Asiera Leads National Shift to Digital Timesheet Claims with Successful Pilot Transition to Business As Usual (BAU)
A key achievement has been reached in the modernisation of HR and payroll processes across the higher education sector, as the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) successfully transitions its Online Timesheet Claims Project into BAU. As the pioneering pilot site within Asiera’s (formerly HEAnet & EduCampus) national digital timesheet programme, IADT’s achievement represents not only institutional success but a broader turning point for sector-wide transformation.
For nearly a decade, the ambition to replace paper-based timesheet processes with a unified digital solution faced considerable challenges. Multiple attempts across the sector struggled with contractual complexity, development hurdles, and competing priorities. Through sustained leadership and coordinated programme delivery, Asiera brought renewed momentum and structure to the initiative, enabling a scalable solution aligned with institutional needs.
Asiera’s Role in Driving Change
Central to this progress has been Asiera’s strategic oversight and commitment to collaborative delivery. A structured five-week pre-testing phase ensured that the system was robust, responsive, and ready for real-world deployment before the July 2025 pilot commencement date at IADT. This disciplined approach has proven instrumental in building confidence across institutions and setting a high standard for implementation.
The move to digital timesheets has already demonstrated tangible benefits, including improved accuracy, reduced administrative burden, and more streamlined workflows for claimants and approvers. Beyond operational efficiencies, the programme represents a cultural shift toward shared solutions and sector-wide innovation.
Collaboration at the Institutional Level
At IADT, the success of the pilot reflects the dedication of cross-functional teams from HR and Finance who worked closely with Asiera throughout planning, testing, validation, and rollout. Their ability to balance demanding operational roles while driving transformation ensured that the solution remained grounded in real user experience.
The official go-live in November 2025 marked a defining moment, drawing strong engagement from staff and signalling readiness for change. Further rollouts in January 2026 expanded adoption across campus, building momentum toward full onboarding of Hourly Paid Assistant Lecturers (HPALs) by September 2026.
Momentum Across the Sector
The impact of the pilot is already evident beyond IADT. University College Cork recently completed its Go-Live, while Trinity College Dublin, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Technological University of the Shannon, and Technological University Dublin are preparing to begin their own implementations. Knowledge-sharing sessions, including insights from IADT’s HR Manager Niamh Clifford, are helping institutions learn from the pilot experience and accelerate their journeys.
A New Phase for Sector Collaboration
The transition to BAU marks more than the conclusion of a project phase; it signals the start of a new era for collaborative digital transformation. Asiera’s leadership has demonstrated how coordinated sector programmes can overcome longstanding challenges and deliver meaningful change at scale.
Digital timesheet transformation is no longer a future aspiration. It is now embedded, operational, and expanding, as Asiera lays the groundwork for further shared innovation across Ireland’s higher education and research landscape.