Modernization Year-in-Review

Posted: December 6, 2010

To bring us to the critical first implementation of myVRS Navigator, VRS has accomplished a number of goals since the launch of the multi-year Modernization Program in 2009. They include:

Launching VRS University, a tool for online training – Soon employers will use the Knowledge Center within VRS University to access training courses on VRS benefits and programs, including Modernization. With VRS University, you’ll have a comprehensive record of any courses that you open, start or complete.
Asking employers to select how they will submit data in the future – All employers will have the ability to submit employee enrollments and data changes online, directly into myVRS Navigator. However, larger employers or those with a greater number of changes to submit at one time may prefer to upload a batch file of data changes to myVRS Navigator. Your organization recently made a choice to submit data online, batch or a combination. Your selection will enable VRS to guide your preparations for implementation, including training and certification to use myVRS Navigator, the tool you will use to submit information following Modernization . If you have not responded, please review the Systems Requirements Distribution 1 264kb and send your reply to modernization@varetire.org.
Distributing systems requirements to employers – These documents 264kb discuss the technical requirements and reporting methods available to employers. They include a new batch file layout for employers submitting changes via batch upload and changes you may need to make to your HR and payroll systems to reconcile the contributions you pay VRS.
Conducting surveys and focus groups to gather feedback – Since the program’s start, VRS has been gathering feedback from a variety of employer contacts through in-person visits, webinar previews and focus groups. Employer input lets us know we are on the right track to creating a product that will meet your needs, and also alerts us when you need additional flexibility, such as options for reporting and remitting contributions for contract employees.
Creating webinars to familiarize employers with Modernization – The three Modernization webinars created to date communicate the program’s goals, timeline and features for employers and members. In addition, the webinars present changes being made to the ways employers will submit employee data and new calculations for creditable compensation and contributions.
Establishing a Modernization Liaison at each employer – Modernization Liaisons are employer-designated contacts who receive information from VRS and distribute it to appropriate departments within their organization. They keep you informed of changes that are occurring and, in the coming year, will ensure you are aware of training opportunities and certification requirements. They also are crucial to sharing your staff’s concerns and questions about Modernization with VRS, which helps us to improve and target our communications to fit your needs.
Beginning the construction of myVRS Navigator – VRS staff and our contractor, Sagitec Solutions LLC, are building a customized online benefit administration tool to accommodate the business process improvements we made.
Redesigning our business processes – VRS found ways to improve our work processes internally to speed benefit processing times and provide new services for you and your employees. More online and self-service options, such as managing your VRS-authorized contacts and customizing reports of your employee data, are key objectives for Modernization.

Stay abreast of Modernization’s progress by reading communication shared by your liaison and in Employer Update.