comes to different deductions and benefits, which reduces the need for manual calculations and data entry.
Pay functions automatically connect with a pay cycle to sync up transaction requests.
Enforcement of pay codes will improve accuracy. Monthly pay codes will only be allowed for monthly-paid employees, while biweekly pay codes will only be allowed for employees on a biweekly pay schedule. This will prevent incorrect codes from being used with the incorrect employee type.
COMPAS payroll calculations will be different and more accurate than they were in CPPS. Here are some ways in which the calculations are changing:
COMPAS uses time in hours and minutes to calculate pay rather than decimals.
Internal payroll calculations use up to six decimal places (but typically four).
COMPAS calculates tax on all checks, regardless of amount. CPPS does not calculate tax on adjustment checks below a certain threshold.
Activity Folders provide a centralized location in COMPAS for payroll-related records and functions. They group related pages and tasks to streamline payroll processing, reduce navigation time, and ensure users have quick access to the data and tools they need. Available activity folders for paycheck functions include deduction management, paycheck management, and payroll check status inquiry.
Online inquiries allow users to view detailed, read-only information about paychecks, deductions, taxes, and payroll transactions. These tools are particularly helpful when researching paycheck accuracy, validating processed payroll data, or performing historical reviews and audits. You know what they say… information is power!
Fiscal year-end processes will change. State entities will have increased flexibility to customize ATB raises, for example. Documentation of changes will be provided before go-live to reflect the process alignment and partnership with Central Payroll, CORE Operations, and branch Human Resources leaders.
Support for payroll-related questions will be routed through the CORE help desk rather than directly through Central Payroll or OIT after COMPAS goes live.
Reporting
COMPAS reporting provides near real-time access to data when you need it. No more waiting for data to be updated via overnight batch cycles.
Interactive filters allow you to customize data to the way you want to see it.
Drill-down features allow you to dig into specific aspects of the data.
Ability to export data to external spreadsheets for deeper analysis, pivoting, and additional visualization.
Secure data access that is tailored to your role, ensuring data privacy and integrity.
Home Page Analytics are interactive dashboards designed to support the information needs of users in a particular business role. They provide capabilities such as data visualizations, interactive slicers, and filtering that give users deeper insights into COMPAS data.
Users can customize configurable inquiries and share them with other users.
Easier to configure reporting allows more flexibility in report design.
Time and Leave
Information will flow between COMPAS and UKG to add a level of accuracy from the source data. Time and labor data will be ingested through one transaction so interfaced (UKG) and non-interfaced entities can interact with the data in similar ways.
Automated interface data from UKG will ensure payroll deadlines are met.
The KDIM screen will be replaced by the Additional Attributes Small (AATS) screen in COMPAS.
Labor Allocation
Labor Distribution Profiles (LDPRs) will be used instead of accounting templates. This change increases flexibility, decreases the time required to allocate costs, and improves the accuracy of labor allocation.
Pay Rates in COMPAS will be annualized based on 173.33 hours. This change may affect many processes, including Leave Without Pay (LWOP) and other calculations.
Employee Self Service
The new Employee Self-Service (ESS) module allows users to manage more personal information. Users can:
View and print paycheck information
Update personal information
Document COWINS information sharing preferences
Maintain emergency contact information
Update direct deposit information
Create federal and state tax enrollments
Opt-in to receive digital, rather than physical, W2s
ESS provides a modern and intuitive user interface (UI), including navigational Quicklinks and on-line video support resources.
Pay slips will look different in COMPAS. Check out this Quick Reference Guide to get a Sneak Peek at the new layout.
ESS is available via the internet – VPN access is not required; this makes ESS easy to access for all employees
Employees will continue to have ESS access via the internet following separation. This ensures continuous access to historical payroll information for a period of time (duration of access is under discussion).
Page updated
Report abuse