Cloud technology offers huge potential to help modernize your campus. To meet constituent needs faster, smarter, and better. And to make you more nimble and responsive to change.
But migrating to the cloud is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a multi-layered set of choices that are unique to your institution. Some colleges and universities start small, moving a few applications and adopting cloud services over time. Others go big, moving all solutions and application management to the cloud and redirecting in-house staff toward more strategic activities. It all depends on your goals and resource capacity.
I constantly remind clients that technology is a means to an end. So when thinking about the cloud, start with your end goals—those related to student and institutional success. Then work backward to create a plan that will get you where you want to go.
Using this approach will reveal the tough questions you need to answer as an institution before making a move. Here are two that should be at the top of your list.
1. Do we have a clear business case and executive buy-in?
Don’t jump into the cloud just because all the cool kids are doing it. Get in because it makes sense for your institution. Your IT team should be working with executives and department heads to determine whether migration will increase ROI and lower TCO, both financial and strategic, over time.
The cloud offers economies of scale that reduce costs and improve access to innovation. But understand that cost savings may come at the expense of control and flexibility. What if the institution plans to launch programs that require highly customized technology? What if your governance model is becoming stricter? Failure to align cloud technology with business goals could ultimately increase costs, as well as frustrations, delays, and barriers to institutional success.
2. Have we chosen the right cloud model?
The cloud is not an all or nothing decision. You have the power to choose which solutions and administrative functions to migrate. Each choice offers different benefits and tradeoffs.
Do you need greater agility to modernize or scale bandwidth up or down? Using cloud-based software makes this possible, but it also means giving up some control. If you need to make frequent customizations or have unique compliance requirements, keeping certain solutions on premise might be required. But it will also make it harder to adopt new innovation or lower costs.
Many institutions are choosing a hybrid between on-premise and cloud-based solutions. And evolving the mix over time.
Remember: your first move is not your last
Once you hit “Go Live” on a specific application in the cloud, you can still add or remove services as your needs change. The key is to make sure your strategic goals are driving decisions every step of the way.
Your next big question: Have I developed a realistic cost/benefit analysis?
As you answer questions about which cloud solutions best support your business goals, you will also need to develop a financial model that accurately estimates the costs and benefits of various choices.
Download Ellucian’s white paper “How to Value the Cloud,” for the top elements you should consider in order to make the right investments and reduce total cost of ownership.
Jeff Ralyea, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Ellucian
Jeff creates cloud solutions that are integrated, flexible, and designed to enhance the student experience of today and tomorrow. Prior to Ellucian, Jeff held senior leadership positions at SAP, Infor, and other technology companies. He brings more than 20 years of experience in software, strategy, and software-as-a-service to his current role.
