Blue Services, powered by iLab, is a new modular, web-based asset management software tool designed to support the operations of the services centers across the University at Buffalo. 

• Compliance: Higher Education Institutions are required to adhere to policies that govern service center activity. UB is implementing Blue Services to provide departments with a tool to meet policy requirements.
• Efficiency: Currently, scheduling, work order requests, service center billing, and revenue collection are all processed manually, which is very time-consuming for service center staff. Blue Services will standardize and automate these processes for departments, leading to a more efficient experience for centers and customers.

• Collaboration and Resource Savings: Blue Services will create a platform for departments to view all instruments and services available on campus.
• Operational Efficiency:
  • Blue Services has calendars for resource scheduling and customizable workflows for service requests.
  • Blue Services will be integrated with the University’s chart of accounts. This will allow centralized and automated billing, which will be more efficient for service center customers, staff, managers, and those who process financial transactions.  
• Reporting: Blue Services will provide more comprehensive equipment and service usage reporting. This will lead to more accurate financial reporting and quicker rate recalculations.

• Jennifer Pesany, Assistant Vice President, Financial Management
• Ashley Butcher, Director of Cost Accounting, Financial Management
• Lilly Damin, Project Coordinator, Business Reporting and Systems

Ashley and Lilly will be working with service center managers through implementation. 

For any questions, please reach out to UBS-BLUEServices@buffalo.edu

The implementation team will use a “wave” approach to ensure that each service center has the functionality it needs. Every 12 weeks, 3 to 4 centers will be onboarded into the system.  

The first pilot group will go live in Fall 2024, and the second wave is scheduled to go live in January 2025. Waves will continue until all service centers utilize Blue Services.

Conversations with the individual service center managers are happening now. We will post the centers in the onboarding process on our website. If you haven’t already scheduled your implementation, please reach out to UBS-BLUEServices@buffalo.edu

Join our Blue Services Listserv to stay updated with the latest information. 

The Blue Services project team will help service centers through the implementation process. To begin, you will complete a workbook asking questions about your service center. This will allow the project team and Agilent to learn more about your service center.

The implementation timeline is 12 weeks. During this time, Agilent will work with you to:

• Build your service center website
• Create your customized workflows
• Train you on how to use Blue Services
• Test your Blue Services website
• Develop a communication plan to share with your customers
• You will be involved throughout the entire process. 

For the project to be successful, we need your help and guidance throughout the implementation process. Our Project Team will schedule a preliminary meeting three months before your scheduled implementation to review any prep work that needs to be done, including completing an onboarding workbook.

Once the implementation begins, weekly meetings will be scheduled with Agilent.

Service center managers will also need to provide Agilent with additional information and feedback on the website. In total, we estimate 3-4 hours a week for the entire 12-week implementation.

Agilent will be leading service center managers and users through training once their Blue Services website is available. Training materials and information will also be found on the Blue Services website. If additional trainings are needed, please contact UBS-BLUEServices@buffalo.edu.  

General training guides will be available on our website. In addition, service center managers will be provided with customized training guides to show customers how to interact with their center’s website. If additional training is needed, please contact UBS-BLUEServices@buffalo.edu.  

If you have any questions regarding Blue Services, please send an email to UBS-BLUEServices@buffalo.edu