Terminology

While you learn and work with ctcLink and its software, PeopleSoft, you will come across many words and terms. Find a quick list below and a comprehensive list at ctcLink Glossary.

benefits

There are many words and terms associated with benefits in the ctcLink system. Find a list in the Benefits Vocabulary page of the ctcLink Reference Center.

Campus Solutions (CS)

One of the three main working systems — referred to as “pillars” — in the PeopleSoft software that runs ctcLink. Campus Solutions (CS) will manage student administration, including admissions, financial aid and student records. It will replace the Student Management System (SMS), Financial Aid Management (FAM) and Degree Audit. The other two pillars are Finance and Human Capital Management.

Chart of Accounts (CoA)

The foundation of the PeopleSoft accounting system. The Chart of Accounts provides each business unit, fund, department, cost center, project/grant and account with a unique identification number and a common language for identifying financial transactions.

ctcLink

ctcLink is the name for the PeopleSoft enterprise resource planning (ERP) project for Washington’s community and technical college system. The “ctc” stands for “community and technical colleges.” ctcLink will replace our aging legacy systems, such as the current Financial Management System (FMS), Student Management System (SMS) and Payroll/Personnel Management System (PPMS). It will be used by all 34 of Washington’s community and technical colleges.

database

A collection of similar information stored in a single place. PeopleSoft is built on a relational database, meaning that data is stored in many tables that relate to each other through common fields.

delta

A change from how things might previously have been done.

Empl ID

Empl ID (pronounced “em pull eye dee”) is a single identification number for each person record, regardless of whether the person is a student, staff or faculty. Even if a person has multiple roles at multiple campuses, they will still have just one Empl ID (also written as EMPLID).

enterprise resource planning (ERP)

PeopleSoft is an ERP, which is a system to integrate internal and external management of information across an entire organization (in our case, across Washington’s community and technical college system).

Favorites

PeopleSoft Favorites are user-defined list of frequently visited PeopleSoft pages or frequently used queries.

fee class

Fee class is what you are charging a fee for, such as tuition. Not the same as fee codes in legacy system.

Finance (FIN)

One of the three main working systems — referred to as “pillars” — in the PeopleSoft software that runs ctcLink. Finance (FIN) will support all of our business processing and will replace the Financial Management System (FMS). The other two pillars are Campus Solutions and Human Capital Management.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid module is located in Campus Solutions (CS) pillar. This module replaces FAM system for all awarding and disbursing functions. Interfaces with Human Capital Management (HCM) to support work-study students’ employment and earnings and Finance to record financial data.

go live vs. Go-Live

The first day a college begins to use ctcLink as its system of record.
Verb: We are getting ready to go live on ctcLink PeopleSoft.
Noun: The webpages are being updated in time for Go-Live.
Adjective: The go-live preparations are underway.

Human Capital Management (HCM)

One of the three main working systems — referred to as “pillars” — in the PeopleSoft software that runs ctcLink. Human Capital Management (HCM) will house all HR-related functionality and will replace the Personnel and Payroll Management System (PPMS). The other two pillars are Campus Solutions and Finance.

learning management system (LMS)

Software for delivering, tracking and managing training or classes. Some examples include Canvas, Angel and Blackboard.

legacy

PeopleSoft is replacing several legacy software systems: FAM, FMS, PPMS and SMS.

FAM = Financial Aid Management
FMS = Financial Management System
PPMS = Personnel/Payroll Management System
SMS = Student Management System

module

A group of processes that are related to each other (e.g., Student Records is one module and Admissions is another).

pawsitive

Puppy-speak for positive. Delta Dog says moving to ctcLink is a pawsitive move for our campus.

PeopleSoft

PeopleSoft is the name of the software that will manage all student (Campus Solutions or CS), human resources (Human Capital Management or HCM), and financial (Finance or FIN) data. Technically, PeopleSoft is an ERP, which is a system to integrate internal and external management of information across an entire organization (in our case, across Washington’s community and technical college system). Find an extensive list of terms in the PeopleSoft Glossary.

query

A report in PeopleSoft that can be created or run to return subsets of information. Can be either Public or Private. Security setup for Query is unique to Query.

time and labor

There are many words and terms associated with time and labor in the ctcLink system. Find a list on the Time and Labor Vocabulary page of the ctcLink Reference Center.

time period

Configuration area that defines days, weeks and months for the system so that calendars can be built.

time reporter types

Either Elapsed (work is reported in hours without clock details) or Punch (work is reported in time stamps for In, Out and Meal breaks).

time type

Either Exception (employees only report when they are not there) or Positive (employee must report time they are at work). This is defined for employees by their Workgroup. This is different than Elapsed vs. Punch which are time reporter types.

user acceptance testing (UAT)

A process to obtain confirmation that the system meets mutually agreed upon requirements. A subject matter expert (SME) provides such confirmation after trial or review. UAT is one of the final stages of the project before the go-live date.

woof

Delta Dog’s favorite word. Normally quiet, Delta Dog will let loose with a woof! to express gratitude or delight.

Acronyms