Low code and no code platforms provide ways to create applications through graphical user interfaces and configuration rather than the traditional practice of software developers writing lines of code. In his latest blog, Jason Pyle shares how these platforms are expanding application development and capabilities in higher education.

Higher Digital President Joe Gottlieb sat down with Nicholas Eremita, the Vice President of Enterprise Planning and Strategic Enablement at Southern New Hampshire University and Jason Pyle, the Vice President of Digital Integrations and Architecture at Higher Digital.

As part of their digital transformation strategy, many institutions are currently either considering or executing a Student Information System (SIS) migration or reimplementation (i.e. an SIS project)—even during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Enterprise Architect (EA) plays a key role in making the decision between a migration and reimplementation.  Additionally, the EA will play a key role in each stage of an SIS project, from selection of the right product to ensuring a successful project. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed strengths and weaknesses of higher education business continuity planning. All institutions have been impacted, with most likely mired in implementing and revising their business continuity plans. An enterprise architect can help map essential business processes, systems, and services necessary to continue operating and serving students, faculty, and staff.

Southern New Hampshire University—one of the fastest growing universities in the nation—needed to integrate the disparate components of a newly modernized IT stack and better align IT and executive leadership. SNHU selected Higher Digital to spearhead an ambitious digital transformation initiative, resulting in the creation of SNHU’s Enterprise Service Bus, a platform of shared services.

Your decision to hire an Enterprise Architect or bring one on as a consultant means that your institution is ready to think of IT as providing business value rather than as an organization that simply keeps the lights on for the institution.

Part 2: The Skills of an Enterprise Architect – in which we explore the skills that one should look for in an Enterprise Architect.  They have a wide swath of responsibilities, goals, and authority, depending on the institution’s requirements as well as the basic skills and interests of the person who is filling that role.

As part of the next phase of digital transformation, institutions and Information Technology (IT) departments will need to understand their entire architecture and be responsible for overseeing a consistent investment toward improving their digital experience and ecosystem.