Higher Education - Braintree

Higher Education

In today’s dynamic educational landscape, universities and colleges grapple with numerous challenges, spanning student engagement to administrative efficiency. Microsoft Dynamics 365 has a proven track record of being able to tackle these complexities head-on, optimising enrollment, enhancing student experiences, and streamlining administrative tasks.

Amidst challenges in higher education, student registration demands speed and efficiency. Yet, outdated systems hinder progress. Partnering with Braintree, leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365, offers innovative solutions for seamless operations and student satisfaction.

Academic administration

Dynamics 365 leverages Power Apps for custom academic apps, while Power BI provides data analytics for informed decision-making, enhancing academic administration.

Campus maintenance

Dynamics 365 Field Services aids in maintaining campus facilities, ensuring they're well-maintained for a conducive learning environment.

Human resources

Dynamics 365 for HR facilitates employee management, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation, ensuring the institution's human capital is optimised.

Resource efficiency enhancement

Dynamics 365's supply chain capabilities optimise procurement and resource allocation, reducing costs and improving resource management.

Enrolment and student services

Dynamics 365 Sales and Marketing modules streamline enrolment processes and marketing campaigns, ensuring prospective students are efficiently onboarded and engaged.

Effective planning and operations

Visio Plan, a part of Microsoft's suite, aids higher education by simplifying complex data into visual diagrams. It's used for academic program structuring, project workflows, and campus layout designs, enhancing communication and decision-making for universities and colleges.

“Before, student acquisition would take nearly 90 days. Now, it’s almost instantaneous and the cost associated has been reduced by 90 percent.”—Dr. Riaan Steenberg, Executive Director, Eduvos

Eduvos faced challenges such as fragmented reporting, manual processes, lack of integration and limited visibility across its 12 campuses.

The institution needed a unified platform to manage the entire student lifecycle, from enrolment to graduation. They chose Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure to streamline and automate its sales, finance, marketing, customer service, human resources, and academic functions.

Capabilities and benefits of Microsoft Dynamics 365 in Higher Education

Data-driven decision-making

Dynamics 365’s analytics and reporting tools provide real-time insights into various aspects of the institution, from student performance to financial data. This data empowers administrators and faculty to make informed decisions, optimising academic programs, improving resource allocation, and identifying areas for improvement.

Efficient student management

Dynamics 365 simplifies enrolment processes, making it easier for students to apply, register for courses, and manage their academic records. It reduces administrative workloads by automating routine tasks like generating student IDs, issuing transcripts, and managing admissions. Enhanced student management leads to improved student experiences and satisfaction.

Personalised student engagement

Dynamics 365’s CRM capabilities enable higher education institutions to manage student relationships effectively. It integrates with M365 and Teams for communication and collaboration, streamlining student engagement.

Cost optimisation

Dynamics 365 streamlines resource allocation and procurement processes, helping institutions reduce operational costs. Automated workflows for procurement, budgeting, and financial management improve efficiency and accountability, ensuring that resources are used effectively.

Integrated collaboration

Dynamics 365 seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), providing a unified platform for communication and collaboration. Faculty and students can easily collaborate on projects, share documents, and communicate through tools like Teams, improving productivity and facilitating remote learning.

Scalability and adaptability

Dynamics 365 is highly scalable and can adapt to the specific needs of different higher education institutions, whether they are small liberal arts colleges or large research universities. Its flexibility allows institutions to customise and expand their Dynamics 365 implementations as they grow or evolve, ensuring long-term suitability and value.

Our Clients

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Microsoft Dynamics 365 addresses various challenges in the higher education industry

Rising costs

Escalating tuition fees and operational expenses strain both students and institutions. Dynamics 365's financial management tools can help institutions optimise resource allocation, reducing operational costs.

Student debt

Mounting student loan debt poses financial burdens on graduates. By enhancing student engagement and providing insights for academic success, Dynamics 365 can contribute to improved graduation rates, potentially reducing student debt.

Enrolment and retention

Fluctuating enrolment rates and student retention issues affect revenue and outcomes. Dynamics 365's data analytics can help institutions identify at-risk students and implement strategies for retention and student success.

Technological adaptation

Keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology and digital learning trends is a challenge. Dynamics 365's integration with Microsoft 365 promotes digital collaboration and enables institutions to keep pace with technology trends.

Global competition

Higher education institutions globally compete for students, faculty, and research opportunities. Dynamics 365's CRM and marketing modules help institutions engage prospective students and enhance their global visibility.

Diversity and inclusion

Ensuring equitable access and fostering diverse campus environments are vital but challenging. Dynamics 365 can facilitate communication and support services for a diverse student body, promoting inclusion and equity.

Quality assurance

Maintaining academic standards while expanding access and program offerings is a delicate balance. Dynamics 365 can support academic program management, ensuring compliance with quality standards and accreditation requirements.

Resource allocation and budgeting

Efficiently allocating resources and managing budgets is challenging. Dynamics 365 offers financial management tools that enable institutions to optimise resource allocation, reduce wastage, and enhance budget control, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved financial sustainability.

Remote and online learning

With the increasing demand for remote and online learning options, institutions need a flexible and integrated platform. Dynamics 365, along with Microsoft 365, provides a comprehensive solution for digital learning and collaboration. It supports faculty in delivering engaging online courses and facilitates seamless communication and content sharing among students and educators.