In this blog, you will be getting an insight on the benefits of SuiteCRM solution for Educational departments in universities and colleges. Colleges and universities have a reputation for being decentralized, with many departments operating independently of one another.
This decentralized structure has arguably been nurtured for decades in support of faculty independence and the resulting academic freedom that drives new thinking and research. That’s the good news.
The decentralized decision-making is not that effective as it confuses the communication process between students and institutions and other key stakeholders residing on the campus. The Admissions office initiates the relationship with prospective students. The Registrar enrolls them. Advising oversees the creation of individual academic plans. Curriculum and Academics manage and track grades and offer tools for student–teacher communication. The advancement office and the alumni association foster relationships with alumni to connect graduates and their resources to various initiatives on campus.
Most of the departments in reputed universities have built their own IT systems and communication channels for better clarity and transparency within the department. It isn’t unusual for colleges and universities to communicate with students through completely disparate systems. There is one dedicated system for paying the fees and bills for students and there is another chat room for mentoring sessions by academic research counselors and coaches.
A couple of years ago, it would have been easy to attribute this disconnect to the unique organization and culture of a typical campus, failing to realize anything was wrong. It is a two way sword as the students have become increasingly tech-savvy and they are very much reliant on mobile devices to manage their studies in a better way. They fail to realize that this can be their which is ignored by them.
A recent e-book on the subject sums the problem up perfectly:
“Students expect a level of personalization most institutions aren’t used to providing. They expect that they need access to view their grades, register for certification courses, or schedule an appointment with their mentors when they are available etc. And they expect that what you promised in terms of a campus experience will be delivered—sooner rather than later.”
There is huge demand for personalization and this has made so many colleges and universities understand the benefits of an Opensource CRM strategy and adopt it. An effective Education CRM strategy breaks down those institutional silos and enables institutions to deliver a seamless experience, from enrollment to advancement, from the moment students set foot on campus.
I know what you’re thinking: That all sounds great — in theory. But investing in a technology that promises to create efficiencies within your system and getting faculty and staff to adopt that technology and use it to its best advantage on campus is a whole different ball game. They still need to learn an entirely new system, and training is just one more professional requirement on what, in all likelihood, is a very full professional plate, especially at this time of year.
SuiteCRM Integration in Education CRM domain
It is easy to get your faculty and staff on board with your upcoming Education CRM integration. Here’s a tip: Rather than focusing on what the technology will do for the institution, help employees in specific departments understand how your investment promises to make their lives easier.
A few examples:
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Recruitment and Financial Aid
CRM integration software gives recruitment and financial aid officers complete access to resources across the entire student life cycle. Administrators can see how many students apply for financial aid; consult individual students’ academic history and progress; and track students as they move through the system, ensuring students have access to the kinds of resources and tools needed for academic success.
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Enrollment and Advising
Enrollment officers can access student information to determine whether prospective students meet requirements for enrollment or transfer. Comprehensive academic reports let advisers immediately determine what courses or prerequisites are required for existing students to achieve their academic goals.
- Advancement
Armed with data from across the institution, advancement personnel can cultivate more specific relationships, reaching out to new and existing donors with confidence. Keep track of donor prospects, know their interests, and know when and how to contact them and access historical information — including a list of previous gifts and donations — that could help establish, or reestablish, a personal connection.
Are you looking out for SuiteCRM solutions for your educational institution? What are you waiting for ? Call our SuiteCRM Experts from Fynsis and step forward in your business journey.
