In the age of digital transformation, educational institutions are facing an imperative question: how much are they really spending on their on-premise Student Information Systems (SIS)? For many Senior IT leaders, understanding the annual costs of running such systems is critical for strategic planning, especially when considering the pivot to cloud-based solutions. 

In an era where technology underpins almost every facet of the educational landscape, the spectre of cyber threats looms large over institutions of higher learning. From social engineering attacks to sophisticated ransomware, educational institutions are increasingly finding themselves in cybercriminals' crosshairs. 

In the orbit of higher education, the Student Information System (SIS) is akin to mission control. It orchestrates academic life, from admissions and course enrolments to grading and alumni tracking. But what happens when this central system no longer meets the growing needs of an institution? With the sands of technology constantly shifting, universities face the daunting decision of whether to migrate their SIS or maintain the status quo.

As businesses evolve in the digital ecosystem, the cloud becomes a cornerstone for efficient operations, scalability, and innovation. However, making the leap brings challenges and objections, especially when considering moving the biggest and, arguably, hardest of them all - your Student Information System.

1. Identify the current pain points: First, identify the current challenges with the existing on-premise student information system. This could include issues such as limited scalability, high maintenance costs, limited accessibility, slow system response time, etc. 
2. Determine the cloud benefits: Research and identify the potential benefits of moving the student information system to the cloud. This could include scalability, lower costs, higher availability, enhanced security, improved performance, and better accessibility. 
3. Evaluate cloud service providers: Research and evaluate different cloud service providers that offer hosting solutions for student information systems. Consider factors such as pricing, reputation, security measures, service level agreements, compliance, and customer support. 
4. Determine the cost of migration: Determine the cost of migrating the student information system to the cloud. This should include any costs associated with licensing, data migration, customisation, training, and ongoing support. 
5. Develop a migration plan: Develop a detailed migration plan that outlines the steps required to migrate the student information system to the cloud. This should include timelines, responsibilities, and milestones. 
6. Identify risks and mitigation strategies: Identify potential risks associated with the migration to the cloud and develop mitigation strategies to address them. This could include risks related to data security, compliance, system downtime, or performance issues. 
7. Outline the expected benefits: Outline the expected benefits of moving the student information system to the cloud. This should include both qualitative and quantitative benefits, such as improved system performance, reduced maintenance costs, enhanced accessibility, and improved user satisfaction. 
8. Prepare the business case: Prepare a comprehensive business case that includes all the information gathered during the previous steps. This should include a detailed cost-benefit analysis, ROI projections, and a comparison of the current system versus the proposed cloud-based system. 
9. Present the business case: Present the business case to key stakeholders, including senior management, the IT department, and any other relevant departments. Use compelling data and visuals to help them understand the potential benefits of moving the student information system to the cloud. 
10. Monitor the migration: Once the decision to migrate has been made, closely monitor the migration process and make adjustments as needed. Ensure that all stakeholders are informed about the migration plan and the expected timeline, and provide regular updates on progress. 

By following these steps, you can develop a strong business case for moving your on-premise student information system to the cloud, and ensure a successful migration that delivers real benefits to your university. 

The role of the Academic Registrar covers a vast array of responsibilities, but your main day-to-day concerns would typically be focused on the following key areas: 

Tribal's Dan Barrass explores the role of Registrars in Student Information Systems - including the key considerations, concerns and benefits of moving to the cloud.