Transforming higher education timetabling with cloud-native SaaS
AptoNow’s AI-assisted timetabling software is the world’s first cloud-native platform for academic scheduling. Being “cloud native” gives our platform distinct advantages over other systems, even those that have since been converted to the cloud but are still built on legacy infrastructure. Here, Tom O’Connor, co-founder of AptoNow, discusses the benefits of cloud-native SaaS platforms to higher education providers in Australia and beyond.
Cloud native SaaS platforms are quickly becoming the go-to solution for higher education institutions in Australia looking to improve their technology infrastructure and streamline operations. These platforms offer a variety of benefits, including increased scalability, cost savings, and improved security.
Scalability: Cloud native SaaS platforms are designed to scale up or down as needed, so universities can easily add or remove resources as their needs change. This is particularly important for Australian higher education institutions, which often experience fluctuations in enrollment and need to be able to accommodate a larger student population without incurring significant additional costs. According to a study by Deloitte, 80% of Australian universities reported an increase in online enrollment over the past year, highlighting the need for scalable solutions.
Cost Savings: Cloud native SaaS platforms are typically more cost-effective than traditional on-premises solutions. They eliminate the need for universities to invest in expensive hardware and software, and they can also reduce the need for IT staff, as many of the maintenance and security tasks are handled by the provider. This is particularly beneficial for Australian institutions, as the cost of IT infrastructure and staff can be high in Australia. A study by the University of Queensland found that moving to a cloud-based solution resulted in a cost savings of over $1 million per year.
Improved Security: Cloud native SaaS platforms are built with security in mind, and they often include built-in security features such as encryption and multi-factor authentication. This can help Australian universities protect sensitive student data and ensure compliance with regulations such as the Australian Privacy Principles (APP) and Higher Education Support Act (HESA). According to a study by the Australian Cyber Security Centre, 71% of universities in Australia have experienced a cyber attack in the past year, highlighting the importance of improved security measures.
At AptoNow we are helping our partners move to cloud-native systems. With the benefits that SaaS solutions offer, we want our customers to have greater capacity to focus on their core missions of education and research, without dropping so much effort into maintaining legacy IT infrastructure. We look forward to hearing from you and helping your team design and implement the right system.