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Wisconsin Employee Trust Fund Upgrades its Benefits Payments System

The new Web-based system is scheduled to go online next year.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Officials of the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds said the ETF is implementing a new benefits-payments system for the Wisconsin Retirement System.

The ETF's old system will be replaced by a custom-built benefit-payments system (BPS), which is scheduled for implementation by March 2004. Officials said the new system should better enable the Wisconsin ETF's ability to handle the increased processing volume expected to accompany the impending influx of baby boomer retirements.

"Our current retirement system is antiquated," said Dave Hinrichs, assistant secretary, Wisconsin ETF, in a statement. "The ETF's decision to implement the new system will ensure our ongoing ability to respond to the needs of our employers and members by providing them with a secure, Web-based, self-service system. The new BPS will not only increase overall department productivity, but will also allow ETF staff to focus more on members' needs and less on routine processing tasks."

Featuring Web-based functionality, the new system will use integrated workflow and office automation capabilities to help improve the speed and accuracy of business processing. Other benefits include improved records management, reporting and process management.

The ETF serves over 492,000 members, including 112,400 benefit recipients, as well as 1,300 employers in Wisconsin. The new system will provide the benefit recipients easier and secure access to their account information, information accuracy and enhanced customer service.

The new system is built using IBM's e-business infrastructure software, including WebSphere Application Server. The Wisconsin ETF contracted with Covansys, a member of the IBM Partner World for Software.