Identify a Resilient Approach to the Future of Your Higher Education ERP
Balance IT’s capability with the institution’s maturity.
- Many ERP systems in higher education need an update. Most SIS systems are 15 years old.
- 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.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
The purpose of the Higher Education ERP is to deliver value to the strategic direction of the institution. However, the approach to ERP renewal will be constrained by IT’s capability and the institution’s maturity.
Impact and Result
A straight ERP replacement is not always the best approach. Work with Info-Tech to decide on what approach your institution should take for ERP renewal.
Identify a Resilient Approach to the Future of Your Higher Education ERP
Balance IT’s capability with the institution’s maturity.
Executive Summary
Your ChallengeMany 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 ObstaclesThe 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 ApproachReview 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. |
Info-Tech Insight
The purpose of the Higher Education ERP is to deliver value to the strategic direction of the institution. However, the approach to ERP renewal will be constrained by IT’s capability and the institution’s maturity.
Understand ERP in the context of your institution
What is ERP?
|
ERP
|
||||||
Higher Education ERP |
Service-Centric | In Higher Education, an ERP is focused on the data relevant to students, faculty, and administration. |
A resilient approach to the ERP enables the IT department to respond to the needs of the institution
It’s the IT department’s organization that needs to be resilient, not the technology.
A Less Resilient Approach
Info-Tech InsightThe 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. | A More Resilient Approach
(Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education. Navigating Uncertainty and Building Resilient Colleges.) |
Identify a resilient approach to the future of your Higher Ed ERP
| 6+ years Info-Tech InsightAn 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. | APPROACHES
| RATIONALE 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? |
About Info-Tech
Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.
We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
What Is a Blueprint?
A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.
Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.
Talk to an Analyst
Our analyst calls are focused on helping our members use the research we produce, and our experts will guide you to successful project completion.
Book an Analyst Call on This Topic
You can start as early as tomorrow morning. Our analysts will explain the process during your first call.
Get Advice From a Subject Matter Expert
Each call will focus on explaining the material and helping you to plan your project, interpret and analyze the results of each project step, and set the direction for your next project step.
Unlock Sample ResearchContributors
- Martin Bernier, University of Ottawa, Chief Information Officer
- Paul Feilmeier, Northeast Community College, Vice President of Technology Services
- Srinivas Gotety, Millersville University, Executive Director - Enterprise Applications & Digital Solutions
- Chuck Lanham, Western Washington University, Vice Provost for Information Technology and CIO
- Sandeep Sidhu, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Chief Information Officer
- Steve Di Filipo, Info-Tech Research Group, Senior Executive Advisor
- Mark Roman, Info-Tech Research Group, Managing Partner for Education