Washington, D.C. - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James today announced the initial deployment of the Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) data repository. The EHRI initiative will automate the personnel records of over 1.8 million federal employees.

"EHRI represents how the application of technology through e-Government enhances the human capital development of President Bush's Management Agenda," stated James. "OPM has created an important test bed for the technology upon which the system will be based."

EHRI supports human resources management across the federal government at all levels from front-line employee to senior management. The result is comprehensive electronic personnel record-keeping and an analysis system covering the entire life cycle of federal employees from hire to retirement. EHRI will eventually replace the current paper-based Official Personnel Folder with an Official Electronic Record and will support managers across the government in analyzing and planning human capital requirements.

In addition to reducing the number of paper forms, EHRI will allow employees to view their own personnel records; streamline work force reporting; allow for the electronic exchange of human resources data; and support work force planning and forecasting including timely and accurate data for retirement claims.

"EHRI will allow for greater sharing flexibility of personnel records among federal agencies," remarked James. "By providing this flexibility, EHRI will provide federal human resources managers with an impressive array of work force analytical and planning capabilities - all important components of the strategic management of human capital."

The initial milestone demonstrates EHRI's capability to automate the official employee records of federal employees governmentwide. EHRI's next major milestone is February 2004, when agencies will begin providing data on a bi-weekly basis. EHRI is scheduled to achieve full operating capability next September.

EHRI is one of twenty-four e-Government initiatives outlined in the President's Management Agenda, President Bush's strategy for making the federal government more focused on citizens and results, and one of five e-Government initiatives owned by OPM.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

---