From campus to cloud: how cloud solutions elevate higher education IT

Empowering IT departments through cloud technology

Over recent years, the adoption of cloud delivery solutions and remote application access has surged in higher education institutions. The education sector is facing increasing pressure to modernize infrastructures, improve efficiency, and support a growing demand for remote learning. Cloud computing has become a well-adopted solution for managing these challenges, enabling higher education institutions to deliver critical resources and applications while reducing costs and boosting operational efficiency.

In this article, we will explore how cloud solutions are reshaping IT strategies in higher education, the benefits of cloud computing for institutions, and best practices for institutions looking to optimize their cloud implementations.

The pandemic’s role in accelerating cloud adoption

The rapid shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the importance of flexible and scalable IT infrastructures. Students, faculty, and staff expected uninterrupted access to learning platforms, administrative tools, and student services, regardless of location. For universities and colleges, this meant adopting solutions at an unprecedented pace.

Platforms like AppsAnywhere, and cloud technologies such as Microsoft Azure and AWS, empowered institutions to quickly scale resources to meet the increased demand, and the education sector has since found these services reliable year-in-year-out in ensuring seamless delivery of learning materials through virtual labs, lecture recordings, and software applications.

Hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments, which involve using a combination of cloud providers, or cloud and on-premise combinations, have become particularly popular, allowing institutions to maximize performance while managing costs effectively.

Key benefits for IT teams: scalability, cost savings, and flexibility

1. Scalability to meet changing demands

One of the most significant benefits of cloud computing for IT teams is the ability to scale resources as needed. Higher education institutions often experience fluctuating demand for computing power, particularly during peak times like registration or exam and course submission periods. Cloud platforms enable IT departments to increase capacity quickly without the need for significant hardware investments. This elastic nature of cloud computing ensures that institutions can handle increased workloads without compromising performance.

2. Cost efficiency and predictability

For institutions looking to control costs, cloud computing offers a more predictable financial model. Traditional on-premises infrastructures require ongoing investments in hardware, software, maintenance, and personnel. By moving to a cloud-based infrastructure, IT teams can reduce these costs, as cloud service providers handle much of the maintenance and support. Instead of large upfront investments, institutions only pay for what they use, allowing them to scale their operations efficiently.

Of course, not all cloud technologies are made the same. While VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) helps with some of these issues, it comes with highly unpredictable, and quite high consumption costs. When a user launches a virtual desktop, they stream the entirety of the software estate, only to use Word or Excel. This inability to predict software usage, coupled with sky rocketing costs from VDI providers, makes virtual desktops unsustainable for the sector. Cloud Delivery with the power of AppsAnywhere helps reduce expenses by only launching apps in the Cloud when it absolutely necessary. So, while your cost remains unpredictable, the consumption reduces significantly.

3. Flexibility to support hybrid and remote learning

Cloud delivery solutions enable students and staff to access applications from anywhere, making it easier for institutions to support hybrid and remote learning environments. IT teams can deploy cloud-hosted software direct to users’ browsers, allowing students to access applications from any device, regardless of their physical location or device power.

For example, applications that previously required high-performance on-campus computers, such as engineering or design software, can now be accessed via the cloud. This flexibility has become essential as institutions move towards more hybrid learning models. It offers students a consistent experience whether they are on campus or studying remotely, whether they are using a high-powered managed device or an underpowered personal laptop, or vice-versa.

Enhanced experience and data security

1. Facilitating collaboration across groups and locations

Cloud-based platforms provide centralized environments for collaboration, making it easier for faculty, students, and staff to work together. Platforms such as AppsAnywhere, cloud-storage solutions such as OneDrive or Google Drive, and cloud-hosted Learning Management Systems (LMS) collectively allow users to access software, share documents and participate in real-time discussions, regardless of their physical location.

IT teams can further enhance collaboration by integrating cloud services with other essential tools such as email, video conferencing, course and student management software. This creates a unified ecosystem that simplifies communication and streamlines workflows for staff and students, and can provide a 360˚ profile, of student's needs, experiences and performance.

2. Strengthened Cybersecurity and Data Protection

As more universities and colleges are transitioning to cloud-first strategies, there is an increased demand for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), which makes software delivery more efficient and effective for institutions.

Collecting, managing and interrogating sensitive data safely remains a top priority for institutions, especially as insights are key in student success and retention. Cloud service providers invest heavily in security, offering advanced features such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and automated threat detection. These solutions ensure that data is protected both in transit and at rest.

For IT teams, cloud computing reduces the burden of managing security updates and patches, as cloud providers handle this process automatically. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of vulnerabilities and ensures that the latest security protocols are always in place.

Best practice for cloud implementation in higher education

CIOs and IT teams looking to optimize their cloud strategies should consider the following best practices:

1. Adopt a multi-cloud strategy

Leverage multiple cloud vendors to offer a rounded learning experience to students. Each cloud provider has unique strengths, and a multi-cloud approach allows institutions to capitalize on integrating features of each platform. AppsAnywhere integrates its Cloud Delivery with popular cloud-storage solutions such as OneDrive and Google Drive and can be accessed through leading Learning Management Systems (LMSs) such as Canvas and Blackboard. This provides a consistent, unfragmented and flexible learning environment for students, faculty and staff.

2. Utilize vendor resources and partnership opportunities

There is a growing trend in IT procurement to choose vendors who can partner with institutions on long-term strategies, and provide value-add, as opposed to transactional relationships. With shrinking budgets and internal resources, vendors allow institutions to leverage their expertise and manpower and become extensions of their teams. AppsAnywhere works exclusively in education, with a mission to do more of the heavy lifting for institutions. The latest of their software delivery methods, Cloud Delivery, comes with a suite of pre-packaged and maintained software, freeing up time, resources and effort for institutional IT teams.

3. Focus on security and compliance

Implement strong governance frameworks to manage data security and ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR and other data privacy laws. Cloud service providers offer powerful tools for security control and robust security protocols. AppsAnywhere’s 360º platform allows institutions to immediately deploy critical software updates, meet cybersecurity standards, enforce ‘latest version only’ policies, and ensure license conditions are met by revoking or restricting access instantly.

4. Invest in automation and monitoring tools

Use cloud management platforms that provide real-time insights into costs, performance, and security. Automation tools can help optimize resource allocation, while monitoring tools ensure that performance levels meet institutional needs. AppsAnywhere Analytics within the AppsAnywhere admin console shows usage trends on how and when your applications are being used via Cloud Delivery, highlighting trends in usage to reduce. AppsAnywhere’s Smart Prioritization also helps to automate how software is delivered to the student’s device, ensuring that the most cost-effective option is used while offering the best experience possible.

Leading the future of higher education IT with cloud solutions

For education institutions, the shift to cloud delivery solutions is seen less as a temporary fix but more of a long-term strategy. Cloud technologies offer unparalleled scalability, cost efficiency, and flexibility when compared to traditional methods of on-site hardware such as servers, storage and networking components. This makes cloud technologies a critical component of modern IT infrastructures within the education industry.

As the sector continues to evolve and student demands for remote learning increase, IT leaders must embrace the potential of cloud computing to create a more agile, secure, and collaborative learning environment for students, faculty and staff.

By developing thoughtful multi-cloud strategies, enhancing security protocols, and leveraging the full power of cloud tools, higher education institutions can ensure they remain at the cutting edge of digital transformation.