"We heard that ABC University is using XYZ software. We should get it too."

Contrasting The Status-Quo Way With The Beyond Way In The Cloud SIS Race

Status Quo: The analyst and consulting firms who have been around for decades are incentivized to promote a “lift and shift” of old processes to new technology. That’s because vendors want to sell, install, and move on as fast as possible. Anything (especially the mission-critical people and process transformation) slows down their money-making. So they’ll tell you it’s “part of the roadmap”, even though it’s nowhere to be found. They’ll get rich, while you are left holding the bag.

Click here to read Our 2023 Study on ERP/SIS Debacles And Their Root Causes

4 Non-Negotiables of the Beyond Way

1) Software vendors can’t own the transformation. You MUST!

Since the vendor’s roadmap involves getting in-and-out of your institution as fast as possible, your transformation roadmap must start a minimum of 12 months before you even search for a vendor. This sets your institution up to own the transformation, and modernize policy, people, process, and structure problems first, and then select there right vendor who can meet your future-ready vision.

2) Have us guard the hen house, and keep the foxes out

Unless you had planned to quit your job and live in a trailer on the lot of your dream home managing all the trades, you wouldn’t consider building that dream home without a general contractor on your side. So don’t even think about a major institutional transformation without someone on like us your side – protecting you from those who aren’t aligned to your interests.

We act as your agents and general contractors – who know how to call BS on all the tricks of the trade that vendors and their system integrators play (including surprise change orders). We install proper governance, protect the institution, and ensure the outcomes you want are delivered.

3) Software isn’t the transformation, people and process are.

Any institution can buy software, but if a culture of change is not embraced and sustained through the entire process, there will be adoption and adaptation problems that cost the institution millions. Changing old mindsets toward turf and tradition, while breaking down silos of mistrust are more important than the software itself. Beyond has proprietary staff engagement methodologies to deliver that. We know that the people transformation, and the modernization of the policies and procedures they follow are more important than the software you just purchased.

3) It’s never about what any one software can do. It’s about your overall System of Systems (SoS) design – and where that technology fits into a future-ready state.

Technology has changed so much that the dominant positioning of an ERP/SIS in an institution is no longer viable or sustainable. As an example, even the most modern ERP/SIS systems are not able to fully leverage generative AI, predictive analytics, and certainly none of them come close to providing the frictionless student experience you are hoping for. What your institution needs is the architecture of an SoS where ERP, SIS, CRM and other tools sit in their rightful seat on the bus, while nimble technologies knit together a seamless experience for users. Only Beyond can help you architect that system – because we are not beholden to any software vendor’s message.

Whether you are considering a large technology transformation, or stuck in a poor implementation, invite us in to help. We’ll position you for the campus-led, future-ready impact you actually want.