Department of Finance & Administration
Dave Goetz, Commissioner

STATE OF TENNESSEE'S PROJECT EDISON

It’s likely you’ve heard about Project Edison, but what exactly is it?

To put it simply, Project Edison is the State of Tennessee’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. ERP systems use an integrated software package to perform administrative business functions, such as financials and accounting, procurement, payroll, benefits, and personnel administration. The ERP Division within the Department of Finance and Administration was created in May of 2005 to effort a plan, design, develop and implement the correct ERP solution for the State of Tennessee, and was given the name Project Edison. While systems like STARS and TOPS rely on separate databases, Edison uses a common database that allows the system to share information between business functions within an agency, and across agencies statewide. By eliminating many of the State’s out-of-date applications, employees will now be able to work under a common system and share common data. This integration enhances the integrity of information by greatly decreasing the need to re-key data and gives managers access to real-time information when making business decisions.

It is important to remember, however, that Project Edison is much more than an IT project. The goal is to fundamentally change the way that the State of Tennessee does business by adopting the best practices that the new technology makes possible. Working together, we have a unique opportunity to significantly improve the way the State of Tennessee does business and serves its citizens.