In today's evolving institution landscapes, embracing robust SaaS platforms is no longer optional but is critical to a good user experience. Students want their institution to offer technology and content that they are consuming, such as one-stop shops for information and personalized content.
The Ellucian SaaS Platform leads this transformation by bringing together a student engagement hub and faculty/staff workspace, data and analytics, business processes, and an integration platform. It powers core capabilities that enable institutions to transform faculty and student engagement.
In a data-centric decision-making environment, harnessing organizational data—including inputs from partner ecosystems and the workforce—is an advantage and a necessity. This data fuels meaningful insights and lays the groundwork for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within an institution's operations.
AI innovation is emerging as a key priority for many higher education institutions, with dedicated teams striving to actualize these advancements. These AI innovations are not confined to formulating strategies but are seamlessly integrated into Insights, becoming a strategic component of the outcomes.
The Power of the Ellucian Platform
The Ellucian Platform's robust APIs facilitate smooth integration with third-party systems, enhancing flexibility and adaptability. Whether connecting with bookstore platforms like Barnes & Noble's First Day Ready system for real-time enrollment insights or linking to other external systems, institutions can consolidate data sources for a unified experience.
Enhanced User Experience with a Central Work Hub
Institutions are increasingly turning to SaaS platforms to achieve modernization goals while overcoming internal challenges such as limited IT resources or trust in IT processes. For instance, a two-year public institution with just 13 IT staff successfully transitioned to the Ellucian Platform in 17 months—with minimal disruption and only an 8-hour delay. This efficiency highlights the Platform's capability to streamline operations and accelerate digital transformation.
SaaS platforms also foster trust and stability within institutions by simplifying data management, improving collaboration, and aligning IT capabilities with organizational goals. The result is a more efficient, transparent, and responsive IT ecosystem that supports long-term success.
Ellucian Experience prioritizes a higher-performing, responsive user experience, ensuring swift and intuitive access to critical information. Added features such as push notifications and SMS capabilities allow institutions to connect with students and staff through their preferred communication channels, increasing engagement and responsiveness. The Platform goes beyond being a mere information provider; it propels action. It equips institutions with insights and visualizations that guide informed decision-making and goal achievement.
Intelligent Automation
The Ellucian’s Intelligent Processes enable higher education institutions to automate tasks and processes, which liberates time and resources for more productive use. Institutions can focus on high-impact initiatives, improving productivity and student outcomes. The infrastructure and integration platform serves to amplify automation capabilities, allowing institutions to craft modern, dynamic experiences.
The user-friendly, no-code workflow tool for business users to compose forms, automate tasks, and build approval workflows to streamline cross-departmental processes. Institutions can build champions for business processes across departments with a connected platform, and anyone at the institution can build intuitive workflows to remove manual processes and approvals.
Streamlined Communication Tools
The built-in communication tools empower institutions to efficiently launch targeted campaigns and deliver real-time updates. The Platform's rules decouple policies from automations, simplifying management and providing greater control over workflows.
Through targeted push notifications, Intelligent Processes delivers relevant information directly to the dashboard—eliminating the clutter of irrelevant emails—and makes it easy for students to review academic policies and fill out necessary forms by consolidating tasks inside the Platform. The solution also boosts employee productivity by making it easy to complete mandatory training, agree to HR policies or set up banking information as needed.
Actionable Insights and Analytics
Ellucian Insights equips institutions with powerful analytics and visualization tools to guide data-driven decisions. Institutions can gain a deeper understanding of their operations and student needs through real-time dashboards and tailored reports. The Platform ensures secure and granular access to critical data by enabling room-level and table-level permissions.
Institutions are increasingly leveraging Ellucian Insights to enhance their data strategies. With an intuitive and engaging interface, Insights democratizes access to critical information, enabling leaders to generate board-ready data, tailored dashboards, and near real-time reports. This capability empowers teams—from generalists to vice presidents—to make informed decisions without relying heavily on IT support.
Transitioning from traditional tools like spreadsheets to Insights has been transformative for many institutions. Insights simplifies data storytelling and improves compliance by enabling departments to seamlessly generate reports that meet regulatory requirements.
Looking ahead, institutions are exploring integrations with external data systems to expand their strategic capabilities. For example, integrating Insights with enrollment platforms can provide real-time course fee data, enhancing the overall student experience. By positioning Insights as the definitive source of truth, institutions can ensure data consistency and empower teams to drive impactful change.
Future developments include AI-driven enhancements to automate report generation, streamline report discovery, and predict institutional trajectories to help address enrollment cliffs.
Modernizing for the Future
Ellucian's SaaS platform stands as a cornerstone for institutions aiming to modernize operations, optimize efficiency, and enhance student engagement. With its comprehensive suite of tools—spanning user experience, process automation, communication, and actionable insights—the platform equips institutions to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in an increasingly complex higher education landscape.
Institutions can unlock new levels of performance, agility, and impact by consolidating institutional data, democratizing data access, and embracing AI innovations. The shift to SaaS and data-driven decision-making represents not just progress but a strategic imperative for the future of higher education.
SaaS Innovators Series
Watch this three-part on-demand webinar series to learn how our solutions drive institutional success by putting learners first.
Map Your Modernization Investments to Strategic Outcomes
Watch Stormie Wells, Director of Business Strategy and Operations at Ellucian to learn how to transform your institution's strategy into actionable results, addressing challenges and maximizing the value of your programs.
How to Harness the Power of a SaaS Platform for Institutional Success
Discover how Ellucian's SaaS platform can empower your institution for the future by enhancing communication and leveraging AI, automation, and analytics
SaaS Innovator Panel: How Leaders are Embracing Future-Proof Technology
Learn from higher education leaders who successfully partnered with Ellucian for SaaS modernization, gaining insights on strategies, implementation, and transforming the campus experience.
