State workers will be able to get sneak peeks at their pay stubs on the Wednesday before payday beginning in January, when the state plans to launch its new online payroll system. Easier and earlier access to pay stub information is the first phase in the $158 million project known as OAKS, or Ohio Administrative Knowledge System -- which state officials said Tuesday is on time and under budget. Once in place, the new system will eliminate paper time sheets and allow employees to submit orders for office supplies online, among other innovations. Project manager David White said the state estimates that streamlining its payroll and finance software can ultimately save $200 million in efficiencies. Various features of the system are set to roll out between January 2007 and July 2008.
