Your Challenge

Many enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in higher education need an update. Most student information systems (SIS) are 15 years old. (Ménard, Justin. “Some Data Context on ‘[SIS] Difficulties Frustrate Universities.’”)

The ERP replacement will often outlast the tenure of the CIO who initiates the project.

The risk of a poor implementation can cost the institution millions of dollars.

Common Obstacles

The higher education industry is lagging in its modernization and many IT departments lack the experience to implement modern systems.

The market has been slow to provide a modern SIS system that meets the requirements of most institutions, in comparison to other ERP modules.

The ERP replacement is very costly and many institutions are reluctant to expend resources on a project that doesn’t directly support student experience.

Info-Tech’s Approach

Review five approaches to address the challenge of ERP renewal in Higher Education: single vendor, best of breed, data ecosystem, shared data platform, or deprioritize the ERP.

A straight ERP replacement is not always the best approach. A consideration of not only IT’s capability but also the institution’s maturity is of utmost importance.

Work with Info-Tech to decide on what approach your institution should take for ERP renewal.

• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems facilitate the flow of information across business units. An ERP allows for the seamless integration of systems and creates a holistic view of the institution to support decision making.
• In many institutions, the ERP system is considered the lifeblood of the enterprise. Problems with this key operational system will have a dramatic impact on the ability of the enterprise to survive and grow.

• Automates processes, reducing the amount of routine manual work.
• Integrates with core modules, eliminating the fragmentation of systems.
• Centralizes reporting information from multiple parts of the value chain to a single point.

ERP

Higher Education ERP

• Lack of flexibility to respond to the needs of the institution
• Lack of strategic thinking
• Unwillingness to change
• Reactive rather than proactive

Info-Tech Insight

The CIO needs to assess the maturity of the institution to determine the most effective approach. The best approach for a less mature institution may be less advanced.

• Dedicated forward planning
• Agile decision making
• Prioritization of specific initiatives such as a strong online presence
• Cost cutting and nimbleness
• Shared governance to support timely, flexible decision making
• Ability to maintain operations without a mass layoff

(Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education. Navigating Uncertainty and Building Resilient Colleges.)

average implementation time for an ERP in Higher Education

Info-Tech Insight

An institution can modify processes to suit the ERP or customize the ERP to suit its processes. ERP customization increases implementation costs and ultimately causes the demise of the system due to the complexity of upgrades.

Resiliency relies less on the systems and technology and more on the IT department’s ability to support the institution.

IT CAPABILITY

Can IT implement the solution to the satisfaction of its stakeholders, and can IT support those systems once implemented?

INSTITUTIONAL MATURITY

Does the institution have the maturity of governance and strategy to benefit from the potential of these solutions?