Pandemic or No Pandemic, Student Information Management Systems are here to rescue!
Student Information Management System is not a new term that demands an in-depth introduction.
Briefly, the student management process exists in the majority of private and government-run universities, but the process and software used may vary from one institution to another. These educational institutions deploy the information management system to track, analyze, and test student data to improve the quality of education by fostering student and parent experience.
So, Why Are We Discussing Student Database Management Now?
Global higher education institutions took a significant hit due to the unexpected predicament of the Coronavirus. Giant universities overestimated their IT assets and infrastructures, negatively impacting student experience. Evidently, preparedness was poor and unorganized.
At the inception of the indefinite lockdown, both faculties and administration ran back and forth to materialize a plan to bring stability in the new normal. Remote learning was implemented with a few hiccups here and there, but student data and administrative work took a severe toll.
Is student Information management system the answer to a sustainable education framework?
The answer is pretty straightforward- Yes!
Despite the investment made towards student information management ERP, many universities failed to capitalize on the benefits because of decentralized and undependable software systems.
Unlike the current situation, to enable the smooth running of operations in the institute, all elements need to work together, not in silos. All stakeholders- educators, faculty, administration, students, guardians, and related individuals must be on the same page while participating and receiving assistance in day-to-day activities.
Moreover, the recent developments resulted in a remote education structure that demands on-the-go platforms for quick turnaround time. Many institutions have failed to onboard mobile applications quickly.
Student data is vital for registration, billing, fee payments, assessment, financial aid provision, and many similar activities. Yet, contrary to the requirement, institutions couldn’t provide data to students, teachers, and faculties during the crisis without interruption, systematically, and error-free.
Clearly, student information system projects have successfully facilitated plenty of education institutes to swim through the pandemic. But, for those who couldn’t get out of the storm, here are a few suggestions for making your next purchase lucrative.
How To Evaluate A Student Information Management System?
1. Cloud-based ERP
Cloud-based student record systems are accessible to stakeholders anywhere and anytime. Cloud student data management brings customization and flexibility, suitable for all types of data requirements. Moreover, higher education institutes need not invest unnecessarily in IT infrastructure and skilled resources.
2. Minimize paperwork
The majority of software systems in the world reduce manual work and cut down time-consuming tasks. Similarly, student information management software streamlines processes like admissions and fee payment and reduces duplicate entries and errors. Unfortunately, when the pandemic was at its peak last year, many institutions could not enrol new students on time and receive admission fee, resulting in unnecessary conflicts and misunderstanding between parents and institutions. Pandemic or no pandemic, avoiding such unwarranted situation is best for universities reputation.
3. Centralized record-keeping
Record keeping is a traditional activity but performed in silos by many institutes. As a result, your educational institute not only suffers operational delay but misleading visibility to student data. Chances are high; it’ll indirectly impact student performance and directly impact strategic decision-making.
4. Interactive dashboard and analytics
In case you’ve unintentionally invested in a college management system, be wary of replacing it with an ERP system that offers highly interactive and informative dashboards and analytics.
An educational institute like yours cannot thrive without a data-driven approach.
5. Self-service portals
Believe it or not, the amount of traction self-service portals received during the pandemic is astonishing. According to a study, conducted by the giant computer software company- Microsoft, around 77% of users claim of using a self-service support portal.
Pandemic indeed surged that number and set foot in the education industry. In addition, both processes- online registration and online fee payment are faster and error-free if conducted through a self-service portal.
Moreover, institutes can take this as an opportunity of lessening administrative work and making way for transparency for parents & students.
6. Mobile application
Self-service portals are good news, but the mobile application is a game-changer. You or anyone out there can’t disagree that mobile apps saved us from boredom during the indefinite lockdowns. Similarly, the education sector has evolved and demands mobile-based user interactions. The flexibility and agility added by mobile apps are indispensable.
7. Agile communication and collaboration
We’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t appreciate the addition of collaborative platforms such as WhatsApp, Teams, Trello, etc., in our lives. Both students and teachers need a reliable and secure platform to stay connected in a remote learning environment. Mobility without communication is an impossible software solution.
Student Information Management System Is A Blessing For A Higher Education Institute
Listed here are a few essential reasons why you need to implement and invest in a reliable, scalable, and sustainable student management software-
- Need to secure student data privacy
- Operate on centralized software
- Reduce administrative activities & manual tasks
- Increase data-driven decision-making
- Improve student and parent experience
- YOY increase in student enrolment
- Improve university brand reputation (adapt with change)
- Operate local, enrol global
Don’t run randomly in search of Student Information Management Software. Instead, carefully weigh the criteria above on the basis of your requirement and come to a conclusion.
If you are flustered in understanding what’s suitable for your institution, we can help!
Our experts are jointly (with schools and higher ed colleges) developing a student management system that accommodates student information. Our assessment and consultation are driven by the challenges faced by the institutions we’re working together.
Also, we would love to hear your ideas and business challenges to tailor our student information management system as per industry requirement.