How Universities Can Make the Most of Digitization

Universities and businesses are two different things. But the relationship between a university and its students is comparable to that of an enterprise and its customers: the digitization of the business world affects them in equal measure. This blog post examines what the digital transformation means for the higher education sector.

Just like businesses in any other industry, universities now face tougher competition than ever before. Today’s prospective students are looking further afield when considering their options. Although this development presents the opportunity for universities to acquire top talent from overseas, they need to make themselves stand out. Attracting and retaining bright minds can create a positive image and lift universities through the rankings.

In addition, there is a rising number of alternatives to traditional higher education. Open universities and e-learning, for example, offer greater flexibility and convenience. The popularity of such courses is due in part to a shift in expectations. In the digital age, consumers and students call the shots. They demand personalized services and offerings, more interactivity on all channels, and the ability to access up-to-date information and resources, anywhere,

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Here are four pointers to summarize:

1. Think B2B, act B2C

Universities share a mix of traits with both B2B and B2C enterprises. Like B2B companies, they have to build and maintain a strong relationship with their customers (the students). On the other hand, they can market their courses, products, and services at students and prospects just like B2C brands do. There are a number of cloud-based marketing and commerce solutions to facilitate this.

2. Integrate data and processes

Many higher education organizations are missing opportunities due to a lack of data integration. By consolidating information onto a single platform, universities can streamline processes, increase transparency, and deliver a better experience overall. Students, especially digital natives, would rather attend an innovative, forward-thinking university than one that’s stuck in the past.

3. Adopt an omni-channel approach

There are many way for universities to interact with students. But communication is at its most effective when it is coherent. Omni-channel platforms enable universities to market one-to-one with each student and prospect. Providing a consistent experience across all channels ensures that students receive high-quality information, however they choose to access it.

4. Track the entire student lifecycle

The student lifecycle is a long journey, spanning from recruitment to graduation and beyond. Monitoring this path enables universities to better understand students, react to feedback, and provide more personalized offerings. These could range from recommendations for additional modules or on-campus events to branded university merchandise.

Universities are often extremely complex organizations comprising great numbers of people, a wealth of information, and, in many cases, multiple locations. But by adopting cutting-edge technology, universities can overcome the challenges.

Act Now

SAP offers a wide range of solutions, such as SAP Hybris Cloud for Customer, that help higher education institutions beat the competition and reach new heights.

NTT DATA Business Solutions has experience of working with numerous top higher-learning organizations to implement these solutions. To find out more, visit our website here.