As students, faculty, administration, and staff in higher education institutions pivot towards digitalized work and learning environments, there are more opportunities than ever to explore the advantages of cloud enablement.
What is Cloud Enablement?
Cloud enablement is when an organization’s entire IT infrastructure is analyzed for opportunities to host some or all of its software applications in a private, public, or hybrid cloud environment. Enterprise organizations often use a private model due to private network servers and approved user access protocols. Public models are open and accessible to anyone, with cloud services accessed via the internet. A hybrid cloud model is simply a variation that includes aspects of both public and private environments—a model typically used by colleges, universities, and technical institutions.
Once cloud-based solutions have been identified, cloud enablement activities can include server migration, upgrading or changing operating systems, centralizing databases, and migrating electronic records and information.
Benefits of Cloud Enablement for Higher Education
Enhanced Technical Efficiency
Most colleges and universities have onsite data centres and large IT departments. The data centre is typically a stand-alone building that houses a complex network of servers, applications, and computers. A large IT team is required to ensure that each aspect of the tools and technologies operates independently and in sync with other systems and applications. Cloud enhancement for higher education institutions is ideal because many of the routine processes can be automated, updates and maintenance activities can be streamlined, and new applications and technical solutions can be tested in cloud-based production environments before live deployment—saving the organization time and resources while preventing operational disruptions.
Access to Information
From undergraduate students learning introductory concepts to doctoral fellows researching revolutionary ideas, the purpose of higher education is to learn. Cloud enablement is an innovative way to make information accessible and shareable—with the option to set protections and access controls around sensitive or confidential data. Cloud enablement is also ideal for institutions seeking to digitize large amounts of analog data. Media such as old newspapers, documents, photographs, and film are being converted into digital format to make access and sharing easier—and many institutions are adopting cloud solutions because of the sheer volume of new data being created.
Enhanced eLearning Capabilities
Although eLearning and online distance education were available in higher education institutions prior to the pandemic, the limited access to campus accelerated the move towards digitalizing course and program offerings. Cloud enablement for universities, colleges, and technical schools is an ideal way to make eLearning available from anywhere in the world. Cloud enablement also enables working groups to meet virtually—saving time and disruptions caused by the lack of available meeting spaces. Cloud enablement can also benefit students in programs that generate large volumes of data and use complex computing and discipline-specific applications, such as graphic design, architecture, and physics. Cloud solutions provide enhanced storage, secure sharing capabilities, and robust data backups.
Are You Ready to Embrace Cloud Enablement?
Cloud enablement is revolutionizing learning, teaching, and research activities worldwide. Line One Contact Centres recognizes how digitalization is impacting higher education institutions—and innovating how IT departments deliver their services. Our Advisory Services team works with you to assess your current state, plan your future vision, and analyze the gaps to prepare your organization and transition to cloud-based solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our cloud enablement strategies.
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