Higher Education Technology Transformation: Solutions for Campus-Wide Innovation

When digital transformation is mentioned, it’s not surprising that many higher education leaders cringe. Stories about big expenditures, budget overruns, technology that underdelivers, and unforeseen problems are common. Consider this: the market for digital transformation across sectors now exceeds $2.2 trillion annually with a—shocking—88% of organizations reporting they have failed to achieve their goals.

The stakes are high, especially as budgets tighten, so procurement teams and higher ed tech experts must work together to overcome these odds.

It can be done.

California State University is a system of 23 campuses with nearly half a million students. Modernizing its ERP and student information systems represented a complex shift. The right solutions and the right partners, however, delivered substantive outcomes. CSU lowered operational costs by 33% and improved performance by 30%. They saved $4.5 million in computing costs and avoided another $2.8 million in annual operational expenses.

How did they do it? By employing a few key strategies when evaluating technology for higher education. We’ll explain how, but first let’s define the core components of campus-wide higher ed tech.

Undergoing Campus-wide Technology Transformation

Widespread overhauls are not a single project. They involve a large number of stakeholders and must support a variety of users, needs, and outcomes. Here are some of the most common types of technology for higher education being deployed.

Academic Technologies

Students expect flexible, tech-enabled learning environments. Universities and colleges are investing in:

• Learning Management Systems (LMSs) that support in-person, hybrid, and asynchronous learning
• Virtual labs and interactive classroom tools that drive engagement
• Lecture capture systems and content management that improve accessibility and retention

Research Infrastructure

For institutions focused on research, higher ed tech is critical for competitiveness and collaboration. This includes:

• High-performance computing (HPC) and AI for data-intensive research
• Secure cloud storage and data repositories for sensitive or collaborative research
• Advanced software environments to support specialized disciplines and cross-department projects

Student Services and Engagement

Students today expect seamless, digital-first support. Institutions are employing:

• AI-powered chatbots for 24/7 support.
• Mobile apps that connect students with campus life, schedules, alerts, and services.
• Digital advising and registration tools to simplify planning and improve retention.

Administrative and Operational Technologies

Behind the scenes, efficient operations rely on modern systems, such as:

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for finance, HR, and student records
• Facilities management systems that support sustainability goals
• Cybersecurity platforms to protect institutional and personal data

Data and Analytics

Real-time insights help institutions make better decisions. Leading campuses are leveraging:

• Predictive analytics to identify at-risk students
• Operational dashboards for enrollment, budgeting, and staffing
• Business intelligence tools to guide leadership with data-backed strategies

All of these areas must be built on a robust, resilient IT infrastructure that manages systems efficiently and securely.

So, How Did California State Handle Campus-wide Integration?

CSU made three specific decisions when planning for technology for higher education:

1. They aligned their tech solutions with university initiatives and focused on student success.
2. They looked at transformation as a holistic solution rather than an isolated piece of higher ed tech, ensuring tight integration and interoperability.
3. They partnered with tech companies that understand the unique culture and constraints of higher education.

The lessons learned can help guide your campus innovation. Other best practices include:

• Involving key stakeholders early: Bring in faculty, IT, procurement professionals, and other stakeholders during the evaluation process to ensure relevance, usability, and buy-in.
• Ensure data security: Higher ed institutions, especially research-based universities, are prime targets for hackers. You cannot afford anything less than industry-leading security.
• Compliance: Tech partners must understand the unique needs of colleges and universities when it comes to compliance.
• Establish KPIs: Track and review benchmarks with higher ed tech suppliers to make sure you’re getting the results you’re paying for.

Leveraging Cooperative Agreements for Cost Savings with Top-Tier Suppliers

Using cooperative contracts can save you considerable time and money. In many cases, you can reduce procurement costs by 10–15% by leveraging cooperative agreements from E&I Cooperative Services.

E&I is the only member-owned, nonprofit sourcing cooperative that focuses exclusively on the education sector. With a team of higher-ed procurement professionals and dedicated experts in education technology, E&I competitively solicits technology suppliers with a proven track record in serving higher ed.

Leveraging the aggregated demand of more than 6,000 member institutions, E&I achieves significant volume discounts that even the largest institutions cannot achieve on their own. With E&I, you get streamlined procurement, contracts tailored for higher education, and built-in compliance.

Ready to connect with top-tier technology partners for campus-wide success? Find the higher ed tech you need and save time and money with E&I Cooperative Services, or apply for membership to mitigate your risk at significant discounts.