Cloud Needs to Be High on Higher Ed IT Priority Lists in 2021
Migrating to the cloud offers higher ed IT leaders a chance to streamline and implement new platforms (like videoconferencing, learning management systems and digital libraries) or tools (like online chats and team collaboration software) that improve an institution's operations. It also provides an opportunity to take stock of IT team expertise, skill levels and adaptability to understand where there may be skills gaps. In both cases, bringing on an external managed services partner — we went with Contegix at Widener — that understands how to marry current academic IT systems with a new cloud solution or SaaS-powered digital tools can help offset extraneous IT costs.
While the cloud adoption and migration process requires advanced planning, upfront investment and potential external partnership, selecting the right cloud solution and infrastructure setup can save an institution money, time and IT team bandwidth now that delivers ROI for years.
Looking Ahead
Global demand for virtual higher education is not going away. COVID-generated trends of increased network usage, more maintenance requests and heightened security concerns will persist through the next academic year and beyond. Simultaneously, the need among higher ed institutions to offset financial consequences of the pandemic by prioritizing affordability and cost efficiency will persist across departments — including IT.
While Widener was already operating in a cloud environment before COVID, our decision was quickly validated when we sent students, staff and faculty home and our systems handled intensified digital activity across the board. By investing in cloud solutions, integrating digital infrastructure, and potentially bringing on a managed IT service provider, today's higher education IT leaders can place their institutions in better position to navigate an unprecedented spring semester, and what follows.
About the Author
John Kitchen is director of client success, ITS, at Widener University, a comprehensive doctorate-granting university based in Chester, PA. Widener comprises seven schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. Widener's two schools of law are located in Wilmington, DE, and Harrisburg, PA.