Blog.
End-of-Life Announcements and the Inevitable Move to the Cloud
In the higher education and enterprise software world, there’s a quiet shift happening—unless you’re paying attention. End-of-life (EOL) announcements for on-premises software are accelerating, and while some vendors are subtle, others are quite blunt: the cloud is no longer a “maybe.” It’s a “when.” What Does End-of-Life Really Mean? When a product is labeled as ... End-of-Life Announcements and the Inevitable Move to the Cloud Read More
Reimagining the SIS: Reflections from Ellucian Live 2025
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Ellucian Live in Orlando, where I was invited by the company to join the event. The extra sunshine was a welcome treat—especially after a long winter—and as always, it was fun to catch up with old friends, make new connections, and enjoy long conversations with fellow analysts ... Reimagining the SIS: Reflections from Ellucian Live 2025 Read More
New Gartner SIS Quadrant: Who’s In and Who’s Not?
Gartner’s latest Higher Ed SIS Magic Quadrant just dropped last week. It’s been a while since they’ve done one—maybe a decade? If you haven’t seen it yet, some vendors have purchased distribution rights, so you might be able to download it for free. I always enjoy looking at magic quadrants. They’re iconic—instantly recognizable and always a great ... New Gartner SIS Quadrant: Who’s In and Who’s Not? Read More
Discover Weak Links in Your Tech Stack Using the Network Tool
Selecting the right technology for your institution can be challenging, especially when there is no straightforward way to compare your decisions with peer institutions—until now. Our new Network Tool offers unparalleled insights into your tech stack, enabling you to benchmark your systems against similar institutions and identify potential weaknesses. Table of Content 🔍 What Does It Do? By ... Discover Weak Links in Your Tech Stack Using the Network Tool Read More
The Rise of Chatbots in HigherEd: How AI is Transforming Student Support
Over the past decade, chatbots have steadily made their way into higher education, but their real impact has only become clear in recent years. Institutions are now using AI-powered chatbots to improve student support, streamline administrative tasks, and enhance engagement like never before. A Slow Start, Then a Boom In the early days, chatbots in ... The Rise of Chatbots in HigherEd: How AI is Transforming Student Support Read More
HR Systems in HigherEd: The Shift to Cloud and the Battle for Market Share
Managing people effectively is at the heart of every higher education institution—whether it’s hiring top faculty, tracking payroll, or ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. But as colleges and universities grow in size and complexity, so do their HR needs. We observe the following trends in the HigherEd HR market: With shifting demands, the HigherEd HR ... HR Systems in HigherEd: The Shift to Cloud and the Battle for Market Share Read More
Understanding Upgrades in the Education Technology Market
When analyzing the education technology market, we often focus on two key indicators: market decommissioning (when institutions phase out a product) and new implementations (when institutions adopt a new system). These trends help us gauge customer satisfaction and vendor success. However, there’s another crucial factor that often goes unnoticed: how institutions move within a vendor’s product lineup—a process we call upgrading. ... Understanding Upgrades in the Education Technology Market Read More
IT Priorities for HigherEd Institutions in 2025
The sustainability of IT systems is central to the security and governance of HigherEd institutions. As campuses face increasingly complex operational demands, investment in strategic IT priorities has become imperative. These projects not only protect institutional data but also ensure the seamless operation of academic and administrative processes, providing the infrastructure necessary for collaboration, innovation, ... IT Priorities for HigherEd Institutions in 2025 Read More
North American SIS HigherEd Market Share – January 2025 Update
As the year 2025 just started, it’s the perfect time to revisit the dynamic landscape of the North American Student Information System market. Our last analysis in September 2023 highlighted emerging trends and notable shifts in the SIS HigherEd ecosystem. This update delves into how the market has evolved over the past sixteen months, showcasing key developments. ... North American SIS HigherEd Market Share – January 2025 Update Read More
IT Staffing Comparison: Higher Ed and K-12
In today’s educational landscape, the role of IT staff has never been more critical. From supporting research-intensive universities to managing devices in K-12 classrooms, IT teams ensure the technology backbone of institutions runs smoothly. But how do staffing levels differ within higher education or school districts? An IT staffing comparison reveals the factors driving these ... IT Staffing Comparison: Higher Ed and K-12 Read More
The State of the LMS Market in 2024: Trends in K-12
Key Takeaways: The Learning Management System (LMS) landscape for K-12 schools in North America has undergone remarkable changes in the last few years. Driven by factors such as the pandemic and funding surges, the market has seen rapid evolution. With 9,658 LMS implementations across the United States and Canada in our database, digital learning platforms ... The State of the LMS Market in 2024: Trends in K-12 Read More