If you’re running a small college, you already know that technologies shape the entire student experience, drive enrollment and define an institution’s efficiency. The student information system (SIS) is often at the center. If that system is outdated and disconnected, everything suffers—student engagement, administrative effectiveness and even financial stability.
A decade or more ago, many smaller colleges and universities made a major investment in a SIS. Many of those systems are still in place today, held together by patches, manual workarounds, and IT teams trying to stretch outdated technology well beyond the intended lifespan. Now, these schools are at another crossroads. Their SIS is aging out or approaching end of life and replacing it will be a completely different experience—one that should be transformative, not burdensome.
The Hidden Costs of Outdated Systems
Older SIS platforms fundamentally don’t align with the way colleges operate in a digital-first world. Students now expect access to everything, instantly, on any device. Clunky portals and limited mobile functionality turn simple tasks into headaches. Integrating modern solutions with these legacy on premise solutions is cumbersome and limited - making it difficult to have clear views into institutional data. These friction points directly impact retention resulting in student disengagement. Decade-old SIS platforms make staff spend long hours on manual data entry, troubleshooting errors and wrestling with systems that weren’t built for modern institutional needs.
Getting to a Competitive Advantage
A modern, cloud-native SIS designed specifically for smaller or midsized institutions fundamentally changes how the institution operates, giving it the agility to compete. Whether it is a small faith-based institution, a regional public university, community college or a private college - the need to support the modern student experience is critical. It is no longer enough to expect that your SIS can effectively register a student or manage their account- it must be a holistic solution that is centered on student success.
Unlike the past generation of systems, where massive on-premise infrastructure were the norm, today’s multi-tenant SaaS solutions provide continuous innovation without the burden of expensive maintenance or disruptive upgrades. Automatic updates ensure compliance with changing regulations, while seamless integrations with other tools create a connected campus. Implementation of this technology cannot take years, require a large financial investment and consume large amounts of staff resources. It should be predictable, scalable and agile to enable your users to adopt a new platform and return to delivering value to your students.
Mobile-first design, real-time data updates, and self-service capabilities meet students’ expectations without unnecessary friction. They can register, pay tuition, adjust schedules and engage with advisors from anywhere, at any time. Access to information with an easy-to-use portal experience is critical for students to meet their educational goals.
Staff and admin enjoy automation that eliminates repetitive tasks, freeing up time for higher-value engagement with students. Instead of spending hours reconciling data or managing cumbersome workflows, administrators can focus on student support, strategic enrollment initiatives, and financial planning. Blending core student data in the SIS with augmented student success tools like early alerts, care teams, and personalized messaging through email and text drive improved student retention.
Future-Proofing Your Institution
This isn’t just a software decision. It’s a long-term strategy for sustainability, growth and student success. The next SIS your institution selects will define how effectively it operates for the next decade or more. This is an opportunity to move beyond outdated systems, eliminate inefficiencies and deliver the experience that students expect in a digital-first world.